Signs of the End Times? Rebuilding the Temple

By Dianne E. Butts –

This year we have looked at prophecies that might be signs of the End Times and might be coming true right before our eyes. As we finish this series, let’s look at the prophecy that fascinates me most: The Temple in Jerusalem.

It took a long time for me to learn that the Tabernacle/Temple is a picture of God’s plan. It pictures how we unholy humans may approach the one holy God. It pictures the work Jesus Christ would do when He came that reconciles us to God.

I’ve also seen the Temple as a barometer measuring the health of Israel’s relationship with God. When Israel’s relationship with God was going well, the Temple was thriving. When Israel’s relationship with God was troubled, the Temple fell into disrepair. When Israel rejected God, the Temple was destroyed.

Currently the Temple does not exist, not since the Romans destroyed it in 70 AD. I believe that is because Israel, meaning the Jews in general as a whole, has rejected Jesus the Messiah. Like the Temple, their relationship with Jesus is nonexistent.

What does the Temple in Jerusalem have to do with prophecy and the End Times?

In the End Times, the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt as indicated in Scriptures:
• Daniel 9:27
• Daniel 12:11
• Mark 13:14
• 2 Thessalonians 2:4
• Revelation 11:1-2

According to the booklet 101 Last Days Prophecies published by Eternal Productions, “The prophet Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John all refer to the temple in the last days. Therefore we know it must be rebuilt” (p. 14).

Also according to the booklet and to Daniel 9:27, 12:11, and Matthew 24:15, the Temple sacrifices will be reinstituted in Israel in the last days (p. 14). “Daniel foresaw the Antichrist ending the daily sacrifices. Therefore the Jewish sacrificial system must have first been restored in the last days” (p. 14).

In order for the sacrifices to be performed, the articles and equipment have to be in place, including bowls, forks, pitchers and many more items. Do you know all the items needed for the Temple to perform its functions have already been created?

That’s right. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has been working for years creating the items needed, to their exact specifications. They are ready to go. Except for the Ark of the Covenant. There is only one of those…and if it survived the centuries, God surely knows where it is. All that is needed is the building to be built. Or wait…

Is it possible the tent–Tabernacle could be used? If yes, and if it has been created, is it possible the Tabernacle could be erected in a day and sacrifices could begin this afternoon?

Google the Temple Institute to see photos of the articles that have been created to be used in the actual rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. Do you think the fact that everything needed to begin the sacrifices in the Temple currently exists, unlike the centuries since 70 AD, is a sign we are in the End Times?

If we are in the End Times, are you ready? If you’re not sure, please don’t wait any longer. Pray a prayer like this: Dear Jesus, I do believe Your death on the cross paid for my sins. I want to live with You forever in heaven. Help me find people who can help me grow in my understanding of You. Protect me from false teachings and give me discernment to know Your Truth. Teach me how to live for You from this moment forward. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Signs of the End Times? One World Government and Religion

By Dianne E. Butts –

Do you think the world is moving toward a one-world government? Bible verses like Daniel 2:40-44, 7:23, and Revelation 13:7-8 indicate that there will be one government over all the world in the End Times. Many Bible scholars believe this will be the Roman Empire, newly revived. The Roman Empire encompasses present-day Europe, and many believe it will dominate the world.

According to the booklet, 101 Last Days Prophecies published by Eternal Productions, “The European Union has steadily moved forward in its attempt to unite Europe politically and economically. It has succeeded in creating a European parliament, a court, and a common currency. And globalization is not unique to Europe, it is happening everywhere” (p. 4).

Where Americans once thought we were protected from what happens in Europe by a vast “pond,” September 11, 2001, pretty much erased that idea.

Prophecies also predict that in the End Times there will be one world religion. I don’t know whether most people in the world will be “forced” into one religion or if most people will voluntarily be part of this one-world religion. As if you can really force a person’s heart and mind to believe something. Actually, you can only force someone to do something physically. Either way, this End Times religion will not be focused on Truth. There is only one Truth. And Jesus is it. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). You don’t have to agree with me that Jesus is the Truth, but in the end, the truth about that will be known.

Scripture verses such as these speak of this one world religion:

“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

“He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed” (Revelation 13:12).

Today, as never before, we are seeing religions joining hands together citing “peace” and “tolerance.”

