Soap Box

All my life I have heard good Christian people say that the time for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ was at hand, that the signs of His coming were appearing and that His return was imminent. These statements were made in total sincerity and good reason.

When He was on earth Jesus said that no man knew the day of His return, that only God the Father knew. But Jesus did not say that we wouldn't recognize the season, in fact He encouraged us to look for the signs and be ready for His return, which would take place quickly like "a thief in the night".

A major sign of the second coming and something that had to happen was the rebirth of the nation of Israel, which happened in 1948. So much of the last days prophecies take place in and around Jerusalem and the final battle involving Israel and an army numbering in the hundreds of millions takes place on a huge flat plain in Israel known as the Valley of Megiddo which in Greek is Armageddon.

The Bible speaks of a time when Israel will stand alone, surrounded by armies. Practically, the only friend Israel has is the United States and, truly in my heart I do not believe that Barack Obama is a friend of Israel. I know he repeats the platitudes and says the slogans but he seems to equate the nation of Israel equally with band of murdering terrorists like Hamas that is dedicated to the total destruction of Israel.

So Israel could well "stand alone" when the time of the final battle comes.

Where does that leave America? Actually it leaves us in the unenviable position of defying a promise God made to Abraham when He told him He would make him the father of a great nation,

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse� � Genesis 12:3

America has blessed Israel since it's inception in 1948 and America has prospered as no other nation on the face of the earth and turning our backs on Israel in her time of need is tantamount to bringing a curse on our nation.

The Bible speaks of a day when the world and society would be "as in the days of Noah", when the taking of life was rampant and morality was all but unknown.

Look at the world today, the murder and persecution of Christians in Islamic controlled countries is common place, Mexico is controlled by drug cartels, unwed pregnancy in some sectors is over fifty percent of the birth rate, Russia is in the process of reconstituting at least part of the "Evil Empire�, America's profligate spending has mounted a national debt we may well never pay, television channels pour out vile trash twenty four hours a day and millions of unborn babies are murdered without remorse every year.

The Bible speaks of pestilence and as I write this, the worst outbreak of Ebola the world has ever experienced is taking place, not to mention the other myriad of antibiotic resistant viruses that are springing up around the world.

Am I predicting?

No I'm only observing, and in my humble, personal opinion the pieces are falling into place that will bring about the season of prophecies the Bible speaks about when the antichrist will appear and bring about a seven-year period known as the Great Tribulation.

There are three schools of thought on the return of Jesus as it relates to the period of the great tribulation.

Before the tribulation - Pre Trib
Halfway through the tribulation - Mid trib
After the tribulation - Post trib

As for me, I make no statement to back or refute any of these three beliefs as they have been researched and held by people I have a great deal of respect for.

I don't know when all this will take place, but as one who has heard that the second coming was at hand all my life, and believe with all my heart every prophecy in God's word, it is my conviction that all the pieces could come together very quickly and the beginning of the end could commence most any time.

One very important point to remember, the antichrist will not have a set of horns or a tail. On the contrary, he will be viewed at first as a man of great peace, an international problem solver who holds the key to the world's most perplexing problems.

Only after three and a half years of prosperity will he show his true colors and unleash hell on earth.

Nor do I believe the mark of the beast will be some disfiguring brand or garish tattoo but possibly a simple implanted microchip which will enable the wearer to buy, sell and carry on daily life, but it is also a one way ticket to hell as the Bible says.

The Bible says to watch and pray.

What do you think? 

Pray for our troops and the peace of Jerusalem.

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels