Signs of the End

Three Signs that the End is Close

by Shira Sorko-Ram

How long will civilization continue to exist as we know it? The Lord expects us to be aware of the signs of these times, for He rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees because they just didn’t get it.

You are good at reading the weather signs of the skies…but you can’t read the obvious signs of the times! (Mathew 16:3 TLB)

I think there are some pretty clear signs in 2008.

First of all, we all know Jerusalem will be trodden down until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled. At this moment there is a monumental, agonizing struggle between a nation with allegiance to Allah and the nation of Jehovah, the God of Israel. Unfortunately, Condoleezza Rice in her final days as Secretary of State, is at the forefront to divide Jerusalem – giving the ancient Biblical part of the city to the Muslims. The Lord is counting down.

Secondly, I find that the most dramatic sign of the End Times which is soon to come is the proliferation of nuclear weapons being built by rogue states, mainly Islamic countries. Further more, many additional Middle Eastern countries are now planning to start nuclear programs. In my own mind, I have not a shadow of doubt that during this century, if not in this generation, a rage-filled tyrant of a rogue state such as Iran or Pakistan will aim its missiles toward Israel or another democratic state – which could so easily set off an international war of extinction.

However, Yeshua promised us that would not happen, because He said, “unless those days (of tribulation) were shortened, no flesh would be left alive, but for the believer’s sake, those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:22. How chilling are these words! According to Yeshua, life would actually become extinct! But that will not happen because He will return to earth to save His own.

But the clearest most unambiguous, unmistakable and understandable sign that the Lord Yeshua gave us is this simple sentence:

This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the End shall come. (Matthew 24:14)

Without belaboring the subject, God’s Word gives a special promise to stiff-necked Israel with an astounding pronouncement: “All Israel shall be saved!” (Rom 11:24)

As I have thought about the condition of America and the Western World, I have tried to imagine reasons that God should save her from utter destruction. (And this principle goes for Canada, England and the industrialized nations in general.) Through Hollywood, she has brought the worst filth and violence to the door of almost every home owner in the entire world (except maybe where the Taliban rules!!!) through the movie industry.

On the East Coast, institutions of “higher” learning have spread the religion of humanism and godlessness around the world. Wall Street has brought unimaginable riches for unrestrained, lavish extravagance – for those who have sold their souls to mammon, and who have aggressively promoted the destruction of innocents who never had a chance to live. These humanists have demeaned and desecrated the natural family by what the Lord calls abomination. Let’s just call it the simple lack of loving our neighbor as ourselves – sin that is blatant and pervasive in small towns and large. God is not lacking in reasons to let the United States of America go right down the drain.

Do you remember Ezekiel the prophet and his justification of Sodom’s destruction?

Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. (16:49-50)

But, and here is the glorious but! There ARE God’s praying people. There ARE God’s giving people, supporting ministries to every nation in the world – who are preaching the Gospel, and helping the poor and the sick and the helpless. And there ARE Christians and Messianic Jews in America holding up the standard of righteousness and being a light of service and blessing in their local area.

I believe it is this reason and this reason alone that restrains God’s wrath so that the U.S. does not become another Sodom and Gomorrah. Really, could those ancient cities have been anything like America’s cities?

But God was ready to save those two small towns if there were only ten righteous people living there. He couldn’t find them in Sodom. But He has found them – you – in America.

This Gospel must be preached as a witness to all nations. I believe this is the reason America will be saved though not without much sorrow – to finish the purpose for which God created her.

I again emphasize these principles apply to the United Kingdom, to Canada, to Germany and any other country where God’s people are doing God’s work. He restrains Himself so that these nations can bring the Gospel to the nations and His Son the King can finally come to claim His Bride!

Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram are the founders of Maoz Israel Ministries. The mission of MAOZ is: 1) To declare the Message of Messiah and make disciples in the city of Tel Aviv and throughout Israel. 2) To raise up Israeli leaders to prepare for the coming spiritual awakening among the people of Israel. 3) To educate and inform Christians world-wide of the strategic importance of Israel and the Jewish people in God’s plan for world revival. The MAOZ web site is https://www.maozisrael.org/.