Let’s be honest, rumors can alarm and even frighten us if we perceive that death and destruction is imminent. At what point does a rumor become reality? Or at what point do we accept the rumor as reality?  These are very important questions because as we fast approach the end of days we will hear about many rumors from a possible pandemic to all out war with nuclear foe. We have already heard from the scientists that massive earthquakes along with many other disasters are long overdue. Hollywood has caught on and we have already seen a series of movies on that very subject. I forecast that 2012 will see even more of the same.  Now back to our question If we accept the rumor as reality then we are forced to act upon it through some form of preparation, if time permits, or even panic because events are completely out of our control, but for the Christian things should be different!

Why should they be different? To start with, Christians do not listen to rumors alone without putting them into the prophetic. Let me explain.  To put a future event into the prophetic we allow God to be in control. On the other hand when we listen to a rumor about a future event then it’s disconnected from a source. We may claim a scientific explanation as the source of the event but we are still no better off, because we are still controlled by fate.  We are unable to explain the purpose of the event and feel helpless to control it. To put the rumor into the prophetic then we know if the event happens as rumored then God is in control of the event. Let’s not get bogged down in trying to determine if God caused the event or simply allowed it to happen. Either way God is in control. Now for the Christian this should give us great comfort in any and all rumors that will come our way in 2012.

For many who simply listen to rumors about future events without putting them into the prophetic that is, not believing that God is really in control allows panic to set in which will control their actions. At this writing I have just read where some people in India listened to rumors amidst mild tremors that some people were being turned into stone, which caused a great panic. On the other hand, the Christian who is convinced that God is really in control has no reason to panic, but rather stays calm through prayer asking God for wisdom to understand the event he is facing. Moreover, he becomes the voice of calm encouraging those around him by proclaiming God’s love and providence in the midst of Great Trials and Tribulations. So dear friend, as we face 2012 together let us not follow the ways of the world by listening to their rumors and falling into panic, but let’s remain calm listening to God.

The world leaders look at the economy and think if we fix that then all is well; or they look at the other problems individually and think if we can solve each problem then all is well, but the truth is if all the problems were fixed they would still be left with an encroaching catastrophe. The political leaders go to great length to convince the population that their plan of socialism, capitalism, or communism will solve the problems facing mankind, that all will be greatly improved if they only adopt it as their new form of government. But if the world chooses either of these choices it still faces insurmountable troubles continuing to plague the greater part of humanity. The planet is on a conclusion course with destiny and mankind will be left in the balance of its inevitable consequences.

So what can mankind do to save himself?  How can he fix the problems facing him and his world? As seemingly natural disasters increase in number and severity around the world he cannot even get a consensus as to what is causing the problem nor does he see it as being relevant.  Yet it’s these very things that are causing a drain on the world economy, loss of life, and property. It is causing global unrest and great anxiety among the world’s population. It is bringing out the best in some but the worse in most. Riots and mass demonstrations have become the norm as the world marches relentlessly to its pending doom. Even if mankind cures all of his problems the planet will continue to convulse – with an increase in volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and deadly hurricanes.

The powers unleashed against the planet are beyond man’s ability to stop. The powers unleashed against humanity causes an increase in mental stress and a myriad of unsolvable psychological problems. It is time for humanity to realize that there is a bigger picture to be seen, a new perspective to be realized on the problems facing this world and humanity in particular.  The forces at work are greater than the world has ever known and quite simply man is incapable to do anything about it. He can fix his economy; establish peace between the nation states; offer health care to its people; and offer a new form of government to please all the people, but it will not solve the bigger problem facing this planet and its people. So again what can we do?

As a religious man I would like to believe if the world population repented of its many sins then things might get better. I would like to believe if man learned how to truly love one another then we might begin to see the makings of an earthly paradise. I would like to believe if people saw the light of God’s truth and decided to follow Jesus Christ as their only Lord and Savior then we could see many more delightful years upon the planet. But as a realist I know that they will not! They will continue to allow Satan to dictate their destiny by controlling their behavior and blinding them to God’s holy truth.

No matter how you interpret the end time scenario we will all agree that time is running out for humanity as the planet groans under the weight of God’s judgment and humanity suffers the consequences of its own sins. We are facing the inevitable. So the only thing mankind can do is to choose whom He will serve and if He chooses to follow Christ then he must prepare for what lies ahead. He must learn how to stand firm against the powerful forces arrayed against him and he must do it now while he still has a chance to make a choice. Weak and wobbly Christians will be no match for the satanic forces unleashed upon the world and unprepared for global disasters and unfeigned persecutions.

Before it’s too late we must ensure that we have a firm foundation in Jesus Christ and dressed in the full armor of God. The true believer in Christ learns how to die to self and follow Christ by picking up his Cross. He learns how to fear God, to give Him the glory, and worship Him as the Creator and Sustainer. He learns how to come out of the world, resist the apostasy, and endure patiently. He learns how to harness the power of God by standing in His strength. Let me invite you to visit my Facebook page: Stand Firm to learn about my upcoming book that offers godly counsel on how to stand firm in the last days.

This Part II demonstrates that the Church has already begun to enter the Great Tribulation. This is a powerful and moving video that will awaken the spirit in every Christian who wants to know the truth and to be prepared for what lies ahead

Part I of a II Part series that demonstrates that the Church has already begun to enter the Great Tribulation. This is a powerful and moving video that will awaken the spirit in every Christian who wants to know the truth and to be prepared for what lies ahead.

And the truth is the good news of Jesus Christ. It is good news that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus Christ is the Messiah who had been prophesied thousands of years prior to His coming. One who would preach the good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind. Although He was killed by lawless men by hanging Him on a cross, it was all in God’s plan to use His death and resurrection to bring salvation to the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) As Christ hung on the Cross of Calvary all the sins of the world past, present, and future were placed upon Him as He became the perfect sin offering for the entire world. Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and by believing in your heart that He was raised from the grave then you too can receive forgiveness of your sins and the promise of eternal life.
True faith is more than just believing the historical facts of who and what Jesus Christ did. No longer do you trust in the works of your own hands. No longer do you trust in the establishment or other world religions. No longer do you trust in your own knowledge or understanding. No longer do you trust in the counsel of the world. Through God’s grace you learn to trust in Him alone. In order to receive forgiveness you must repent. Agree with God that you are a sinner, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23); then repent of your sins by turning away from them. The good news is Jesus Christ will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Power on high to show you your sins and help you to turn away from them and live a godly life.

Then you must be baptized which is an outward act of an inward change that takes place in your life. As you are plunged into the water it signifies your dying with Christ – you choose to no longer live the old life but you put it off by dying to self; then as you are raised up out of the water it signifies that you have been raised with Christ and given a new life in Him. No longer do you live for self but you live for the Lord Jesus Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (II Corinthians 5:17)
Dear friends, this is only the first step into the Kingdom of God, the step of faith. Although you will encounter many trials and tribulations they are meant for the strengthening of your faith and the outcome is more glorious than words can describe. As a new disciple of Christ you want to read His Word daily (the Christian Bible) allowing the Holy Spirit to lead, convict and encourage you. You want to immediately begin to tell others about Jesus Christ and the good news that He brought to a dying world. You want to spend time in prayer to God the Father and meditate on His Word. And finally you will want to join with other believers in Christ to experience the joy of true fellowship and mutual encouragement.

Friends when you come to Christ the blindfold will be removed from your eyes and for the first time you will see and understand spiritual truth – truth that will set you free.