Slideshow image

A few days ago someone sent me a TikTok video claiming the end is near. The guy gave 5 reasons. Furthermore, this unknown individual (at least to me) brashly stated that Christians need to stop invoking Matthew 24:36 — -”But concerning that day and hour no one knows….” and consider the clear prophetic signs. Very well. I’m your huckleberry. To quote the iconic words of Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday.

Israel is at war.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. (Luke 21:20)

Does this mean something? Not necessarily. Israel has been at war multiple times since 1948. Oh, and though there may be multiple referents happening in this text, I am confident one of the referents is to the impending destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

The Euphrates River is drying up.

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.(Rev. 16:12)

Is this true? Yes. Though it presently is at 50% capacity, the consequence of global warming, many say. Could this be one of the signs? Again, maybe. Experts say that it might be dried up by 2040. But until it is dried up it is hard to make a strong case.

The United Nations is promoting peace and security.

While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thess. 5:3)

The bearded TikToker claims that the United Nations is the organization which the antichrist is going to head up because 1) it is global and 2) it literally says on their website that their mission is to maintain International peace and security.

Could this be the organization of the antichrist? Maybe, but it doesn’t fit the description yet. Daniel and Revelation state the organization will be a ten-nation confederacy of the renewed Roman empire. There are 193 member states currently in the UN. Could this ten-nation confederacy be symbolic? Sure. Most of the book of Revelation is symbolic. Still, the UN in its current form seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

China and Russia recently became allies.

According to our bearded friend, since the Euphrates is about dried up, 200 million mounted troops (prophesied in Revelation 16) could be mobilized anytime now. Where are these troops coming from? Russia (who some say is the prophetic Magog from the North) and China.

And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel. (Ezek. 39:2)

Now is it true Russia and China have formed an alliance? Yes, sort of. Is it true that China has the largest army in the world? Yes. Does this mean something? Maybe. But if you are interpreting the Bible literally, then their army is 197 million short. I would again head towards the symbolic interpretation at this point.

Rampant Ungodliness

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy. (2 Timothy 3:1–2)

I am pretty sure it has been this way for two millennia. But is it worse now? Maybe. Depends on your perspective.

Conclusion

Is the end coming because of the current attacks on Israel? I think the evidence is sparce. Matthew 24:36 is still the way to go. Be alert. Live on mission. Pray for Israel. Marantha.