Many of you have clicked on this site due to your renewed interest in the "end-times" following the WTC disaster. Here is what I think the Bible teaches about the sequence and timing of end-time events and how this disaster fits into the sequence. Remember, Jesus is our teacher and the only true authority. Not a one of us knows anything unless He reveals it to us through quickening of the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit. Jesus outlined the sequence and timing of end-time events primarily in two places: Matthew Chapter 24 and in Revelation Chapters 6 through 19. In terms of where we are in the sequence of end-times events, I think we are in the beginning birth pains as described in Matthew 24:8. We have not yet entered the advanced birth pains of the intense persecution of the Great Tribulation described in Matthew 24:15, which I believe corresponds to the persecution described by the fourth seal of Revelation 6. This, following Jesus' reference to Daniel in Matthew 24:15, begins at three and one-half years before the end of the age. Notice that the persecution described by the fourth seal of Revelation 6 involves the potential death of one-fourth of the world's population. We are not there yet, but we are daily drawing closer. Nor do I think that we have yet experienced even the first seal, which I believe stands for the emergence of an individual antichrist on the scene of world events. But we are in a build-up in intensity leading to this event. Notice that all of the events of Jesus' warnings of Matthew 24:4-12 are increasing in frequency and intensity, just as normal birth pains increase in frequency and intensity. The antichrist agenda is being promulgated by the nations of the world. For instance, the United States, among others, is pressing Israel to give land for peace. (We think we are on the side of Israel, but how can we be on the side of God when we are insisting that Israel give away her covenant land? We may think we are on the side of the temporary secular state, but are we on the side of God's plan for His chosen remnant? Might this even be a reason for judgment on our nation? Have we touched the apple of His eye by pressuring Israel to abandon their settlements and trade land for peace? It is God's land to give, and He has given it in eternal covenant to Israel.) The birth pains described by Jesus in Matthew 24:8 will increase in frequency and intensity until the birth takes place. Who or what is being birthed? The birth is the Sons of God for which all groaning creation awaits. You can see this reflected in the emergence of the saints in Revelation 7:14 from Great Tribulation having washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. Intense persecution has been the fiery crucible of purification. For those of you who are not Christians (and perhaps some who are), this must seem like raving lunacy. To you I can only say, seek to personally know Jesus, Who is truth. The WTC disaster was a birthpain. WW2 was a birthpain. Vietnam was a birthpain. Please reflect on Amos 3:6, "If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?" Disasters we might otherwise think are God's wrath are His judgments designed to bring us to Him, that we might come to know Him and be saved. We have not yet seen His wrath. When we do, it will make all that has come before --- including the events of September 11 --- look miniscule. But for now, we are under His increasing judgment. However, these judgments are redemptive in nature. The Bible says that when God pours out His judgments, the people learn righteousness. May it be so. The Bible also indicates that there is a suffering for righteousness sake and a suffering because of sin. What of this are we to know in the lives of those who perished? Only God knows. The Bible says God only disciplines those He loves. Ultimately, whether this is a suffering for sin or for righteousness sake, it is a discipline or judgment designed in part to conform us who are left alive to His likeness because He loves us. Remember also that Job was a righteous man, but God allowed Satan to collapse the house on all of Job's children. God will use Satan to discipline His children. Remember Peter.
This site contains a full length prophetic book concerning the destiny of the Church at the end of this age as taught by Jesus, Who is the only true authority. It is offered totally free for viewing on-line or downloading as you wish. My intent in offering it is to spread, as widely as possible, the message that we, the Church, are being deceived by humanistic, man-pleasing end-times doctrines that try to convince us that we will soon be raptured when Jesus told us to plan to endure to the harvest at the very end of the age. Read it and decide for yourself who is telling the truth.
A message of glory and victory for the overcoming Church. . . a cross-centered look at end-time events as Jesus taught them to His disciples (i.e., us!)
The nature of the race the Church is called to run and finish at the end of this age involves evangelization of the entire world, the ultimate defeat of Satan (by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and by loving not our lives unto death), the glorification of God by allowing the demonstration of His wisdom of the Cross to the powers and authorities in heavenly places, and in the process to be transformed into the spotless Bride of Christ. The books of Revelation and Daniel clearly indicate that the final decisive lap of this race will be run during the last three and one-half years of this age. How can we, the Church, rise to this call if we are not here? How can we endure to achieve this destiny if we do not have vision of that destiny, and if we are being taught that the next event on the end-times calendar is the rapture of the Church?? We cannot. Without vision, we will perish. Perhaps that is why Jesus said that many will fall away and the love of most will grow cold. Church, wake up!! We need to start listening to the greater end-times teacher: Jesus. Throw out your man-pleasing humanistic doctrines and listen to what the Son of God has to say about the role of His Church at the end of this age!
If you're interested in spending some time in this material, may I invite you to the larger domain site which has more search capability and features as well as a Spanish translation of the first eight chapters.
Part 1: Restoring The Vision
Part 2: Timing and Sequence of Key Events
Part 3: Identification of Key Groups
As of March 1, 2001, "Restoring the Vision of the End-times Church" has been published and should be available through your local Christian bookstore with the following ordering information:
Title: Restoring the Vision of the End-times Church
Author: Vernon L. Kuenzi
ISBN: 1-929451-01-6
Publisher: Preparing the Way Publishers, Salem, OR
Suppliers: Ingram Books, Spring Arbor Distributors
It can also be ordered at Amazon.com and at Armageddonbooks.com at
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