"These are the days of Elijah"

I am often accused of getting carried away with my attempt to relate the events transpiring in the world today with what the Bible says. Many times I have had people say, "Well, Max, things have been bad before. So, what makes you think that we are near the end now?" And then I begin to reiterate how, never before in the history of mankind, have so many of the events prophesied by both the prophets and Jesus Himself been realized at the same time. Let's just look at a few:

Lawlessness: America's prisons today are over-crowded, to the point that the State of Minnesota is seeking to release back into the public violent sexual offenders who have served their prison sentences, and yet who have not demonstrated any change in behavior. Reason why: simply no room for them any longer. Over this past week, a gang of about 50 young people entered a convenience store and robbed the store of merchandise. These "mob robberies" are becoming more frequent.

Religion without power: Success in today's church is measured by attendance and programs. We have compromised biblical truth in order to entertain the lost and carnal. Our goal is to make people feel better about themselves. Forgotten is any discussion on God's holiness or His justice and, although we talk much about His love, we really have failed to grasp what His love is all about.

Earthquakes in various places: Just this week a devastating quake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, bringing death and destruction. Two weeks ago, another quake in Chili. Since October, over 700 quakes in the state of Arkansas alone. And the intensity of the quake activity in and around Yellowstone National Park is growing.

Famines: Escalating food prices is what prompted the uprising in Tunisia last month. And, in case you hadn't noticed, food prices in America are rising higher than the inflation rate. Why? because of adverse weather conditions around the globe that have caused crop failures: no wheat in Australia this year (floods); no wheat in Pakistan this year (floods); no soybeans or corn in Brazil this year (floods); no wheat in Russia this year (drought).

Wars and rumors of war: The reality of war has almost become commonplace today. China is expanding its military, and I am not sure it is only for national defense. Iran keeps working toward a nuclear capability, and it is not solely to produce electricity, as the presence of its warships this week traveling through the Suez Canal can testify. The Arab world is sitting on a powder keg ready to explode.

Should we make anything of these signs? Let me share with you that the Shiites do. Iranian President Ahmadinejad stated that the Twelfth Imam is now managing the revolution going on in Egypt and in other Arab nations. He said, "We will soon see a new Middle East materialising without America and the Zionist regime and there will be no room for world arrogance (the West) in it." He continued, "The final move has begun. We are in the middle of a world revolution managed by this dear (12th Imam). A great awakening is unfolding. One can witness the hand of Imam in managing it." [from Joel Rosenberg's blog]. So, the Shiites are saying that the events of today are pointing to the imminent coming of their messianic deliverer, the Twelfth Imam.

Then, today, Joel Rosenberg shared that Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky stated, "People have come to me and said that it's 'Gog and Magog.' We cannot know. But it's probable that any unrest that God creates shows that the Messiah is coming, and that we must begin to prepare for it and become stronger." So, many among the ultra-Orthodox in Judaism are saying that the events of today are pointing to the imminent coming of their Messiah.

These are not days to have our eyes blinded, nor to be apathetic about what is happening. There is purpose behind these events. The Rabbi is right: we must begin to prepare for His coming and become stronger. It is only the scoffers who fail to see any connection between what is happening and the promises of His return. These are days of preparation. What are you doing to get ready?