There’s A Storm Coming!

by Paul Benson

As a Christian I have never been very bashful about using the term ‘New-Ager’ to describe (in a negative fashion) those caught up in the deceptive narrative of what has come to be referred to as the ‘New Age Movement’.

The doctrines and philosophies of that mind-set are certainly rife with error (much of which is actually quite Antichrist); and we could spend a great deal of time examining those errors. But instead I would like to point out something they are absolutely correct about.

There definitely IS a New Age coming!

And thus, as a firm believer in the truth of God’s Word which promises this coming new age, I suppose I would have to honestly confess to my own status as one of those dreadful new-agers! There! I finally said it! I am a ‘New-Ager’! (I feel so much better now!)

But what I am really concerned about here is: Are you and I, as followers of Christ, really believing (and living like) we are on the cusp of the dawn of this new age?

A Planet Interrupted!

The Holy Bible declares quite distinctly that the day is coming when God will once again cleanse the Earth as he did in the days of Noah. Whether or not people choose to believe or accept it as fact, another world transforming purge is coming. Only this time it will not be raining water. The prophesied cleansing agent this time will be FIRE!

A lot of folks seem to have a disconnect with the Scriptures in regard to this coming Judgment. Many have embraced the false doctrines popular among today’s supposed Prophets and Apostles who, instead of teaching of a coming time of great tribulation followed by the outpouring of God’s wrath, promote a scenario where the Church rises up and takes dominion of the globe ushering in an age of prosperity and peace. A world steered into peaceful waters with the Church at the helm. A pretty picture but alas a false vision.

Others fall back into a state of unbelief concerning what the Word of God says about the matter. They can not comprehend surviving such a devastating transformation to this planet. Destroyed by fire!?! How could we make it through that? Where would we live? But just as the righteous made it safely through the wrath of Noah’s day (without a rapture taking them off to Heaven I might add), and found themselves dwelling in a new and vastly different world, so shall we in the dawn of this ‘new age’.

I sometimes wonder what it was like in Noah’s day when those first drops of rain began to fall. It had never done so before; and to the people it had to be an incredible event to see dpops of water fall from the sky. In their God rejecting unbelief they would not have associated it with God’s wrath. They would have seen it as a strange but natural phenomena. Curious at first; and then disconcerting as it progressed and intensified. Then finally the horror of the realization they were in the grips of an event that would bring absolute devastation and loss of life upon them.

Jesus compared the onset of the coming ‘storm’ to birth-pangs (Matthew 24:8). Birth pains start with milder pains that increase in intensity as time passes. In the days ahead mankind will experience this same progression of savvy as to the fate befalling them. When it begins it will be somewhat of a curiosity to observe phenomena hitherto unseen. The world will wonder at the events beginning to unfold unaware of the tragic end that awaits them. For a time it may seem these things are little more than strange happenings which are causing disruptions and inconveniences to society. But…

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:25-26

Then the day will come when it will appear the universe has thrown a curve ball at our planet. Strange events will occur (just as prophesied) in the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars! Great signs and wonders in the heavens that we have never witnessed before will reek havoc with life as we know it. Events so terrifying they will cause men’s hearts to fail them for fear looking upon these things!

These freakish happenings in the sky, as well as unbelievable natural disasters occuring on Earth (coupled together with the societal upheaval caused by major wars and the resulting rise of global tyranny), will truly be a time of great tribulation.

And, as we study what the Scriptures teach on the many astounding events that lead up to the final outpouring of wrath the world will see at the Return of Christ, there is a reoccurring theme evident in these events: FIRE!

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1

We see the repeated mention of fiery judgment throughout the prophesies of the end-times and the Coming of Christ. In his book ‘Ezekiel’s Fire’ by John Little from Omegashock.com makes a very compelling case for a devastating solar flare as part of the end-time scenario. It’s FREE at his site; and it is quite an interesting read. (Plus he soundly rebukes the pre-trib rapture myth which I thoroughly enjoyed!)

The Redemptive Heart Of God

Although there are many similarities in the Bible’s description of the days of Noah and the last days of this age there are also quite a number of dissimilarities. From reading the biblical account of the Flood it appears that other than the preaching of Noah (and his building of the Ark) the populous received no additional warning of the Judgment about to fall. In the prophesies of what will befall mankind in the end of this age we see a rather different picture,

The Father’s goal and desire is the redemption of those who will respond to his offer of salvation. Over and over humanity will be (and even now are) given a call to repentance in the final days. And as this call to turn to righteousness is left unheeded that call will grow stronger. And stronger! AND STRONGER!!!!!

And this call to repentance is two-fold in that not only is it a demand for the world to repent and come to God in faith, but also a demand to the professing followers of Christ that they separate themselves from the world and it’s corrupt system. Only those who draw near to God in holiness, truth, and steadfast commitment (things most believers of this day seem to think are optional) will escape the strong delusion the unrepentant religious will succumb to.

There’s a fork in the road coming folks! And many false signs will have a multitude taking the wrong road fully convinced they are following the way of the LORD!

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Thessaloniabs 2:10-13

Only to the truly righteous who walk in a holy manner will the Hi-way of Holiness that leads to glory be revealed. All others will receive the delusion that damns the souls of those who love their sin above the will of God.

Though many (especially pre-tribbers) would scoff at the notion of the time of great tribulation being a purge of the Body of Christ this is indeed a scriptural reality. We would do well to judge ourselves now, and avoid the need of pruning later! …the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (Rev. 19:7).

