By Benjamin H. Liles
I
have to say this to those and any who believe this solar eclipse event
is going to usher in Revelation and the last days: it is just another
day for us in America. All of you who sit and watch in horror as "The
Sky is Falling" will bury their heads in the sand. Yes, I'm as much a
Christian as any who claim they are. But saying this eclipse is ushering
1) the days of Revelation or 2) Jesus Christ's second coming is off
base.
I say this for a HUGE reason. That is this, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only," Jesus tells us (Matthew 24:36, New King James). Yes, we will see signs. We will see amazing wonders. Christ also said, "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place" (Matthew 24:32-34).
Okay, so Jesus has just told the disciples, before they had the Spirit of God poured out upon them, the signs of the times and the end of the age. The question they asked Jesus is as follows: "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).
Jesus tells them pretty much plain as day the order of events. These events match up what God revealed to John as he was on Patmos, so you have this outline between Jesus' words and the vision John receives on Patmos. Both events are of the same thing spoken in Revelation. What Matthew records Jesus saying is what God gave Jesus to tell the disciples.
So, when is the end? Again we don't know. Not an angel in Heaven knows. Not even the Son of Man, that is Jesus Christ (see Matthew 24:36, again). Spoiler alert: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to ALL the nations, and then---(pause for effect)--the end will come" (Matthew 24:15). Wow! Did you catch that?
Christ's second coming happens after these first events take place. So, we have this in order: "Take notice [so] that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:5). We see this going on, day after day and year after year. So we read on in His word, "Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand" (Matthew 24:23-25).
He tells us one of the few things we can and should know about the signs and times: there will be some who claim they know, who will be able to "perform signs and wonders." But they do these things so that "if possible, even the elect" might be deceived. Christ gives us these words as a warning to not fall away. Wow! What a concept!
Memory recollection here: Christ said at one point in His ministry, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28, Berean Study). So, since we see that's the case, we as believers have a shield of sorts keeping us safe from God's wrath. Interesting. Those of us who are filled with faith and His Holy Spirit have somewhat of a protection against "falling away."
Second thing Jesus tells them: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" Matthew 24:7a). How many wars are going on at this moment? Is this planet already not in so much upheaval?
So, we must continue looking. "And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are" what? "The beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:7b-8). Now that's an interesting choice of words.
I want to look at something here and we'll see something hugely important. Jesus Himself says, "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘MY MASTER IS DELAYING HIS COMING,' and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 24:45-51).
That's surely interesting. Paul cautions Timothy, "But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, ABUSIVE, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, UNHOLY, UNLOVING, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, BRUTAL, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these" (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
This causes me to wonder what else did Jesus say about "That Day?" Let's look: "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37-39). Very interesting! With what Paul said and the fact Jesus said this before Paul even said what Jesus shown to him tells me Jesus is very choice on the words He uses and used.
So, that all said, we finally see this thing taking place: "They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:9-13).
We see that after all of that Jesus has told the disciples there will be those who make false claims about who they are, being boastful and proud. He continues by talking about national, regional and international wars going on. And with that all said, famines, pestilences and earthquakes will grow ever more frequent. Don't get me wrong I am no Bible scholar in the least bit, but I know that what He says is accurate. It will happen.
After all of this Jesus gives us this huge CLUE: "Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened" (Matthew 24:15-22).
My wife and I have noticed even before those "Times of Sorrow" have even started that the days have indeed felt more shortened. Who else has had that same gut feeling we have had? Any show of hands on this? Christ says, "Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." What if He shortened those days WAY before any or all of this took place? Follow me on this.
If you have noticed that fall has recently been taking place even in our Texas heat, at this moment, then it's an odd thing. Her and I, my wife, we have started seeing the leaves of trees falling. It's still Summer!
Going back to this whole spiel on this whole eclipse/"The world is ending" stuff propagating media online we're nowhere near the events Jesus said would take place. Yes, as far as Christians are concerned we're hated for His name's sake. But is there a worldwide convergence to get rid of all Christendom? Has there been a worldwide fatality on Christians? It has yet to even begin!
But the bigger issue, even bigger than that is this crucial event. "Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)," Jesus tells the disciples (Matthew 24:15). The holy place is a specific area within Jerusalem. If this "holy place" Jesus talks about is within Jerusalem, where is it? Does it even begin to exist here and now? NO!
If the holy place already is in residence within Jerusalem, their Temple to God would have to be rebuilt! So, once more, where is their Temple? The place where the Dome of the Rock is where Solomon's Temple has always stood. It was destroyed in 70 AD by the Roman armies. So, let me ask once more, is there a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem?