Do you think the “ecumenical” movement is part of this? What is “ecumenism”? According to dictionary.com it is, “the aim of unity among all Christian churches throughout the world.”

If you have not already answered this question for yourself, now would be a great time to think about it. If you were alive to see a world power forcing people into one government or one religion, which side would you take? Would you go along with those in power so as not to cause trouble or to not bring trouble upon yourself? Or are you so convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the one sent by God to take the penalty for your sins, that nothing could change your mind? Even if your life was threatened? If you’re not sure of the answer to that question, please take time to investigate His claims and decide now. Don’t wait any longer.

I’ve already investigated. I know that Jesus is the Savior, and that no one goes to the Father God in heaven except through the death of Jesus for their sins. I hope you’re with me. If you’re not yet, I hope you come with me soon.

Today, we are seeing signs that a one-world government and a one-world religion are definite possibilities forming right before our very eyes. What do you think? Could these be signs of the End Times?

Signs of the End Times? The World Powers Against Israel

By Dianne E. Butts –

Bible verses like Zechariah 12:6-9, Micah 4:11, and Micah 5:7-15 talk about Israel being attacked but not being defeated. These verses cause some people to watch carefully what is happening with world powers—both what is going on within them and how they are being positioned in regard to Israel.

What do you see going on in countries around the world? What do you think of it? And specifically, what do you think about what is happening with countries around Israel these days? Could what’s happening with countries being in upheaval around the world be a sign of the End Times?

I found these interesting tidbits in the booklet 101 Last Days Prophecies published by Eternal Productions:

• The Bible teaches that in the End Times the nations surrounding Israel will be united against Israel. “This has never happened in history. Yet today, Israel is surrounded by Muslim nations sworn to her destruction” (p. 11-12).
• “Since 1948, tiny Israel has been attacked in three major wars and several lesser wars. Yet despite being vastly outnumbered, they have defeated all attacking foes… An invincible Israel makes no sense—unless you believe God’s Word” (p. 12-13).
• “Israel would be partitioned by all nations (Joel 3:2, Daniel 11:39). This is another unimaginable prophecy! In 1947, UN Resolution 181 planned the partitioning of Israel. Currently, the West Bank and Gaza have been separated into Jewish and Palestinian settlements. Dividing Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria are also being negotiated today in order to create a Palestinian state” (p. 13).
• “Russia (Magog) would rise as a military power and lead an attack on Israel (Ezekiel 38). Today most of the southern states of the former Soviet Union are both military powerhouses and Muslim” (p. 15).
• “Iran (Persia), Sudan (Cush), and Libya (Put) would also partake in this attack (Ezekiel 38)” (p. 15).
• “Turkey (Gomer) would also join in the attack on Israel (Ezekiel 38). In 2002, Turkey elected a pro-Islamic party to govern the country. In 2005, Hitler’s anti-Semitic manifesto Mein Kampf became a best seller in Turkey. In 2007, Turkey elected an Islamist president” (p. 16).
• “Jesus said there would be ‘distress of nations, with perplexity’ in the last days (Luke 21:25). Today, with nuclear proliferation, global terrorism and grave ecological fears, the nations are in a quandary with no apparent way out” (p. 16).
• “Egypt would exist in the last days—but only as a ‘lowly kingdom’ (Ezekiel 29:14-16). Egypt was one of the world’s greatest ancient civilizations. Yet today, as prophesied, Egypt remains—but only as a third world nation—which will, “never again exalt herself above the nations’ (v. 15). And while God’s Word foretold of the demise of many other ancient people groups and kingdoms (which have long since vanished), Egypt remains” (p. 18)!

I hope you find these notes as fascinating as I do. They might give us both something to consider as we watch world news unfold. And they might give us insight into what is happening, where we are on God’s timetable, and what will happen in the near future. That is, if what we are seeing happening in the nations really are signs of the End Times.

Signs of the End Times? Fearful Sights of Terror

By Dianne E. Butts –

In Luke 21:11, as Jesus was telling His disciples about the End Times, He said, “There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” According to the booklet, 101 Last Days Prophecies, published by Eternal Productions, “The Greek word translated fearful is phobetron, which can also be translated terror” (p. 6).

