Ripe

The world is ripe for the very specific events that the Bible describes the last generation before Jesus returns in power seeing with their own eyes. We live in a time that is very unique in world history. Daniel was given a ton of information about the generation that would see the Lord return, but he was also told this information wasn't for him, it was for that time when it would be understood:


Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”


I believe we are living in the time Daniel was given the message for. With the advent of the internet, this is the first time in human history that knowledge is basically instant and global. People certainly run "to and fro" not just traveling, but living lives at a frenetic pace. Understanding of the Daniel prophecies is quite telling, if we are willing to look at what Daniel was told and hold it before the Lord.


One subject Daniel was given the most information about was the person, the nature, and the political power base of the antichrist...the man who would try to "be Jesus" to the world. Antichrist's man-centered plan to be the savior of the world will actually result in a massive unleashing of evil, as the real, currently invisible, Jesus lets mankind get what they really want: freedom from God.


Daniel was given several visions that all centered on where the antichrist would come from. One of the most telling is in Daniel 7, where Daniel is told of four successive kingdoms that would control Babylon and trample Israel. They were Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and then a fourth very different empire. This empire would be a last days "confederation" of 10 nations. The antichrist, and 11th "different" leader, would rise up after these nations had been established for a while. This "arrogant guy" from somewhere else would uproot three of the "kings" from their roots. Daniel was told the antichrist, a regional leader, would literally be responsible for changing the character of the politics in three of the 10 important middle eastern nations before he came into global power, which would be symbolized by brokering peace in the middle east through a promise of protecting Israel for 7 years in exchange for Her making peace with these very same neighbors he was in cahoots with. Daniel was told the whole thing would come about by "intrigue" with what was happening behind the scenes causing much confusion to the world.


Daniel 7:6-8 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.


The angel explained this vision to Daniel like this:


Daniel 7:19-25 “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.


Right now, we can see how this sort of political scenario could come about. The world works in a much different way than it has for the last 6,000 years. Because of technology and a push for a more global approach, we see much intrigue in the dealings of nations in the middle east. In fact, the "Arab Spring" that has been working it's way through the middle east has literally changed the nature of politics in some of the major countries of the middle east.


What started in Tunisia as a demonstration by one man setting himself on fire has been co-opted by an organization called the Muslin Brotherhood to "Islamicise" the entire area. The Muslim Brotherhood is committed to the raising up of a revived Islamic Caliphate, or government of Islamic nations based on the Sharia, or Koranic laws. They have been WILDLY successful. Backed by major nations like NATO treaty nations, and very highly supported by the United States, who has been supplying support to resistance "democracy" fighters in the area, the Muslim Brotherhood has taken over in Egypt, Libya, and is now working very hard to get a seat of power in Syria.


This is the sort of scenario that Daniel was told would be the intriguing dynamics through which the antichrist would consolidate power. It may not be actually happening yet, but the world is certainly ripe for this to happen soon.


Daniel was told of a promise for this generation that would see Jesus return in power:


Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.


In this intense generation, there is great trouble for the world, but there is great opportunity for the Church. Those who will know the time they live in and respond with wholehearted zeal for God...an "all-in, one thing do I desire" attitude for Jesus... WILL lead many to righteousness. This is an invitation for one generation. This is why Jesus said WATCH!

Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.