NICK writes this:

Here is a part of my story...

I belong to the United Reformed denomination. Its a small group of only a couple hundred churches...but it is pretty good. The pastors teach the word in truth and they reject the false philosophies and doctrines of man that are running rampant throughout the churches of the world right now.

But...when it comes to Bible prophecy...there is almost NO preaching about it. Yes...they believe that Christ will come again...but many people don't know about the end times and the various world-shattering events that will unfold.

They say it is unhealthy to my life to be so concerned with the things that are going on in the world. They say that if I live my life thinking each day about the END...then i will not be happy...and I won't strive to get a good career or anything if I think that its all going to end anyway.

Now, I am in college....I'm not sure of what i want to do for my life...but i am NOT running away and hiding in a bomb shelter when i see these signs of Christ's coming.

I have explained to them that we are seeing so much happening in our day and age when these events are viewed with the lens of scripture. Prophesy is being fulfilled!

I tell them about Israel....then they look really uncomfortable and say that Israel's re-emergence as a nation is merely coincidence and that God has no plan for them. They say that the church is now Israel.

I try to tell them about the prophesied GOG/MAGOG war...and how a coalition of nations is going to try to wipe out the re-emerged nation of Israel, but God will stop them with supernatural measures. But since literal Israel...the country...has no significance in their eyes...how can they believe this.

I tell them about the Antichrist....the one-world government, economy, religion, the mark of the beast, and world unity that is spoken about in the bible........then they say that I'm viewing it too literally.

I tell them about the increased Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and other natural disasters that are happening. and the drought and famine that are getting worse....

They just say that all these things have always been around. They say that people have been predicting Christ's return forever. They say that i should not be so worried about it. They tell me i should just live my life for God and know that it will just happen when it happens....if it happens in our lifetimes.

THATS STRANGE HUH? DID CHRIST NOT TELL US TO WATCH FOR THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING?

Secular people also say this to me....that everything that is....is as it always has been. Nothing really has changed. But I have noticed even in my lifetime...that the events are appearing as birth pangs...growing more severe and more frequent.

Then I read this verse in the Bible, and I see another fulfillment of scripture.

II Peter 3:3-4

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

That verse says it all...for I have met these scoffers...and some of them who deny the signs of the times....are deluded Christians in the church!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I look at modern day Christianity....it is a painful sight. I see preachers standing up in mega churches....wearing luxury suits....jewelry (Benny Hinn)....Men who preach nothing about how God wants to bestow upon us EARTHLY RICHES....they mention nothing of sins...of Christ.....of how we are to put our hope in him....

Men who water down and ultimately deny the scripture...who preach in political correctness....and in a way that offends nobody. Men like Robert Schuller, Rick Warren, Creflo Dollar, and many more...

There is the emerging church movement too...I do hope that you know enough about this growing movement. They are post-modernists...who say that nobody can understand the bible....they say that Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and everybody else....goes to heaven.
They seek old Roman Catholic mysticism practices like Contemplative prayer, labyrinths, breath prayers...THEY DENY THAT TRUTH EXISTS...

Brian Mclaren...who is a novelist, pastor, and emergent leader says the following. Please Watch this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SOUfsX2fbk

It is sad to see what they believe....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a link to an excellent article by missionary/ pastor Roger Oakland...a man of true faith. This article is about the emerging church...here's the link...

http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c29.shtml

When one sees the various false churches out there....how Christians act so worldly....how Christians are being deceived by seeker-sensitive messages and heresy...It is painful to know that God's word said this would happen.

II Thessalonians 2:1-3

"Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction..."

here is another verse...

I Timothy 4: 1-2

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron...."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I find that the vast majority of Christianity has been rendered useless and blind. Many people and couples in my church are very wealthy. One old couple has millions upon millions from their business and investments.

When I fellowship after the church services on Sunday...I overhear so many people talking about money....about business....about the fancy cars and things they just bought....about that new house or renovation...

While I view such things as blessings from God.....it is sad to see Christians getting caught up in money and things that is JUST STUFF...

I have told many of them in friendly conversations about these days but they don't seem interested...or they view me as a nutter.

And today...as i sit here typing this I am watching the stock markets again....it is 4:19 and the markets are about to close.

The DJI is at 7553.....down 443 points from yesterdays abysmal closing number.

I look at these numbers and then I ponder the intense fear they cause to people....even Christians..

Christians need to realize....where their hope and treasure really is....in Christ!!!!! When hard times come...and we worry about the economy...Christians often end up acting exactly like the WORLD! The lost people out there....they look at the scared Christians and they think....aren't Christians supposed to have hope in God? Yet there they are....all worried about money and the state of the economies.

I am sorrowful for the many Christians that will have the day of the Lord come upon them as a snare...

I hope God will use people...those who are not asleep....to help wake up our brothers and sisters. The world is crumbling all around us...and Christians are too busy with the fleeting joys and fears of this life.

I am glad that you not blind to what is happening Trent. I rejoice that God has opened our eyes. There are amazing "side-effects" to knowing the bible's prophetic words...and watching for the signs of Christ's coming.

Since I have been awakened to the signs....I have learned to be happy for each day that i have...i have learned that i must not worry about my life...about tomorrow....about money....for all of it is perishable.

God has shown us what is going to happen....and that through Christ...we are victorious! I look forward to Christ's return.

When i see the prophecy being fulfilled...even though it looks bad...I
look beyond that darkness and see the light of life!

Truly he is coming quickly! Let us look forward to it with great joy! It will be like the springtime of life! It will be the time when our real summer will come! and the winter will be forever over.

No more of this world's trials and troubles will be ours!

"For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone!"

- Song of Solomon 2:11

------------------------------------------------------------

And yes...I look forward to our discussions in the future too!

In Christ,

Nick