December 6, 2011
This is a continuation of a synopsis of Matthew 24, and today we are writing about the fourth sign Jesus gave to indicate His return is near. Jesus said, "Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and pestilences..." Matthew 24:7.
We will look at a fifty-year history of pestilences, or epidemics/pandemics, throughout the world to determine a pattern and identify the status of pestilences today:
In the 1950s there were 2 pestilences worldwide: the bubonic plague and the Asian flu pandemic.
In the 1960s there were 2 pestilences worldwide: a worldwide cholera pandemic and a worldwide Hong Kong flu pandemic.
In the 1970s there were 3 pestilences worldwide: a worldwide cholera pandemic, an outbreak of smallpox in Yugoslavia, and a smallpox epidemic in India.
In the 1980s there were 2 pestilences worldwide: a worldwide cholera pandemic and a worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic.
In the 1990s there were 4 pestilences worldwide: a worldwide cholera pandemic, a worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic, a plague epidemic in India, a meningitis epidemic in West Africa.
In the 2000s there were 33 pestilences worldwide: a worldwide cholera pandemic, a worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic, a dengue fever epidemic in Central Africa, a SARS coronavirus epidemic in Asia, a plague epidemic in Algeria, a leishmaniasis epidemic in Afghanistan, a dengue fever epidemic in Indonesia, an ebola epidemic in Sudan, a yellow fever epidemic in Mali, a dengue fever outbreak in Singapore, a plague epidemic in Congo, a malaria epidemic in India, a dengue fever epidemic in India, a Chikungunya virus outbreak in India, a dengue fever epidemic in Pakistan, a dengue fever epidemic in the Philippines (2x), an ebola epidemic in Congo, a polio outbreak in Nigeria, a dengue fever epidemic in Puerto Rico, a dengue fever epidemic in the Dominican Republic, a dengue fever epidemic in Mexico, an ebola epidemic in Uganda, a dengue fever epidemic in Brazil, a dengue fever epidemic in Cambodia, a hand, foot and mouth disease epidemic in China, a bubonic plague epidemic in Madagascar, a dengue fever epidemic in Bolivia, a hepatitis B outbreak in India, a dengue fever epidemic in Australia, a worldwide mumps outbreak, a meningitis outbreak in West Africa, a worldwide influenza pandemic.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_epidemics
Jesus said there would be pestilences in the earth preceding His return, and the numbers speak volumes in our generation. The ancient prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah said that the "Prince" (Jesus) would come (Ezekiel 44:3) when the Jews were gathered from all nations and when Israel "blossomed like a rose" (Isaiah 35:1). Well, the nation of Israel was "born in one day" (Isaiah 66:8), the Jews have gathered into Israel from all nations (Isaiah 11:11-12), and since 1948, when Israel became a nation in one day, the barren desert land has indeed blossomed like a rose! For those of you who still do not believe; nothing may convince you then, and it is very sad that you would consider risking your eternal soul for the sake of unbelief, when the signs are all here, right before our eyes. Tomorrow, God willing, we will discuss the fourth sign of His return, spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24.
Posted by Leisa Amorosa. Posted In : Prophecy
December 4, 2011
This is a continuation of yesterday's synopsis of the first sign given by Christ alluding to His return in the last days. Today, we go on to the second sign Jesus told His disciples about in Matthew 24:6, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars; do not be troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." He said, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars..." and these are signs that His return is very near, but not quite yet. Since we can now see the signs indicating His return is near, we need to realize that the rapture of the saints could happen at anytime, because the rapture precedes the Lord's return. There are more wars and rumors of wars throughout the nations than there ever have been throughout history.
Since this article was posted, I continue to find wars that were left out of the original article through additional research. There are also disputes and varying opinions as to what constitutes an actual "war," or just a civil dispute. As I prayed about this fact, the Lord reminded me that throughout the Old and New Testament scriptures, wars that were mentioned in the Word of God were centered around Israel. Therefore, I am going to edit this article to focus on the current "wars and rumors of wars" surrounding and within Israel.
In recent history, it is interesting to recognize that we have never heard of "rumors of war," such as we hear of today against Israel. We hear consistently how Iran is building nuclear arsenal in order to "wipe Israel off the face of the map." Ahmadinejad, president of Iran, has made it clear that he intends to annihilate Israel, but he denies Iran is creating nuclear power for that purpose. We also hear news about "when Israel is planning a preemptive strike against Iran in their own defense," before Iran can create the bomb. It is obvious that there are more rumors about war in Israel than any other time in recent history. Generally, the countries surrounding Israel make a surprise attack.