Do you think the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, were signs of the End Times? Some people do. Have you read the book The Harbinger? It’s written as fiction, but it details events that have actually taken place in America starting with 9/11.

According to the author, Jonathan Cahn, several prophecies have occurred in America since 9/11. He bases this on one rather obscure verse in the Bible, Isaiah 9:10:

“The bricks have fallen down,
but we will rebuild with dressed stone;
the fig trees have been felled,
but we will replace them with cedars.”

Does that look like multiple prophecies to you? Well it didn’t to me at first either, but then I started searching the internet for more information. I found interviews with the author of The Harbinger, Jonathan Cahn. Then I read the book. It’s fascinating! Here’s some of what I learned:

• The day after the Attacks on America on September 11, 2001, then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle gave a speech in which, he quoted the above verse, Isaiah 9:10 in order to encourage Americans. However if you back up and read the verses leading up to verse 10, you can see it is not an encouragement but pure defiance against God. The previous verses say:

“The Lord has sent a message against Jacob;
it will fall on Israel.
9 All the people will know it—
Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria —
who say with pride
and arrogance of heart,
10 “The bricks have fallen down…(Isaiah 9:8-10a, emphasis mine).

• Three years later on the third anniversary of 9/11, then-Vice Presidential candidate Jonathan Edwards gave a speech in honor of 9/11 and he quoted Isaiah 9:10.
• A “dressed stone” was laid as the corner stone of the new building at Ground Zero.
• On the corner of Ground Zero, there stood a tree that was knocked down during the events of September 11, 2001—a sycamore (fig).
• A tree has been planted to replace the sycamore tree—a cedar.
• The church at the corner of Ground Zero was the very church where George Washington prayed dedicating America to God as his first official act as our first president. Though all the other buildings around it were destroyed, this church stands with relatively little damage, except for a crack in its foundation. Has the foundation of our nation cracked? How long before it crumbles?
• The church at the corner of Ground Zero originally owned the land on which the Twin Towers were built.
• On September 29, 2008, the Dow Jones plummeted 777 points, losing 7% of its value. Seven is the number that represents God. On the Jewish calendar every 7th year, the Shemittah year, land is supposed to rest with no crops planted or harvested and debts are cancelled. The people were to trust God with their finances. This occurs on the last day of the Shemittah year. Any guesses what the date on our calendar was of the last day of the last Shemittah year? That’s right. September 29, 2008.

There’s more, but you get the idea. What do you think? God is clearly sending us a message. Are these events signs of the End Times?

Signs of the End Times? The Blossoming of Israel

By Dianne E. Butts –

In Deuteronomy 27-30 (see 30:15-21), Moses told the people of Israel that if they lived according to the good ways God wanted them to live by, they would be “blessed” and would prosper. But if they “forgot” God, which means moving away from Him and refusing to live the good ways He wanted them to live, He would not bless or prosper them. This is because the Israelites were to represent God the world. God is good, so the people were to represent Him by being good. If they were not good, they were not representing God and needed to be removed from the land so that the rest of the world would not have a bad and wrong impression of God.

Unfortunately, Israel did indeed forget God and began to live in the same way the rest of the world was living. They did not represent God to the world, so God removed them from the land He had given them.

When Israel was taken out of the land and the people dispersed all over the world, the land became a nearly uninhabited, desolate wasteland—a picture of the condition of Israel’s relationship with God.

But the people of Israel began returning to the land after World War II, and on May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation again after nearly two millennia of being dispersed. Since then, that desolate desert wasteland has begun to blossom, just as Bible prophecies predicted. Here are two examples of those predictions:

“But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:8-11, NIV).

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.” Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the LORD have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it’” (Ezekiel 36:33-36).

Today, according to 101 Last Days Prophecies by Eternal Productions, “Israel’s increased rainfall and world renowned irrigation technology have caused the land to blossom. Incredibly, as foretold, they currently export over 1,200 million dollars of fresh produce each year, including over 100 million in flowers and ornamentals plants. Amazingly, this recently re-gathered, often attacked, tiny nation exported over 54 billion dollars worth of goods in 2010. This was inconceivable a century ago. In contrast, their neighbor, Jordan exported less than 8 billion in 2010” (p. 9-10).

Could the re-blossoming of Israel be a fulfillment of prophecy and a sign of the End Times?

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