'Last days' are imminent
Pastor Dale Morgan
'Last days' are imminent*
Jonathan Falwell points to Middle East, urges prayer for Jerusalem
Posted: June 22, 2008
This week, the Associated Press reported that a recent Israeli military
exercise may have been intended to show the nation's abilities to attack
Iranian nuclear facilities.
The International Herald Tribune called it a "major military exercise"
that "appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on
Iran's nuclear facilities," with more than 100 F-16 and F-15 fighters
joining the maneuvers over the eastern Mediterranean earlier this month.
The reason for this training mission is Israel's belief that Iran is
attempting to build nuclear weapons that could be used against it. Iran
– whose president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has vowed to wipe Israel off the
face of the earth – counters that its nuclear enrichment facility is
simply meant to generate power for the nation.
There is no doubt that the drama is mounting in the Middle East, and the
eyes of the world are again focused on this volatile region.
As a Christian, I look at these reports with thoughts geared on biblical
prophecy, which foretell of an invasion against Israel during the "last
days." Most specifically, Ezekiel 38:16 forecasts the following: "You
will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. …"
There has been ongoing speculation as to who all of these nations are
that will rise up against Israel in this future event. One thing is
certain, as Dr. Ed Hindson of Liberty University has pointed out: "They
are united in their determination to destroy Israel."
And so, as wars and rumors of wars persist in the Middle East, we are
reminded that the Bible appeals to Christians to "pray for the peace of
Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6, NKJV).
As an aside, note that the Bible twice recounts occasions when Jesus
cried. We see that He "wept" when told of Lazarus' death (prior to
raising him from the grave) in John 11:35. And then we see that Jesus
was also driven to tears in Luke 19:41 as He approached Jerusalem. The
passage says, "As He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it."
My friends, if Jesus loved Jerusalem this much, should we not be taking
seriously our responsibility to pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
especially in these perilous times?
I believe that the prophetic "last days" are rapidly approaching. As
Christians, we are instructed to be about the works of the Father while
there is still time (John 9:4).
And at such a time as this, we must also heed the Savior's words: "Now
when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28).
While the world continues in unrest and the future sometimes appears
bleak, this Scripture passage gives us the ultimate hope. Our faith is
not in vain. Our Savior will one day return to right all wrongs and
claim His children unto Himself.
Until then, remember those great words from Luke: "Look up!" For one day
we will "see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory" (Luke 21:27).
NOTE: I referred to Dr. Ed Hindson in this column. I am happy to report
that after experiencing a near fatal infection following heart surgery
that Ed returned home last week and is undergoing therapy to boost his
strength and stamina. He has told friends and family that he plans to
teach at Liberty this fall. Ed, one of our nation's most eloquent Bible
and prophecy scholars, has been a longtime friend of this ministry and
my family. I fully believe that his greatest ministry is yet to come.