This is what we should focus on, not only the consistent rumors of war surrounding Israel, but the recent wars against Israel. It is amazing to see how Israel has defeated all of his enemies by the hand of Almighty God. View the miracles below:
1948: Arab - Israel War: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Egypt, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, as well as a militia of former Nazis (from Yugoslavia and Bosnia) and the Muslim Brotherhood. Are you able to visualize the miracle of the hand of God here? All of these massive nations surrounding tiny little Israel, but they are all defeated!
1950s - 1960s: Retribution operations: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Syria, Egypt and Jordan. Israel was bombarded with fedayeen terror attacks by these three nations throughout the 50s and 60s, yet Israel remains undefeated!
1956: Suez Crisis: Victorious Party: Israel, Britain, France. Defeated Party: Egypt. Although the US and USSR forced Israel to retreat, Israel and his allies were successful in reopening the Straits of Tiran, after Egypt attempted to nationalize the Suez Canal.
1967: War Over Water: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Syria, Lebanon.
1967: Six Day War: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Kuwait, Tunisia, Sudan, Mauritania, (PLO [Palestinian Liberation Army]). Israel gained significant territories after this attack, including the Temple Mount in East Jerusalem! A blind man with a walking cane can clearly see how Israel is consistently victorious against all the nations who dare come against him! This is because God said, "I will plant them (Israel) upon their land and they will no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord your God" Amos 9:15.
1967 - 1970: War of Attrition: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Egypt, USSR, Jordan, Syria, (PLO). There was a ceasefire signed in 1970, after Egypt attempted to recapture the Sinai since Israel gained control of it during the Six Day War. The Sinai remains with Israel.
1973: Yom Kippur War: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Libya, Kuwait, Algeria, Lebanon, Sudan, Pakistan, North Korea, Cuba, Soviet Union. Wow, why don't they just add the rest of the world against that tiny little country Israel! They are still going to lose!
1975 - 1990: Lebanese Civil War: Victorious Party: Israel, Lebanese Front. Defeated Party: Syria, (Amal, PLO, Hezbollah).
1978: South Lebanon Conflict: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: (PLO, LNM [Lebanese National Movement]).
1982: Lebanon War: Victorious Party: Israel, Lebanese Front. Defeated Party: Syria, (Amal, PLO, Hezbollah, Al-Tawhid).
1982 - 2000: South Lebanon Conflict: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Syria, (Amal, Hezbollah).
1987 - 1993: First Intifada: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: (PLO, Hamas.)
2000 - 2005: Second Intifada: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Iraq, (Hamas, Fatah, Islamic Jihad).
2000 - 2006: Shebaa Farms Conflict: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Syria, (Hezbollah).
2002: Operation Defensive Field: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: (Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad.)
2004: Operation Rainbow: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: (Hamas, Islamic Jihad.)
2004: Operation Days of Penitence: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: (Hamas.)
2006: Operation Summer Rains and Operation Autumn: Resulted in ceasefire between Israel and the PLO.
2006: Lebanon War: Resulted in ceasefire among heavy Hezbollah casualties.
2008: Operation Hot Winter: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: (Hamas.)
2008 - 2009: Gaza War: Victorious Party: Israel. Defeated Party: Iran, (Hamas, Islamic Jihad).
After all this, you would think the Muslims would understand who the REAL GOD is.
2010 - Present: There are 53 ongoing wars throughout the world in the following countries: Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Colombia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Mexico, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, Burma, Israel, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Mauritania, Morocco, Laos, Turkey, Senegal, Uganda, Congo, Africa, Angola, United Kingdom, Ireland, Algeria, Chad, Mali, Niger, Tunisia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Nigeria, Thailand, Cambodia, Russia, Kosovo, Serbia, United States, Bahrain, Libya.
2000: There were 36 wars in the world involving the following nations: Sierra Leone, South Africa, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Liberia, Algeria, France, Ogaden, Nepal, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Columbia, India, Afghanistan, Somalia, North Korea, Burma, Israel, Syria, Philippines, Indonesia, Mauritania, Morocco, Western Sahara, Laos, Turkey, Iraq, Peru, Senegal, Uganda, Rwanda, East Timor, Australia, Yugoslavia, Russia, Sudan, Congo, India, Angola, Ireland, England.
1990: There were 31 wars in the world involving the following countries: Nigeria, Mali, Columbia, India, Afghanistan, Somalia, Korea, Burma, Israel, Philippines, Indonesia, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Canada, Western Sahara, Laos, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, United States, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Egypt, France, Syria, Peru, Senegal, Uganda, Sudan, Congo, Rwanda, Zaire.
