Who Really Knows What Is Happening?
By B.J. Rudge, Ph.D.
There are many end-time scenarios being portrayed in movies, documentaries, and even "scientific" journals that are causing confusion and fear. Many believe the world will end December 21, 2012. But be assured, the world will not end December 21, 2012. However, we are about to witness the fulfillment of Revelation in our lifetime.
Newspaper and magazine headlines, as well as television, radio, and Internet news confront us almost daily with accounts of carnage from terrorism, war in the Middle East, global economic upheaval, potential worldwide spread of plagues and disease, threat of a nuclear holocaust, devastating natural disasters and out of control weather conditions, and so on. All of this is prompting many people to ask questions such as, "Are we nearing the end of the world?"
A growing number of people who have little or no biblical understanding are being exploited by sensationalism and end-time hysteria. In fear and confusion they are searching for answers in a variety of sources. Some look to astrology, fortune-tellers, psychics, or selfproclaimed prophets. Others look to the Mayan Calendar, Nostradamus, or New Age mystics. And still others look to scientists, newscasters, or politicians. But only God truly knows the future.
Only God knows the end from the beginning –– that is why only the Bible reveals an accurate end-time scenario. In Isaiah 46: 9, 10 God proclaims ––
And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God –– I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me. Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
The amazing insight and accuracy this ministry has had over the years comes from Scripture, which is the only reliable source of end-time prophecy. That is why we will only put our trust and confidence in the biblical scenario –– compiling insight from Revelation, which is the capstone of prophecy, and the many other prophecies throughout the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.
For almost 2,000 years there has been no reasonable possibility for the literal fulfillment of Revelation –– it all seemed like science fiction or mythology. As a result, many gave it a spiritual fulfillment or said it was fulfilled in AD 70.
Thirty years ago there were dozens of prophecies concerning the Tribulation period that had no potential for fulfillment. Today, you would be hard pressed to find even one that does not have the potential to be literally fulfilled in our lifetime.
Since only God knows the future we must go to Him and His Word to acquire an accurate end-time scenario. Let us not only be diligent to study the Bible, our only reliable source of end-time prophecy, but may we also trust the Author of Scripture with our lives and future as we look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
If we really are the generation to see Revelation fulfilled, then we should see undeniable signs indicating that our society and world is moving toward the direction described in Revelation and other end-time biblical prophecies. And that is exactly what is happening. So in future newsletters we will examine these amazing prophecies that are being fulfilled or are on the verge of being fulfilled.
