This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet 3:1-4)
In the last days” scoffers will say that Jesus is never coming back, but Peter refutes their argument by explaining God’s mastery over time. The “last days” is the time between Christ’s first and second comings; thus, we, like Peter, live in the last days.
Recent news headlines are proffering to the world some very amazing ideas that are surprising many nations and individuals. To the alarm of the “Western Allies” the current US president Donald Trump has made what appears to be “breath-taking concessions to The Kremlin.”
Apparently, at the time of this writing, all US Military Aid to Ukraine has been suspended, as well as to many other nations. Most of those suspensions are very temporary, depending on the “US interest” that is affected in each case. The prime motivator for such surprising action is said by many commentators to be a bully-type method to force the geopolitical conditioning to be more to the bent of the USA. President Trump is on public record now for saying
“We are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and MOST DOMINANT civilization ever to exist on the face of this earth.”
Many feel that the President is now saying things like some people do in the Bible, and that by any means necessary the US will dominate everything and everyone. And that it appears that the promised second coming of Jesus is not in those big plans. With many, it’s like Jesus has either forgotten to come, or has simply scrapped His plans altogether. Is that even possible? Would Jesus do that?
Other geopolitical players are involved. On his top rated news show, Dmitry Kislov, a prominent Russian State mouthpiece who once boasted how Russia could reduce the United States to a smoldering pile of radioactive ash has been talking about a “great troika” dominating the globe: Russia, China, and The USA.” Well, What then, is a “TROIKA?”
By dictionary definition, a troika is thought of as simply the number three. In some books it is called “a group of three men” responsible for controlling administrative or civil authority. In a closer context with how Kislov has used the term, it can be thought of as a modern-day Russian Triumverate. The geopolitical scene today in our world is starting to look like there are amalgamations and competitions between various entities, all seeking world control or dominance. Those who desire to rule over “everything at any cost.”
Is there anything similar to the “TROIKA” idea in scripture?” Perhaps the following will spell it out more clearly?
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16:13-14, NKJV)
The Bible clearly spells out details of a world-wide triumverate that will accomplish total domination of everything and everyone. What the Bible’s details are on this last days triumverate remain for us to study. But for now, it would appear that big things are afloat in the world geopolitical arena now. Mysteries. Surprises. Nations are angry. But by this we do know. Jesus is coming again! Don’t you think its about time we say that with belief Church? When should we give the second coming of our Lord and Savior the very loud cry that it deserves?
How do we know that Jesus is coming again? Well, John the Revelator was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place, manifesting as signs of Christ’s coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and people’s hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth moved out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He saw the vials of God’s wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth. {7BC 982.3}
Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. [see Mat 25:4]
The sources from which these spirits issue, show us in Scripture how that they will work among three great religious divisions of mankind, represented by the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, or paganism, Roman Catholicism, and apostate Protestantism.
The Bible says
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. (Rev 17:6)
And how do we specifically identify this woman? Just a few verses later we are told:
“And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Rev 17:18)
Thus is represented the papal power, The Vatican. (not the general body of faithful Catholic believers). With all deceivablness of unrighteousness, by outside attraction and gorgeous display and pomp, deceives all nations; promising them,as did Satan our first parents, all good to those who receive its mark, and all harm to those who oppose its fallacies.
The power which has the deepest inward corruption will make the greatest outward display, and will clothe itself with the most elaborate signs of power. The Bible plainly declares that this covers a corrupt and deceiving wickedness. “Upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great,The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” {7BC 983.4}
What is it that gives its kingdom to this power? Apostate Protestantism, a power which, while professing to have the temper and spirit of a lamb and to be allied to Heaven, speaks with the voice of a dragon. It is moved by a power from beneath {7BC 983.5}
Could it be that this dragon’s voice is in its early stages of arising when a world power leader states:
“We are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and MOST DOMINANT civilization ever to exist on the face of this earth.”
Lets look at the words of Jesus to see what He says about it all:
Signs of the End of the Age
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 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. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then 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 anyone who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Mat 24:3-14)
On every occasion when persecution takes place, those who witness it make decisions either for Christ or against Him. Those who manifest sympathy for the ones wrongly condemned show their attachment for Christ. Others are offended because the principles of truth cut directly across their practice. Many stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Those who apostatize in time of trial will,
to secure their own safety, bear false witness, and betray their brethren. Christ has warned us of this, that we may not be surprised at the unnatural, cruel course of those who reject the light. {DA 630.2}
Many are sucked into the commercial vortex of “end time preparations” yet what will all of these people do with their underground bunkers and hoarded foods and other resources that they have horded away somewhere when the first earth quake hits? Just the other week I was sitting at my desk when an earthquake hit our area in Northern Alberta. My computer monitor was waving back and forth, from side to side for several minutes.
Mathew 24:14 gives us the clearest clue on the better way to be properly prepared for the end times, for the end of time.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Mat 24:14, NKJV)
Most churches or individuals will just repeat deftly the part that says “this gospel will be preached in all the world, and the end will come.” But so many just gloss over that part that says “AS A WITNESS.” I have sometimes thought this is a very similar trick to what the devil tries to pull in order to deceive believers. “AS A WITNESS” means something that we saw heard and experienced ourselves. Personally. Like the Apostle once said when he was preaching the everlasting gospel
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3, NIV)
Bible prophecy tells us over and over in so many ways
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. (Dan 12:1)
The true preparation for this time of trouble such as never was is well summarized by the apostle John when he said “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Rev 12:11, NIV)
All who will can be over comers. Let us strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Christ knows our weakness, and to Him we can go daily for help. It is not necessary for us to gain strength a month ahead. We are to conquer from day to day. {7BC 974.3} We become over comers by helping others to overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The keeping of the commandments of God will yield in us an obedient spirit, and the service that is the offspring of such a spirit, God can accept {7BC 974.4}
“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” Jeremiah 6:16
Jesus has not forgotten about coming back again. He is just waiting for us. WE CAN COME TO JESUS NOW, JUST AS WE ARE Perhaps the Holy Spirit has impressed you that you have a sinful heart and has opened your eyes to the load of guilt and shame you are carrying. Are you sick of your sins and how they have made you sick in your heart and mind? Do you want to be free from this heavy burden of sin that has destroyed the peace and happiness in your life and in your home? Are you fed up with how sin has messed up your life and is causing you to mess up the lives of those you love? Jesus is the answer. God’s Spirit has brought you here to this point to meet Jesus.
You can come to Jesus exactly like you are right now, full of sin and needing His help—with all your bad habits and addictions, impure or mean thoughts, your jealousy, your anger and hatred— everything! Jesus wants to clean up your heart and help you clean up your life. But for Him to be able to do that, you must first come to Him. Jesus promises, “I will never turn anyone away who comes to me.” The Holy Spirit tells us that if we hear His voice today, not to harden our hearts. The “right time” is now, and the “day of salvation” is today.
No matter what your past has been, Jesus, your Creator, is waiting for you to come to Him. He is holding His outstretched, open arms of love
to you. His heart of love is so big! You can say the following prayer with me now, and step onto the trail to heaven with Him in faith.
Jesus will wrap His arms of love around you. You will then begin your amazing walk with Him on the right road to Heaven. This will be
the most exciting, satisfying journey of your life! John 6:37, Hebrews 3:7,8, 2 Corinthians 6:2
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
I am tired of my old, sinful way of life. I know I am a sinner, and I believe you died for my sins. I come to you just as I am. Please take my hand as I seek the right path to Heaven and lead me on this road to freedom from sin and to everlasting life. In Your name, Amen.