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What in the World is Happening
- December 2007
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
At this time of year our hearts and minds cannot help
turning to the time all those years ago when the Saviour of the world was
born as a little baby at Bethlehem. The people of Israel were told in the
Bible, where, [Mic 5:2], even to explaining that it was Bethlehem
Ephrathah , as there were two Bethlehem's and God wanted to be exact. They
were told how [Isa 7:14] and why [Isa 53: 7-8], when [Dan 9: 25-26] and
where our Lord would live and work [Isa 9: 1-2 & 6-7]. One asks the
question that if the Biblical prophecies concerning the coming of our Lord
the first time are so precise then why should they not be as accurate and
literal for our Lord and Saviour with His second coming? Our minds then
move on to the time He will come again, not in a lowly stable as a little
baby but as the king to rule the world in righteousness. If we ask
ourselves the same questions we come up with some relevant answers.
Where: Quite simply a very straight forward answer; The
Mount of Olives [Acts 1: 11-12], [Zech 14: 4-5]. We are told that every
eye will see Him. [Rev 1: 7]. No doubt many television cameras and
reporters will be in Jerusalem at the time He returns, due to all the
events happening at that time. And every eye will see Him, just as
millions saw the destruction of the twin towers and many other news items
which people have watched world wide. Maybe the Lord will be visible world
wide anyway in all His glory, as He appears in the Heavens with Hs army.
How: There are several places telling of how Christ the
Messiah will return, this time as King. [Zech 14: 1-9], [Rev 19: 11-21].
Ezekiel gives a detailed description of our Lord's return to Jerusalem,
not lowly and riding on a donkey [Zech 9:9] [Matt 21:1-9], but as King and
Lord. [Ezek 43: 1-8]. It is interesting to note that the Eastern gate of
the Temple was to be closed [Ezek 44: 1-2]. This has been bricked up for
over 500 years and we are told it will remain closed until it opens for
the Lord to pass through.
When: Jesus said to His disciples; But of that day and
hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. [Matt
24:36], and [Acts 1:7-8]. However the Bible show's us a few pointers.
To start with there will be a preliminary visit by our Lord, to catch up
and meet those that are saved, in the air [1 Thess 4: 13 to 5: 4]. These
are those who are born again [John 3: 3 - 18], and make up His saved ones,
the believing Church. Then after about seven years our Lord will come as
the promised Messiah, the Jewish people will recognize Him as the promised
Messiah and the one they pieced and be converted [Zech 12:10]. He will
return to the Mount of Olives as promised. In Matthew 24 Jesus told His
disciples a number of ways they could recognize when this time is upon the
Church. Space does not permit us to cover everything that Jesus told them
but it is interesting to see that many of the happenings listed not only
in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 but elsewhere in the Bible such as the
prophecies contained in Daniel, Zechariah and Ezekiel are beginning to be
fulfilled. One of the major fulfillments is of course the return of the
Jews to the land of Israel, and forming a nation. [Isa 66: 8]. On May 14th
1948, the nation of Israel was voted into existence by the United Nations,
in one day. Now generally in unbelief [Ezek 37: 1-14], the people will be
converted when the Messiah returns. The other fulfillment of note is the
upsurge of Europe, or a revival of the Roman Empire [Dan 2:40- 45]. Even
at this present time the European Euro is likely to replace the US$ as the
world benchmark currency due to the $US instability. The European Union,
originally formed through the "Treaty of Rome", is gaining
strength as the USA declines. As God says "The dream is true and
the interpretation trustworthy" [Dan 2: 45]. Yes indeed as we
consider the Lords first coming let us be prepared for His next. The
people of Bethlehem missed the first one although they had been told. Let
us not make the same mistake.
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Representative for the Prophetic Witness Movement International for New
Zealand, Australia and South Pacific.
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