If there is it's minuscule. I don't want anyone to think I'm mocking my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But I'm saying this to show you something of significant importance. Jesus said, "When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place," means there is something so grossly done in God's sight that desecrates His Temple in God's 'holy place.' And we're not even told what that desecration will be. In times past there had been an idol erected at the Jewish Temple. Some believe an unclean animal such as a pig would be slaughtered in God's holy place within the Temple.
But the Temple of Solomon would have to be rebuilt for the "abomination of desolation" to even take place. The Temple has yet to be built, so no desecration can begin to take place. What a Temple can be rebuilt within two more days? It is now 2:30am on a Texas morning on Saturday. Can someone tell me without hesitation their Temple can be built within two days and become desolate while the eclipse happens?
Do you see the absurdity of that?
Yes. We're told these things will take place. But enough of the doomsday talk when the Jewish Temple hasn't even been built yet. Besides, things may be bad now, but it will get far worse before the Temple is made desolate.
Let me give you this and you can tell me if this is happening here and now. Since Jesus said, "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:38-39), wouldn't things be the same as it was in Noah's Day?
Again, a reminder from Paul on this: "In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone" (2 Timothy 1-5a, 6-9).
Therefore, we have more of a reason to have faith in what Jesus said, turn to Him, asking Him to fill us with His power, His strength, to make us whole and pure. We can have Christ to the fullest and even overflowing. The days are indeed getting shorter! And yet there is still time for ALL to come to Jesus Christ. "The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act" (2 Peter 3:9, God's Word Translation).
There are going to be some who mock God. They say they know Him, or prove they don't and simply mock Him and His ways. But you now have this truth. The world won't end come Monday. Wars will still be fought. But until the day, and I wouldn't put it off until it's too close at hand, the Antichrist reveals himself by setting up a desecration that causes desolation to come to Jesus. I pray each one of you fully comes to know and receive Jesus and to receive His power fully on and in your lives. Purify your hearts with and towards Him. Put off all things that hinder from your walk and relationship with Him. Clothe yourselves with Christ. Put on His righteousness. Just simply come. Come as you are. He will accept you so long as you accept Him first. I pray this on your behalf that Jesus Christ shows Himself to you mightily and speedily. In His name I pray. Amen.
Side note: This post marks when I got fully active in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ on this site. I know it comes across as bragging, but what I'm saying is that as of today this site is one year old! thanks to everyone who has been coming and reading what God has shown me and allowed me to share with you! God bless you all and again: thank you!
I say this for a HUGE reason. That is this, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only," Jesus tells us (Matthew 24:36, New King James). Yes, we will see signs. We will see amazing wonders. Christ also said, "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place" (Matthew 24:32-34).
Okay, so Jesus has just told the disciples, before they had the Spirit of God poured out upon them, the signs of the times and the end of the age. The question they asked Jesus is as follows: "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).
Jesus tells them pretty much plain as day the order of events. These events match up what God revealed to John as he was on Patmos, so you have this outline between Jesus' words and the vision John receives on Patmos. Both events are of the same thing spoken in Revelation. What Matthew records Jesus saying is what God gave Jesus to tell the disciples.
So, when is the end? Again we don't know. Not an angel in Heaven knows. Not even the Son of Man, that is Jesus Christ (see Matthew 24:36, again). Spoiler alert: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to ALL the nations, and then---(pause for effect)--the end will come" (Matthew 24:15). Wow! Did you catch that?
Christ's second coming happens after these first events take place. So, we have this in order: "Take notice [so] that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:5). We see this going on, day after day and year after year. So we read on in His word, "Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand" (Matthew 24:23-25).
He tells us one of the few things we can and should know about the signs and times: there will be some who claim they know, who will be able to "perform signs and wonders." But they do these things so that "if possible, even the elect" might be deceived. Christ gives us these words as a warning to not fall away. Wow! What a concept!
Memory recollection here: Christ said at one point in His ministry, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28, Berean Study). So, since we see that's the case, we as believers have a shield of sorts keeping us safe from God's wrath. Interesting. Those of us who are filled with faith and His Holy Spirit have somewhat of a protection against "falling away."
Second thing Jesus tells them: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" Matthew 24:7a). How many wars are going on at this moment? Is this planet already not in so much upheaval?
So, we must continue looking. "And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are" what? "The beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:7b-8). Now that's an interesting choice of words.
I want to look at something here and we'll see something hugely important. Jesus Himself says, "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘MY MASTER IS DELAYING HIS COMING,' and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 24:45-51).