1980: There were 31 wars in the world involving the following countries: Burma, Spain, France, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Cuba, East Germany, Soviet Union, Colombia, North Korea, Libya, Chad, Angola, Mozambique, Vietnam, Cambodia, Argentina, South Africa, Namibia, Zaire, United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Canada, China, El Salvador, Iran, Iraq, Eritrea, Zambia, Nigeria, India, Malaysia, Ireland, England, Papua, Afghanistan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Philippines, Indonesia, Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco, Western Sahara, Laos, Turkey, Peru.
1970: There were 27 wars in the world involving the following countries: Iraq, Soviet Union, China, Portugal, South Africa, Rhodesia, Colombia, Thailand, Sudan, Nigeria, India, North Korea, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, France, Guatemala, Burma, Israel, Yemen, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, United Kingdom, Britain, Ireland, Jordan, Philippines, Indonesia, United States, Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Ethiopia, Cuba, Angola, Chad, Malaysia, Papua.
1960: There were 11 wars in the world involving the following countries: Nigeria, Burma, Israel, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Soviet Union, Russia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, North Korea, United States, Philippines, Australia, China, Congo, Belgium, Cuba, Guatemala, Spain, France, Britain, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Southern Rhodesia, Fiji, Kenya, Sudan, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars
The obvious increase in wars throughout the world in the last fifty years is very telling. We should remember that throughout the entire Bible, God's Word focuses on what is happening to Israel. Yes, the Word of God applies to all of us, but God used Israel as an example in so many situations; examples of God's divine favor to the obedient, and an example of His wrath against the disobedient. Look at Israel's history and literally see the hand of God and prophecies fulfilled, according to the scriptures. The Old Testament prophets spoke of the nations that would fight against Israel in the last days (Ezekiel 38-39), and virtually every nation surrounding Israel is at war today - the second indicator His return is near, but the rapture will occur before His return!
Posted by Leisa Amorosa. Posted In : Prophecy
December 3, 2011
struction caused by winds in Santa Ana, CA.
Weather.com (excerpts): More than 200,000 people in Southern California, and thousands more in Utah, are still waiting for power to be restored after this week's epic windstorm. The powerful winds that tore across Western states Wednesday through Friday created a path of destruction that closed schools, left neighborhoods with a snarl of downed trees and power lines and prompted some communities to declare emergencies. The storms, described as a once-in-a-decade event, were the result of a dramatic difference in pressure between a strong, high pressure system and a cold, low pressure system, meteorologists said. This funnels strong winds down mountain canyons and slopes. Northern Santa Ana winds sweeping down through canyons created gusts comparable to a hurricane. At one point, peak sustained winds at the summit of Mammoth Mountain, California were the same as a strong category 4 hurricane.
The National Weather Service issued high wind warnings and wind advisories for parts of California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming. The winds reached 123 mph at a ski resort northwest of Denver and topped 102 mph in Utah. In Arizona, authorities are urging motorists to delay travel plans, as they deal with traffic that was backed up 20 miles in the northern part of the state. The Arizona Department of Transportation says eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 between Flagstaff and Bellemont still were closed Thursday evening due to accidents. One involved nine vehicles. A department spokesman says eastbound traffic was backed up 20 miles.
California, however, was the hardest hit. The gusts were blamed for toppling semitrailers and causing trees to fall on homes, apartment complexes and cars. In some neighborhoods concrete light poles cracked in half. In heavily damaged Pasadena, schools and libraries closed and a local emergency, the first since 2004, was declared. In Utah, about 50,000 customers lost power along the state's 120 mile Wasatch Front, as high winds took down power lines, but service was restored to more than half of them by Thursday night. On Interstate 15, strong gusts blew more than 10 semi-trucks onto their sides, prompting authorities to temporarily close the highway to trucks. Commuter train travel was also interrupted after debris covered the tracks. Davis County issued a disaster declaration to request state assistance, citing more than 3.5 million in estimated damage to infrastructure. The Red Cross opened three centers to provide food and aid to people affected by the storm and opened one overnight shelter in Ogden. In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the roof of a four story condominium complex was blown off and about 100 trees were blown over, some landing on homes. A ski area shut down its lifts after a gust of 123 mph.
Commentary: This is right in line with the many other storms raging throughout the world, and which point to Bible prophecy for these last days, "You will be visited of the Lord with thunder, earthquake, great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire" Isaiah 29:6. We have already seen record-breaking earthquakes and fires raging throughout the world in the last year as well. These are the warning signs, according to the scriptures, that we all need to pray, repent and prepare for His appearance. "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet" Nahum 1:3.
Posted by Leisa Amorosa. Posted In : Storms
