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The Truth About The Last Days, Antichrist, The Rapture, More.
http://www.teachingfaith.com/content.cfm?id=304
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100% Accuracy of Bible Prophecies
Although the Bible is the most read and most published book of all time, many have no idea of the
astonishing number of specific and accurate Bible prophecies there are. Up to 30% of the Bible is
prophecy. Only a few of these prophecies remain to be fulfilled in the future. The rest have been
fulfilled with 100% accuracy. For example, one prophecy was written decades before its fulfillment,
when Jeremiah claimed that Israel would be taken into captivity for a period of 70 years by the
Babylonians. In another prophecy, Ezekiel foresaw the exact year in which Israel would be
established as a nation, 2,500, years before it happened.
Fulfilled Bible Prophecies
One example of the many Bible prophecies that have already been fulfilled is Daniel's description
of the sequence of world empires that would come to power, from his time until the close of the
age. Many historians were convinced that, because these prophecies were so detailed, they had
to have been written after these events occurred. When archeologists recently uncovered copies
of the Book of Daniel that predated these events, they had to re-think their conclusions. Other
fulfilled Bible prophecies include the end of the Babylonian captivity at the hands of King Cyrus of
Persia, the "suffering servant" Messiah, the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., the disbursement
and re-gathering of Israel as a nation, and many more.
Bible Prophecies About the Messiah
There are dozens of specific Bible prophecies in the Old Testament that pertain to the arrival of
the Savior of Israel. All of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. These Messianic
prophecies contain details about His birthplace, His ancestors, the exact year of His "triumphal
entry" at the Temple and His execution. It is said that the life of Jesus fulfilled over 300 Bible
prophecies concerning the first coming of the Christ, as a suffering Messiah.
Last Days Prophecies
There are several events mentioned in the Bible that are related to the "end times" or "last days."
These last days events include the revival of the Holy Roman Empire, the confirmation of peace
agreement that establishes Israel's right to exist as a nation, increasing wars and rumors of wars,
an increase in earthquakes, famine and disease, false Christs and prophets, the rise of a global
dictator supported by a worldwide religious system, the appearance of two supernatural witnesses
and a great rebellion against God. Many of these prophecies do not have specific dates attached.
However, Jesus said that when we see "all of these things" taking place we can know for sure we
are the final generation living before the end of the age. (Mark 13: 29-30)
Why Study Bible Prophecy?
Why is studying Bible prophecy so important? To begin with, the Bible stands alone among all
other ancient or modern books. There is no other book with such an extraordinary amount of
prophetic evidence. The only plausible explanation is divine revelation. Anyone who is skeptical,
but diligent to investigate Bible prophecies and their fulfillments, can determine whether the Bible
is God's Word.
Also, Bible prophecy is the way God warns us of the great calamities that lie ahead. The single
generation on Earth that is alive to see "all of these things" taking place may begin to wonder how
the Earth can still exist after so much destruction.
In addition, many prophecies are directed at those who have not yet drawn close to God for the
protection, comfort and salvation He provides. He doesn't want anyone to perish. He loves you,
and wants you to repent and obey the gospel, so that you can be restored to the loving
relationship with Him for which you were created.
Biblically Significant World Events
Our future is directly and personally impacted by biblically significant world events, and the impact
these events have on the future. The Apostle John clearly declares that these prophecies are
meant to be studied and understood, when he writes, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God
gave Him to show His servants --- things which must shortly take place....Blessed is he who reads
and those who hear the words of this prophecy..." (Revelation 1: 1, 3) [NKJV] There is only one
book that helps us have the correct view of these things. It contains the final chapters of the
history of the world. Contemporary events set the stage for events that will cause men's hearts to
fail from "fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth..." (Luke 21:26)
[NKJV]
Major Bible Prophecies Unfolding Now
Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your
coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3) [NKJV] He replied by listing a series of
specific events that would immediately precede his return. Jesus told His disciples to look for an
increase in the number of false teachers claiming to represent Him. He explained that religious
confusion, wars, epidemics, droughts, famines and earthquakes will increase just before He
comes back. (Matthew 24:3-10) The Apostle Paul describes specific end-time events that would
occur just before Jesus' return in 2nd Thessalonians and 1st and 2nd Timothy. Additionally, the
book of Revelation is a systematic outline of end-time events.
The Third Temple
Observant Jews pray three times a day, always turning toward Jerusalem. Today, many nations
seem to consider it their responsibility to intervene in the politics and destiny of Jerusalem, a city
which has become the center of world attention. Jerusalem will become a global burden.
Zechariah reveals that Jerusalem will become "a very heavy stone for all peoples...though all
nations of the earth are gathered against it." (Zechariah 12:3) Jerusalem will be "trampled by
Gentiles" for three-and-a-half years, (Revelation 11:1-2) and, possibly only as few as one third will
survive the Great Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8). This will happen after the daily sacrifices are "taken
away" (Daniel 8:11). For the sacrifices to be "taken away," they would have to have been already
instituted. Animal sacrifices have not been practiced, and there has not been a Jewish temple in
Jerusalem since 70 A.D. Several Orthodox groups, nevertheless, have been preparing to re-
establish the animal sacrifices prescribed by Jewish ritual law. Jews in the town of Mitzpe Yericho
are currently preparing for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, by training descendents of
Cohanim (priests) and Levites for service.
Revival of the Holy Roman Empire
A Bible prophecy foretells that a confederation of ten nations or groups of nations, with historical
links to the ancient Holy Roman Empire, will arise in Europe just before the return of Jesus Christ
(Daniel 2:40-43). On December 1, 2009, fireworks, music, and official speeches welcomed the
new European Constitution in Lisbon. Jo Leinen, a senior German Social Democrat Member of
European Parliament, called December 1 a "day of joy" for those who wanted to build a federal
United States of Europe. This confederation of nations will surrender their sovereignty to a strong
political leader called "the beast," or Antichrist. (Revelation 17:12-13). He is described as "having
fierce features, who understands sinister schemes... Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to
prosper under his rule..." (Daniel 8:23,25) [NKJV]
One-world Religion
The Antichrist will come to power with the help of a global religious leader, the false prophet. The
false prophet will deceive the world with miracles (Revelation 13:13). He will use interfaith
activities in an effort to reassemble the fragmented "Christian" churches under his authority
(Revelation 13: 11-12). The Parliament of the World's Religions 2009 met in Melbourne from
December 3rd through December 10th, 2009. It was a gathering of approximately 5,000 religious
leaders representing every major faith around the world, including Shintoism, Hinduism, Jainism,
Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, Sikhism, Buddhism and the Australian Aboriginal
community to promote "peace, diversity and sustainability."
Prophecy Study Preparation
We are living at a time when the fulfillment of end-time prophecies is accelerating. Minute details
of what we see happening to individuals, cities and nations prove to have been foretold thousands
of years in advance. This gives us a solid reason to put our faith in the God of the Bible. Jesus
said, "And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe."
(John 14:29)[NKJV] We are entering a dark time in human history, a time of great deception. While
many live in fear of the "end of the world," we have "the prophetic word confirmed, which you do
well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place..." (2 Peter 2:19) [NKJV] The study of Bible
prophecy prepares us for what is coming and protects us from deception. Every world system is
set up to prevent us from understanding what God is doing, immediately preceding the return of
Christ, "but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those
of the people who understand shall instruct many." (Daniel 11:32-33)[NKJV]
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Brinegar
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The Truth About The Last Days, Antichrist, The Rapture, More.
http://www.teachingfaith.com/content.cfm?id=304
==== ====