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We are warned that perhaps when reinforcement will be needed for Christians, scoffers will raise their heads, and telling folks they are off base, by anticipating the coming of Jesus..
I am not saying the rapture is or is not in the near future..but we should be watching for the season to approach.
We are told in (2 Peter 3:3,4) that scoffers will arise, trying to throw a wet blanket on Christians who are looking forward with anticipation.
Yes, there have been scoffers, ever since Jesus' resurrection..saying "no way that can happen"..
They have had an open field for their mockery... until the last hundred years or so. Let's take a look..
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Amos said that Israel would be reborn (after 2000 years) . He said it in (Amos 9:15), scoffers have said that no nation has regathered after being scattered for 2000 years..why should Israel be different?
..But many of us witnessed that new nation come into being.
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Isaiah said Israel would again become a nation ..and be "born in a day". (Isaiah 66:
Modern Israel was reborn in a single daay..5/14/48.. ..And as could be expected, they were attacked the very next day !
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In (Revelation 11:7-9) we are told that two witnesses for God will be slain in the street..and the whole world would see them lying there dead.
Scoffers laughed..saying.."How could the whole world see them lying in the street in Jerusalem" They laughed, until just a few years ago, when satellite TV came about !
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It was predicted in (Matt 24:14) that the gospel would be preached in every nation. There are presently 195 nations in this world, scoffers have laughed, doubting that every nation would or could be reached..
Todays radio and telecommunications, have reached every one of those nations.
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Jesus said some would doubt His deity.. One of many verses (John 14:7-11)
... Now we see some who do just that..
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Ezekiel tells us in chapters 38 & 39, that in th elast days, an alliance would form between Russia and some of the middle eastern nations..with the aim of ending Israel. In the first few verses of ch 38..he names names, and that alliance is taking shape, even now.
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Today we see the world divided as perhaps never before. We see it here in the US.. It is quite obvious that people have chosen sides, concerning nearly everything! Everything to do with politics, God, freedom vs an all-powerful government..and most other important questions.
News observers who travel the world, say this is true, not only in the US, but over the whole world.
We were warned aboutthat in (luke 12:31-33)
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Yes, the world is divided now, in many ways, but He promises He will separate the "sheep from the goats"..
See (Matt 25:31-33)
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There is no need for Christians to get all worked up, but He says to comfort in "the signs of the times", and cheerfully look forward to His return (Titus 2:13) (Phil 3:20) (1 Cor 1:7)