Crucified Hearts

The thoughtful, diligent, prayerful student of Bible prophecy, especially the apocalyptic books of Daniel and Revelation, sees the hand of God establishing his kingdom amidst the opposition of kings and nations. History repeats itself.

The principles of good and evil remain the same, the conflict playing out over and over again, but with the greatest intensity at the end of days. (Rev. 12)

All of the so-called great nations of the Earth, what we call superpowers today, are portrayed in apocalyptic prophecy as ravenous, carnivorous beasts of prey, tearing it one another, devouring lesser nations in their lust for glory. They are doubly dangerous as they combine political power with idolatrous religious practices. Professing qualities of the Lamb, the best of them speak like dragons in their imperial bigotry, intolerance, and ultimately brutal suppression of the truth (Rev. 13:11-12).

All of them are known as persecutors of God’s covenant people, Jew or Gentile, who have been reconciled by the blood of Christ and become a people of peace, not war.

You’ll want to study the history of Babylon in Daniel as it is a type of the political / religious power of the last days in the Book of Revelation. Historical Babylon is a type of what is to come, of what is even now here.

If you’re not familiar with this pattern of historical repetition in the rise and fall of nations, begin your study in Daniel 2, then continue to Daniel 7, 8, and 9. Compare these with Revelation 12 through 19. Note the versus carefully. The symbols are explained. The outcome is made sure.

You may not understand every prophetic detail but you can see the broad picture that God has clearly painted. The nations are known for their lawlessness, for their sexual immorality and idolatry, for their will to power, no act of cruelty too great to consolidate their governments. They make their way with bigotry, intolerance, compulsion of the conscience, with blackmail and seductions, with murder and lies, full of injustice, all the while clothing themselves in the regalia of pomp and ceremony, their leaders acting as gods while speaking as demons.

Scripture interprets scripture. Keep reading. The light of God’s word will show you the difference between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God. All must choose, almost take a side. And all will be held accountable by God in the judgment for the decisions they make in this great controversy between good and evil.

All of the time prophecies have been fulfilled. We have no date for the coming of Christ but we have signs of the times. His coming is near even at the door. We see from Daniel 7 and 8 that the judgment begins before the coming of Christ, the books having been opened, the decision made by our judge on who will be saved and who will be lost at his coming. “The hour of his judgment has come”. Rev. 14:7

Jesus will not come secretly as some of the deceived now proclaim, but as the lightning comes from east to west so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Every eye will see him. Second coming of Jesus is cataclysmic, a day of fire and destruction, a day of plagues ended, recompense paid, the dead raised, and saints delivered.

Jesus showed us these things, warned us, and promised us the blessing of eternal life through faith in him. Read Matthew 24 look up through the chaos and confusion all around you. Your redemption is drawing near. False prophets are here, false Christ will claim your worship. Sons will betray fathers and daughters their mothers. Your enemies maybe those of your own household. The greatest sign we see today is the apostasy of Christianity, Eastern and Western, the church filled with immorality and idolatry. (Rev. 17-18). Many will fall away said Jesus but his gospel would be preached to the whole world before the end comes

At every prophetic intersection along the historical line of divine revelation we see the hand of God working his providential appointments, not to make the nation’s great, but to prepare them for his just and righteous dominion. What Adam lost through sin in the Garden of Eden will be restored at the end, Christ giving his faithful children a seat with him on the throne. We will be a kingdom of kings and priests, that is, royal ministers of an eternal grace even the angels are strangers too. Throughout the coming ages we will explore and expand our knowledge of God’s redemption plan. We will tell all the created hosts of Heaven and Earth about the glories of redeeming love.

So be encouraged, so be patient, be faithful even to the end. It is near and will not wait. He who has promised is faithful.

You ask how to be prepared? Jesus knew we would and should. Preparation for his coming was his greatest concern because he said it would be like a thief in the night, when we least expect it despite having all the signs. As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be, the world coming to an end amid the laughter, the parties, most being lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, professing godliness but denying its power in their lives. (2 Timothy 3).

Our preparation is living by every word that comes from the mouth of God, being filled with his spirit, our hearts surcharged with his love and grace, our wills daily surrender to him, living in a relation to others as we would to Jesus, using every talent he has given us for the advancement of his kingdom.. See Matthew 25.

King David, the Lord’s psalmist, prophesied of these days 3,000 years ago. The Anointed One is coming, the Son of God upon his throne. All who meditate day and night on the Word of God may meet him in peace (Psalm 1).

“Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
— Psalm 2:1-12