That's surely interesting. Paul cautions Timothy, "But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, ABUSIVE, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, UNHOLY, UNLOVING, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, BRUTAL, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these" (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
This causes me to wonder what else did Jesus say about "That Day?" Let's look: "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37-39). Very interesting! With what Paul said and the fact Jesus said this before Paul even said what Jesus shown to him tells me Jesus is very choice on the words He uses and used.
So, that all said, we finally see this thing taking place: "They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:9-13).
We see that after all of that Jesus has told the disciples there will be those who make false claims about who they are, being boastful and proud. He continues by talking about national, regional and international wars going on. And with that all said, famines, pestilences and earthquakes will grow ever more frequent. Don't get me wrong I am no Bible scholar in the least bit, but I know that what He says is accurate. It will happen.
After all of this Jesus gives us this huge CLUE: "Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened" (Matthew 24:15-22).
My wife and I have noticed even before those "Times of Sorrow" have even started that the days have indeed felt more shortened. Who else has had that same gut feeling we have had? Any show of hands on this? Christ says, "Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." What if He shortened those days WAY before any or all of this took place? Follow me on this.
If you have noticed that fall has recently been taking place even in our Texas heat, at this moment, then it's an odd thing. Her and I, my wife, we have started seeing the leaves of trees falling. It's still Summer!
Going back to this whole spiel on this whole eclipse/"The world is ending" stuff propagating media online we're nowhere near the events Jesus said would take place. Yes, as far as Christians are concerned we're hated for His name's sake. But is there a worldwide convergence to get rid of all Christendom? Has there been a worldwide fatality on Christians? It has yet to even begin!
But the bigger issue, even bigger than that is this crucial event. "Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)," Jesus tells the disciples (Matthew 24:15). The holy place is a specific area within Jerusalem. If this "holy place" Jesus talks about is within Jerusalem, where is it? Does it even begin to exist here and now? NO!
If the holy place already is in residence within Jerusalem, their Temple to God would have to be rebuilt! So, once more, where is their Temple? The place where the Dome of the Rock is where Solomon's Temple has always stood. It was destroyed in 70 AD by the Roman armies. So, let me ask once more, is there a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem?
If there is it's minuscule. I don't want anyone to think I'm mocking my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But I'm saying this to show you something of significant importance. Jesus said, "When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place," means there is something so grossly done in God's sight that desecrates His Temple in God's 'holy place.' And we're not even told what that desecration will be. In times past there had been an idol erected at the Jewish Temple. Some believe an unclean animal such as a pig would be slaughtered in God's holy place within the Temple.
But the Temple of Solomon would have to be rebuilt for the "abomination of desolation" to even take place. The Temple has yet to be built, so no desecration can begin to take place. What a Temple can be rebuilt within two more days? It is now 2:30am on a Texas morning on Saturday. Can someone tell me without hesitation their Temple can be built within two days and become desolate while the eclipse happens?
Do you see the absurdity of that?
Yes. We're told these things will take place. But enough of the doomsday talk when the Jewish Temple hasn't even been built yet. Besides, things may be bad now, but it will get far worse before the Temple is made desolate.
Let me give you this and you can tell me if this is happening here and now. Since Jesus said, "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:38-39), wouldn't things be the same as it was in Noah's Day?
Again, a reminder from Paul on this: "In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone" (2 Timothy 1-5a, 6-9).
Therefore, we have more of a reason to have faith in what Jesus said, turn to Him, asking Him to fill us with His power, His strength, to make us whole and pure. We can have Christ to the fullest and even overflowing. The days are indeed getting shorter! And yet there is still time for ALL to come to Jesus Christ. "The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act" (2 Peter 3:9, God's Word Translation).
There are going to be some who mock God. They say they know Him, or prove they don't and simply mock Him and His ways. But you now have this truth. The world won't end come Monday. Wars will still be fought. But until the day, and I wouldn't put it off until it's too close at hand, the Antichrist reveals himself by setting up a desecration that causes desolation to come to Jesus. I pray each one of you fully comes to know and receive Jesus and to receive His power fully on and in your lives. Purify your hearts with and towards Him. Put off all things that hinder from your walk and relationship with Him. Clothe yourselves with Christ. Put on His righteousness. Just simply come. Come as you are. He will accept you so long as you accept Him first. I pray this on your behalf that Jesus Christ shows Himself to you mightily and speedily. In His name I pray. Amen.
Side note: This post marks when I got fully active in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ on this site. I know it comes across as bragging, but what I'm saying is that as of today this site is one year old! thanks to everyone who has been coming and reading what God has shown me and allowed me to share with you! God bless you all and again: thank you!
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