Eight Compelling Reasons Why Christ Is Coming Soon aricle in USA Today Nov. 6 2009.pdf

Pastor Dale Morgan

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More options Sep 11 2006, 1:27 am

From: Pastor Dale Morgan <dgrmor...@telus.net>

Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 00:27:51 -0700

Local: Mon, Sep 11 2006 1:27 am

Subject: 8 Compelling Reasons why Christ is coming very soon!

*8 Compelling Reasons why Christ is coming very soon!*

The evidence for the soon return of Jesus Christ is overwhelming. It
could be any moment. One scholar lists 167 converging clues just in the
last few years. The following are eight:

1. Israel’s rebirth. As Jesus prophesied, the Jews were scattered during
the Jewish-Roman war of A.D. 70 (Luke 21:24). Also prophesied to occur
before Christ’s return, the nation of Israel was miraculously reborn on
May 14, 1948. Israel is called “God’s time clock.”

2. Plummeting morality. Studies show a shocking breakdown just since
mid-century (2 Timothy 3:1-4).

3. Famines, violence, and wars. Jesus said the signs before his return
would come as intensifying birth pangs, seeing increased famines,
violence and wars, a clear picture of our planet (Matthew 24:6-8). One
of six people on earth suffers from hunger. Violence is epidemic. A
study of wars since 500 B.C. shows a recent dramatic increase. More than
100 conflicts have erupted since 1990, about twice the number for
previous decades.

4. Increase in earthquakes. Also prophesized to be as birth pangs
(Matthew 24:7), a recent study shows a dramatic increase in earthquakes
worldwide, just since the decade of Israel’s rebirth. Between 1920 and
1990, a 70-year span, there were 10 major earthquakes. But in 1990 to
the year 2005, a 15-year span, we have had 13 major earthquakes."
(Associated Press) The U.S. Geological Survey data shows in 2000, there
were 22,,256 recorded earthquakes worldwide but steadily increased to
31,199 earthquakes in 2004. (WorldNetDaily)

5. Explosion of travel and education. Two key conditions described about
2,500 years ago for the Second Coming are that “travel and education
shall be vastly increased” (Daniel 12:4, Living Bible). In all of
history, the vast increase in travel has come just since mid-century
with the explosion of both ground and air transportation; in education,
with the advance of science and computers.

6. Explosion of cults and the occult. Counterfeit spirituality is
everywhere with cults and false Christs (Matthew 24:24), psychic
phenomena, spiritism, Satan worship, witchcraft, nature worship and the
New Age movement (1 Timothy 4:1). What is a cult or the occult? See
"What is a cult or the occult" Report on this website.

7. The New World Order. Increased centralization of world financial and
political power is a prelude to the soon-coming world power system in
the hands of the “Antichrist,” who will be the incarnation of Satan and
who will deceive most of the world (Daniel 7-12, Matthew 24:15,
Revelation 13). Beware of the “mark of the beast”. Beware of the Mark of
the Beast Report" on this web site

8. Increase in both apostasy and faith. The Bible predicts in the last
days, “A form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2
Timothy 3:5). Today, many churches deny the eternal truths of Scripture
and power of the Holy Spirit, replacing them with ungodly, temporal and
“politically correct” values. But also, a prophesied outpouring of God’s
Spirit is causing hundreds of millions worldwide to come to true faith
in Christ in record numbers, virtually unnoticed by the media.

The Escape Plan

Christ’s death and resurrection have opened the way to heaven and life
with the Father forever for all who put their trust in Him and His great
sacrifice on our behalf. Christ will soon come and rescue His people
from the approaching “Great Tribulation” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). He
will later rule and bring peace on earth- after He judges the world and
every person (Matthew 25:31-46).

God’s judgment is indeed coming on a world in rebellion. He cannot deny
His nature. His attributes of perfect holiness and justice demand
judgment for sin, of which we are all guilty. “For all who have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The result of sin is death, or separation from God. “For the wages of
sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Wages are something we earn, or deserve.

But “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Is “love” in conflict with “judgment”?
Answer: God’s wisdom reconciled the dilemma- the Son of God would take
all our judgment upon Himself! “But God demonstrates His own love toward
us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

To escape God’s judgment, we each must receive His free gifts of
forgiveness and love, “But the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). A gift is something we do not
earn, or deserve.

How to receive Him

In any gift exchange, there has to be giver and receiver. God has
already given us the gift, His Son; now we must receive Him. “But as
many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of
God” (John 1:12).

After the historic Day of Pentecost, when the Church was founded,
Peter’s first Holy Spirit inspired sermon convicted members of his
audience of their sins. His listeners immediately sought a way out of
their dilemma, and God mercifully provided it. "Then Peter said to them,
‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit’" (Acts 2:37-39).

We receive Him by personal invitation, (Christ speaking) “Behold, I
stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the
door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20). Do you hear His voice?

The following is a suggested prayer: PRAY: "God be merciful to me a
sinner. Receive me now for Christ's sake. Cleanse me from my sin by your
precious blood, shed on the cross for me; lead me to be Baptized and
fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to pray each day; to read Your
will for my life from your word, the Bible; and help me to worship and
serve You in the fellowship of your church. I thank you Lord Jesus
Christ. AMEN!