Bible Prophecy in the News

"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don't know the timetable... I say it to you, and I'm saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch." (Mark 13:35)

In Matthew 24, Jesus describes the things which will take place as the End Time draws near- false prophets, wars and rumors of wars, famine, disease, earthquakes in different places, and so on. He called it the beginning of sorrows. What's more, He said that when we see these things happening around us, we are to prepare for brutal times. He even told those in Judea to run to the mountains.

"Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Hope and pray this won't happen in the middle of winter. These are going to be hard days- nothing like it from the time God made the world right up to the present. And there'll be nothing like it again." (Mark 13:14)

Over the last few decades, several prophecies have been fulfilled. Jim Jones and David Koresh are only two and perhaps the most popular of the many false prophets claiming to be the Messiah who led a number of people to their deaths. But none of them can compare to the antichrist that will deceive the whole world.

Wars and rumors of war across the entire world are in the headlines every day. The violence and terrorism of this past century is unlike any other. The unrest has risen so high that world war III seems inevitable.

Also in the news are the different diseases that are popping up around the world at an alarming rate. Some are relatively new such as Sars (bird flu) while others like bubonic plague, (black death) seem to be resurfacing. With global warming heating our climate, mosquitoes are moving into places they usually don't go, carrying diseases with them.

Jesus said earthquakes would be happening in different places. During the last century, earthquakes have been occurring a lot and with more intensity. The China earthquake in 2008, which took the lives of over a hundred thousand people was in the news around the world for days. However, from 1890 to 1900, there was only one significant earthquake in the entire world!

The year 2012 is in the news a lot anymore and we will probably be inundated by headlines associated with the date as we get closer to it. Some believe the predictions surrounding the dooms day date have something to do with the tribulation and maybe even the return of Jesus Christ.

No one knows when the Lord will return and it is possible that 2012 could be linked to the great tribulation. But there are still a lot of prophecies yet to be fulfilled. The ten-nation confederacy hasn't even been formed yet. Of course, it's possible for it to all fall into place by 2012, but it doesn't seem likely at this point.

There is a ton of information about December 21, 2012 on the Internet, but much of it is unreliable. The planetary alignment only happens once every 26,000 years. There is simply not enough information to make any kind of prediction. Therefore, any predictions at this point would only be educated guesses.

Furthermore, experts who study the Mayans say the calendar, on which many of the predictions are based, has been seriously misinterpreted in the news media. No one knows what will happen as we approach 2012, if anything at all.

God the Father is the only one who knows when the End will be, but Jesus said we would recognize the signs. He went over it in great detail (Matt. 24) and much of what He warned us to look for has been in the news every day.

CNN, the History and Discovery channel, are always broadcasting programs associated with 2012. As a result, people around the world have been preparing for serious climate changes, sun flares and possible pole shifts.

The things we see and hear in the news about 2012 may have nothing at all to do with bible prophecy. However, it could be what Jesus referred to as the beginning of sorrows.

It has been said that the news media, for whatever reason, has been desensitizing us for years. We've gone from global cooling to the threat of nuclear war, the aids pandemic, Y2K, global warming, Sars, climate change, and now, 2012. There is a growing fear that when a genuine threat comes upon us, people are not going to believe it.

Could we really be witnessing bible prophecy unfold in the news? Is it possible that we may be experiencing the beginning of sorrows Jesus warned us about? What about 2012?

There are scriptures that describe End Times events which sound similar to what is being predicted to happen in 2012.

"And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!" (Luke 21:25)

We all must decide for ourselves. The answers are in the bible. If you're honestly seeking God and His salvation, the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. If you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead, go to Him now in prayer. Ask Jesus to be your Savior. The Holy Spirit will quicken your spirit and seal you unto the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30)

"The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart. And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." (Romans 10-8)

Are we seeing actual bible prophecy unfolding in the news? Are we getting closer to the End Times and the return of Jesus Christ?

In this writer's humble opinion- yes, I believe we are. Gather your families, draw close to God and prepare for difficult times to come.

There is only one safe place- Jesus.

" I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matt. 28:20)