Worldwide
Ecological Change Man made
pollution has resulted in massive ecological disruption
worldwide. Erosion, and misuse of the land have created
deserts and dust bowls in many once fertile lands. Chemicals,
sewage, garbage, oil spills, pollution, and over fishing
have caused irreparable harm to the oceans, resulting in
near extinction of many species. Pollution has also resulted
in serious contamination of 40% of the world's fresh water
supply. Man made pollutants have made the air unhealthy
and resulted in the depletion of the earth's protective
ozone layer. Nuclear weapons and power have also threatened
the earth.
What Does
it Mean?
Social
Change
The rebellious 60s ushered in some
of the most sudden and harmful social changes in history.
A large segment of society bought into the "new morality"
of free sex, free drugs, free alcohol, and freedom to say
and do whatever you feel like saying and doing. Large numbers
rejected their parent's Judeo-Christian convictions and
moral values and adopted radical philosophies rejecting
Christ, the Bible, and the Church. Even the courts have
rejected deeply revered values, disallowing prayer in school,
prohibiting reference to God or Christ in school or government
functions, and permitting abortion.
What
Does it Mean?
God's
Constant Love
Worldwide social and ecological changes
may indicate the Great Tribulation has begun. The Great
Tribulation is the final period during which the Lord will
mercifully pour out escalating judgments on the earth and
mankind to maximize the number who are saved before the
Final judgment. What will be in question at the Final Judgment,
is not whether we are sinners - for we have all sinned -
but rather whether as sinners, we have repented and sought
mercy through faith in the only Savior, Jesus Christ.
How should we react?
We should respond with great joy and faith. We must fix
our eyes on Jesus and recall continually on our Lords commands
"Fear not!" and "Be
full of faith!". Being alive at this
time is an incredible privilege! We will personally witness
the defeat of Satan and see our awesome Lord Jesus appear.
These are the greatest days in all of history to
be alive.
What
do these remarkable events signal?
In his book, Countdown
to Apocalypse, John McClure reflects on Christ's
Revelation and proposes that current events signal the soon
return of Christ. McClure's combines extensive study of the
Book of Revelation and scripture, with social, historical,
governmental and ecological observations, to reasonably argue
that we are, in fact, now in the midst of the first, and mildest,
season of the Great Tribulation. Far from being a time for
fear, Christians whose heartbeat is to make the greatest possible
impact for Him will find the Great Tribulation to be the most
exciting and favored time in all history in which to be alive
and serving Him on planet earth! And of course, it means we
are right on the brink of our Lord's return in the Heavens.
Details
of Apocalypse of St. John (woodcuts)
by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528)
These
words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the
spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants
the things that must soon take place. Behold,
I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the
prophecy in this book.
Revelation 22:6
See,
I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all
those according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Rev.
22:12
I,
Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the
churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to
his throne. I am the bright morning star. Rev. 22:16
Yes,
I am coming soon! Rev. 22:20
The
First Four Trumpets - Ecological Change
The first angel sounded his trumpet ...A third of the earth
was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all
the green grass was burned up. The second angel sounded his
trumpet ...A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of
the living creatures in the sea died...The third angel sounded
his trumpet ...A third of the waters turned bitter, and many
people died from the waters that had become bitter. The fourth
angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck,
a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third
of them turned dark.. Revelation 8:7-12
Ecological Changes Today
John McClure argues that the
events described in the book of Revelation are intended to
symbolize natural or man-made events occurring now - not
literal, future supernatural events. What do the first four
trumpets in Revelation, marking the beginning of the Great
Tribulation, symbolize? Well, all four trumpets focus on serious
problems arising within the earth's environment. This is highly
significant in that one of the most distinctive characteristics
on the twentieth century is the rise of serious problems harming
or destroying the earth's environment. The first trumpet represents
pollution of the land. The second trumpet represents pollution
of the seas. The third trumpet represents the pollution of
fresh water. And, the fourth trumpet symbolizes the pollution
of the earths atmosphere.
The
Fifth and Sixth Trumpets - Social Change
The fifth angel sounded his trumpet..And out of the smoke locusts
came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions
of the earth..they were not given power to kill them, but only
to torture ...And the agony they suffered was like that of the
sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man... On their heads
they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled
human faces ...Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth
were like lions' teeth. The sixth angel sounded his trumpet
...A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues ...Revelation
9
Social Changes Today John
McClure argues that the fifth and sixth trumpets and the plague
of demons of Revelation 9 symbolize the unparalleled erosion
of family and morals within the past several decades. Today
more than half of all adolescents under the age of 18 have
had sexual intercourse and 40 percent of all American births
occurred out of wedlock. Violent crime is twice the level
it was since the 1960s. Abortions in the United States occur
at a rate 1.5 million a year. Since 1960, teenage suicide
has tripled. Traditional family and Judeo-Christian values
have been steadily eroding as courts have repeatedly sought
to remove prayer and reference to God from schools and public
institutions and events.
About
This Site
The
Bible tells us "blessed are those that hear the words
of this prophecy because the time is near." Rev.
1:3
Friends
of the church of Jesus Christ produced this website to demonstrate
the righteousness and glory of the Lord. "Do not
be afraid for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name."
Isaiah 43:1
John
McClure
A
very popular and energetic speaker, John shares at conferences,
meetings, and gatherings of students, pastors, ministers,
teachers, and churches.
About
John McClure
John
is the pastor of Vineyard
Newport. John and his family have been actively involved
in church ministry, development and leadership his entire
adult life. John was a pioneering participant of the Vineyard,
working with John Wimber and others in the early days of the
Vineyard movement. John serves on the Board of the Association
of Vineyard Churches.
