The Seriousness of the Times

Isaiah prophesied of the times in which we are now living. “Darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people.” Isaiah 60:2.

There are heavy, dark clouds in the world’s sky today, but it will become even darker. It will be perfect night after Jesus has fetched His bride. The time before the rapture will be so difficult that God Himself will have to shorten the days. Matthew 24:21-22.

Peace has been taken away from the earth, and a great sword has been given to men to slay each other. Revelation 6:4. It started with Cain and Abel, and throughout all these years it has developed to the point where in our days there is hate and enmity and wars and ru­mors of wars in large parts of the world. Social and moral corruption have almost reached the limit. The “sword” has become so great that it can destroy the earth’s population several times over.

There is only one reliable answer to the prophet’s question in Isaiah 21:11, “Watchman, what of the night?” The answer is, “To the word and to the testimony!” Isaiah 8:20. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3. We need to follow the invitation in Revelation 4:1, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” The word “prophecy” means “to see,” and we can do this properly by “coming up” and by meditating on the Word. A longing for “other things” (Mark 4:19) hinders us from being fruitful and having a spiritual vision.

We need to “come up” and stand alone. John was there be­cause of the word of God and for the sake of Jesus’ testimony. Revelation 1:9. We have to stand alone and be separate for the sake of the word of God. We feel safe now, but the storm can break loose suddenly—first for the Jew, and then also for the Greek. Romans 2:9-11. Just as one third of the Jewish population was annihilated during the last war, so one third of the earth’s population will be killed when the four angels by the river Eu­phrates will be released. Revelation 9:13-15.

When John stood on the sand by the sea, he saw before him the roaring, restless, and ungodly sea of mankind out of which “the beast” arose. After the beast, harlotry and the coming “falling away” arose out of the earth, having the appearance of a lamb. Revelation 13:11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

The development of both the good and the evil will occur quickly in its time. Isaiah 60:22 and Revelation 12:12. The prophet saw the future glory of Israel, and we have a share in this development as the bride of Jesus. Israel, the church, the harlot, and the ungodly world all mature simultaneously.

The church had a great and powerful beginning on the day of Pentecost—about three thousand souls were added on the first day. A little later the number of men alone came to be about five thousand. Acts 2:41 and 4:4. Large parts of the then civilized world were evan­gelized. However, the harlot also developed, and “darkness” covered the people. Yet God did not cease working. He let times of revival come again. A few hundred years ago the Jews also began to “think” of being gathered again. This will happen quickly, and now we can see that the speed at which all this is occurring is increasing.

We have to believe in Jesus’ coming again (Matthew 25:6) and in the spiritual rebirth of the Jewish people. Acts 15:16. Jesus said, “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” Mark 13:37.

John saw that “all the world” marveled at the beast and followed him. Revelation 13:3. But then we read in verse 8 that all those who dwell on the earth will worship him, except those whose names have been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain. This is our redemption from the evil: to be slain like the Lamb. Romans 8:36. The sea and the waves will roar, and the people will be distressed and perplexed (Luke 21:25-26); but the church of God is at rest. The gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18.

Jesus will fetch His bride in the middle of the night.