Any believer who is paying attention to unfolding events knows history’s clock is winding down.
Those who follow biblical prophecy and those who have their thumb on the pulse of God’s timetable know we are quickly approaching a very significant time in the history of the world. The dominion anointing brings these end times into focus.
Jesus talked to His disciples about two particular events that would herald the approach of the end times. We will call these two events “triggers” for the end times. We find the first one in Matthew 24:32–33 and the second one in Luke 21:24.
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: When its branch becomes tender and grows leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you shall see all these things, you know that it is near, even at the doors,” (Matt. 24:32-33
The fig tree Jesus mentioned is a symbol of the nation of Israel. When Jesus says that the fig tree is tender and putting forth leaves, this tells us that these events occur when the nation of Israel is young. Hosea 9:10 says, “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe [the firstfruit] in the fig tree.” Every time we see the fig tree mentioned in Scripture, it is Israel.
Joel 2:22 says, “Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.” The vine is the church. Joel is talking about a coming revival where both the church and Israel will be blessed. I believe we are drawing closer to that time.
Understanding this, we can now see that the first trigger was 1948 when, after many centuries without a homeland for the Jewish people, Israel was recognized as a nation by the United Nations. The Lord Jesus gave this prophetic word long before it happened.
Let’s look at the second trigger:
“They will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led away captive to all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,” (Luke 21:24).
The second trigger, according to Luke 21:24, occurs in Jerusalem. This verse shows that the seat of biblical Israel, the city where David set his throne, would be taken out of the hands of Israel and given over to the Gentiles for a set period of time. These events are the two biblical triggers for the end times.
The study of the end times is a multifaceted, exciting subject, and people have been trying to unravel its mysteries for centuries. As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked Him for signs. “Lord, what is the sign that will tell us of Your coming? What is the one sign for the end of the world?” (Matt. 24:3). The Lord gave them a list of signs that have been going on for a long time until we get to verse 14. In verse 14 the Lord points to something quite powerful that we often miss: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
In our current day we are having to deal with clever deceptions being touted as truth everywhere. I hear it more and more, and it is troubling to me. Some people say that God is too loving to send people to hell, so everyone’s going to heaven. Everyone is saved, but they don’t know it. But I have to go back to the Bible. We have to think about our destiny in Jesus. What will He tell us when we stand before the judgment seat?
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