“I am encouraging people to pay attention to prophecy. Prophecy is history written in advance. It’s God’s revelation regarding history, in advance, and God has given us signs of the times that are converging in our own day.”
Bible scholar Ron Rhodes believes that the fulfilment of multiple prophecies point to the approaching of the end times.
“It would be significant if just one prophecy was being fulfilled today, even more significant if just two prophecies were being fulfilled today. But what we are witnessing today is dozens of prophecies are converging, that is the convergence factor. They are converging in our own day which indicates to me that we truly are living in the end times.”
This the convergence factor, a series of prophecies coming together and being fulfilled at the same time. He highlights three specific signs of our times that point to Christ triumphant return. Ron points to what is taking place in Israel as a sign.
“Scripture indicates that Israel would be restored as a nation after a long and worldwide dispersion. After Israel would become a nation again, God would draw His people back from every nation of the world. That has never happened before in Bible history.”
This started in materialized in 1948, when the nation of Israel was miraculously re-born.
“Since that year, Jews have been streaming back to the Holy Land from every nation of the world.”
Scripture also says that a northern military coalition will develop and launch an attack against Israel.
“Scripture defines that coalition as involving Russia, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Turkey and the various nations around the Black and Caspian Sea such as Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.”
We’re seeing those nations form alliances as we speak.
Due to technical advances, we are seeing the Gospel message reach every nation and language like no other time before. Ron says that this is a sign of the times.
“The Gospel needs to be preached to every nation before He comes again. With today’s technology, including advances in translation technology, it is more possible than ever to share the gospel with every person of every language on planet earth”
Missionaries are hard at work on translations for people groups that have never had the Word of God in writing. Podcasts, iPhones, computers and portable radios mean we’re covering the earth more than ever before with the Word of God.
What can we do in light of these signs?
Jesus has a few words for us.
“When those things start to happen, stand and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws nigh.” Luke 21:28
Seek to share your faith with others rather than compete with them. Live a life that is rich in love and fellowship, knowing that you’ll give an account for that life when Jesus returns.
Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 8:39; Psalm 139; Revelation 2:17; Job 14:5; Acts 17:26; Matthew 17:17; Colossians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 3:21
Featured Songs: The River by Jordan Feliz; Lose My Soul by Toby Mac; Unashamed of You by Chris August; Shake by MercyMe; Deeper by Meredith Andrews; Trust in You by Lauren Daigle
