My Take On The End Times (Without Using Much Scripture)

There's a reason I'm not using much Scripture in this blog post, because I don't want to get it wrong.  I'm definitely motivated by the following passage:

Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

So, why am I talking about the End Times?  Because I hear it all around me:

"The end times are being fulfilled all around us!"

"Watch carefully at what Israel is doing."

"This is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy."

OK, here's my take:  I don't immediately say that what's happening in the world is not fulfilling Bible prophecy, it likely is.  Any time something happens to Israel, it is likely that something Biblical is going on, because it's Israel, God's chosen people!

So, from one video I saw, the idea is that Israel has a rough time because Satan wants to wipe Israel off the map, that is, every single Jew.  If there are no Jews, then that means that God is a liar in saying that Jesus will return to save the remnant of Israel.  I also hear that part of the end times involves all the Jews returning to Israel.

Is all this likely?  Sure.  I just need to look it up in Scripture to make sure.  The author of that video suggested the book of Ezekiel.

Here are some other things I heard in this video:

There will be so much war and chaos, that the people of the world will cry for peace.  That peace will come in the form of a one-world government, a one-world religion (Hmm, there's a certain sci-fi franchise that preaches the gospel of a "United Earth".  In fact, Stacey Abrams herself played its president one time!)  This whole "one-world government" will be a big part of the end times.

Now, as for the Mark of the Beast (another common theme in end times discussions), first, let me lay out the given Scripture for everyone to see:

Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV)

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

I've seen other videos about it, one in which paying for groceries with your hand (There was another one about Whole Foods that I think is already doing it, but that's just your palm.) is either it or close to being it.

OK...how about an example where you can pay by showing your forehead?  I say "showing" because I don't think Revelation 13:16 is talking about a "payment method", but rather a method of identification.  Could it be a "payment method" and/or a "method of identification"?  I don't know.  Again, don't want to say yea or nay because of the first Scripture mentioned in this blog entry.

The point is this:  In the Mark of the Beast, the forehead is an option.  If a payment system or any kind of transaction doesn't even mention your forehead, it's NOT the Mark of the Beast, period, because to say that it is, and denying the option of the forehead takes away from the Book of Revelation as mentioned in that aforementioned Scripture.  It's in there!  To say that it's not is taking away from the Book of Revelation!

Now, yes, you and I should read up more on Bible prophecy, including the Book of Revelation, and compare the world's events to Scripture; it's a wise thing to do anyway (2 Peter 3:18).  Still, even if you haven't gotten to that point yet, at least do these:

Job 28:28 (KJV)

28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.