God’s Perfect Patterns

Many like to use the Feasts of the Lord to teach on end-time matters; and well we should; for they are given to us as a pattern of God’s progressive plan of redemption in Christ Jesus. The spring Feasts were fulfilled perfectly in Christ’s first Coming to give his life on that Cross and all the associated events of that week. The fall Feasts will also be perfectly fulfilled in the events of his Second Coming.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1Peter 1:13

Something many seem to miss (quite possibly in a willful ignorance) is that in the biblical keeping of the Feasts the time from the start of the Feast of Trumpets to the Day of Atonement (ten days later) was called not only the Days of Awe, but also the Days of Repentance. It was a time of great introspection when God’s people examined themselves very deeply to ensure they were cleansed from sin and were walking in a proper manner to partake of the grace of God expressed at the Day of Atonement. The verse above from Peter fits this image perfectly. We are awaiting the fulfillment at Christ’s Revelation (not seven years earlier!) of what the Feast day call the Day of Atonement was a type and shadow of.

The true New Testament reality will always fit the pattern of the Old Testament types and shadows. False doctrines (like the pre-trib myth) will never quite sync with these patterns. They must be noticeably twisted out of shape or totally ignored to teach falsehood. We need to recognize that fact; and see it as an aid to discerning true teachings from false.

Ignoring The Tens

Students and teachers of Bible prophesy place a great deal of emphasis on the number seven (for good reason) but seem to ignore the importance of the number ten in Scripture. I feel this is because the spiritual truths associated with the number ten run contrary with the mind-set of escapism that has captivated the greater share of Christianity.

Throughout the Bible the number ten is associated with times of trial and testing. It is a fascinating study. I associate the coming time of tribulation (and the beginnings of sorrows that precede it) with those ten Days of Repentance which began at the first trumpet blast of the Feast of Trumpets. And also with the ten plagues which separated God’s people from the Egyptians and preceded their departure. A pre-trib rapture fits neither of these biblical patterns. But a prolonged time of testing and purging for the Church leading up to Christ’s Return certainly does!

When You See These Things

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Matthew 24:33

Jesus did not set dates, and neither should any of us if we want to hang on to any semblance of credibility. Many a preacher has marred his ministry by falling into the foolishness of predicting the exact time of fulfillment of prophesy.

We are not to look for dates but for actual events to transpire!

Why don’t we heed the words of our Lord? He said when you see these things. If you study out exactly what things he said to be looking for, and then keep a watchful eye out for those things, you will be looking for the fulfillment of end-time prophesy in a biblical and obedient manner! (And you will stay free of the shame and condemnation that befalls date-setters when their predicted date comes and goes!)

And many of the things we are told would transpire in the end of this age are already taking shape! That is how we can judge the season, and the lateness of the hour; not by listening to dreams and visions and astrologers and date-setters.

There was a long loud trumpet blast that signaled the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets and the Days of Awe. No one was left wondering if and when that time had begun. I expect there will be some ‘trumpet’ event to signal the beginning of the final Days of Awe (the tribulation) leading up to that final Day of Atonement (Christ’s Return).

Jesus clearly said when you SEE these things know that his Return is at the door. That means there are certain things we are supposed to be watching for! Do you know what those things are? Are you looking for them? I do, and I am!

As many of the things Jesus said to be looking for are events in the heavens. I am absolutely expecting to see some major happenings in that regard in the near future. I am not setting dates. I am just looking for the things I was told to be looking for. And if some of the indicators the Bible gives about the last time are now transpiring, then I fully expect the rest to follow. IN GOD’S TIMING, not mine or yours.

And when you tie these events in the heavens to the prophesied events that are to take place on earth at that time there is only one conclusion we can come to:

There is a great Storm coming!

I believe with all my heart we are on the very cusp of the coming ‘new age’. And it will be ushered in with a stormy time unlike any ever seen before. Even now the first ‘droplets’ of this final ‘rain’ are beginning to fall.

Here in the isolated (and heavily propagandized) womb of western culture we are living in a cozy delusion as to the state of world affairs. We have no comprehension of the desolation and desperation a great share of the planet is already gripped by. (Much of it actually the fruit of our own ‘imperial march’ across the middle east. Seeds we have planted of which we will soon reap a bitter harvest. More on that another time.)

Dark days are truly on the horizon for America and the entire planet. Not the great season of peace and prosperity being promoted by many preachers today. A day of great darkness and desolation is about to engulf this world! First, a prolonged and horrible time of tribulation and judgment unto repentance (which will include a world-wide persecuting of Christianity on an unimaginable scale), followed by the wrath of Almighty God poured out at Christ’s Return.

First a season of Judgment unto repentance; and then a cleansing fire!

My prayer for you is that you, just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who went through the fiery furnace without perishing, would weather the coming storm, and find yourself enjoying the salvation of the LORD in a brand new world.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Luke 21:34-35

Don’t  let the busyness and cares of this life be a distraction that hinders your communion with Christ. Don’t let the temptations of this world rob you of the gift of divine insight which lights the true path of salvation and protects us from the delusion that steers the unrighteous to the false way and destroys them.

Not everyone who says,”Lord, Lord….”

Many are called, but few are chosen. Let’s make sure we are among the chosen ones. For God’s sake and ours: Let’s get it right! 

Blessings upon all who love our Christ;

Paul Benson

http://www.paulbenson.me

 

 

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