​Now that we’ve taken our first leap at identifying unmistakable ‘end times’ events, let’s back up and examine the larger picture in order that our walk from here will draw together events and consequences for believers (in Jesus) and unbelievers alike.
 
You’ve probably heard of the “Rapture” the “Second Coming” and the “Tribulation.” What do these labels refer to? And what is their relationship to each other, and to us? More importantly, what can these events mean to you and your family? The ‘end times’ or ‘last days’ generally refers to a specific seven (7) year period when God’s spiritual and omnipotent power, influence and presence intervene beyond question and beyond belief in world affairs. However, when we look closer at the prophecies surrounding the unfolding of ‘last days’ we see they actually can extend the entirety of the bible text. Although we are not going back to study all the end times prophesies, you can see by the chart below the encapsulated span of the end times in its broad depiction. (The following charts and sequences are my opinion and beliefs.)
 
As with all things biblical there are differing interpretations or ‘predictions’ pertaining to; who, what, where, when, why and how? This is not because there are differing facts as to the bible’s authenticity or prophesies, it’s due to the span of authorship is over millennia and many prophesies are attributable to events and peoples in both the Old and New Testament texts. As crazy as that sounds let me give you one example; there is a Holy Trinity of God; Father, Son and Spirit. Likewise, there (will) exist a trinity of evil; Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. As to not get bogged down in conjecture, my goal for this series is help readers become more aware of unmissable events that will unfold and become reality and the foretold consequences of those events.
 
This overall ‘last days’ period is denoted by three distinct divisions; “Pre-Tribulation”, “Mid-Tribulation” and “Post-Tribulation”. Within each of these ‘general time frames’ certain people and events take prominence and are active on the world stage. The actual ‘Tribulation’ period is the seven years between what is referred to as the ‘Pre and Post’ designations as shown on this image. This specific seven years is separated into two 3 ½ year periods often referred to as the ‘Tribulation’ and the ‘Great Tribulation’ or “the Wrath of Jesus Christ, and the Wrath of God.” The difference is represented by the intensity and severity of the judgments against earth and its inhabitants during these two specific parts of the seven-year period. We’ll be using this chart in the rest of our discussion so let’s look at the distinct overall periods.

​As shown in Part 3 of this series, one of the primary goals of the coming ‘end times’ is to encourage people to turn from harmful immoral and unethical actions through repentance (by changing their intentions, responses and behaviors) conjoined in spiritual forgiveness (through belief in, and acceptance of Jesus Christ as lord, savior, redeemer and spiritual mediator).

The process of ‘Repentance and Forgiveness’ plays out in our daily interactions with one another as well. To be forgiven, (whether between each other, or between each of us and the Lord God) we must desire to repent. That is, we must be willing to ‘change’ our behavior and actions by ceasing repetitive ‘old pattern’ responses. Only when transgressive behavior is no longer perpetrated, tolerated, or allowed to flourish does forgiveness become a welcomed remedy. ‘Lip service promises to change’ are not enough.
 
In this same vein the coming end times events will be promulgated by vocalized realizations and actions denying Jesus as Christ. Only when people turn from denial to embrace the power and unconditional love of God’s Holy Trinity by accepting the roles and purposes of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, can or will spiritual forgiveness be established.
 
In order to ‘hit home’ and make people sit up and notice (turn from the world’s ways and return to God as His prodigal children) the signs and actions for those ‘on the fence’ will be revealed. One of the first major ‘end times’ events will be the ‘Ezekiel War’ referred to in Part 3. As was noted, the country of Syria will play a major role as it is occupied and subsequently allied with Russia, Iran and Turkey in their desire to mount a military offensive against Israel for each of their own provincial interests.
 
For many years’ politicians have heralded a “two state” solution to end the conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians. Likewise, during this time many Israeli settlements have sprung up in the ‘West Bank’ region of what was (once known as ‘Trans Jordan’) the land between Israel and Jordan claimed as homeland by both Israel and the Palestinians.) As a result, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 (Dec 2016) calls for a settlement agreement.*  It may be under the guise of enforcing this “two state solution” that these armed mid-east allies use as a pretense to invade. However, because the land in this dispute is technically not in Israel this invasion will only involve the mountainous area of this disputed region. The threat of this war will loom large on the world stage. Due to politics and alliances, Israel in the end will be standing alone as this armed threat intensifies.
 
This potential conflict will have the world on the edge of its collective seats waiting for it to begin. Yet the prophet Ezekiel explains what will happen. With Israel seemingly doomed to destruction as its enemies salivate over their anticipated victory and spoils, God Himself will enter the fray and decimate the armies readied against His people and land. At the witnessing of God’s victory, the whole world will see His intervention and the power of, not only Him but His prophetic written word and the veracity of His Truth. There will be no denying God’s mighty intervention on Israel’s behalf. What happens, what transpires and what the world sees via television and the Internet will be undeniable. This will be the first step of a worldwide revival and coming to Christ of nonbelievers. Many will share in the reality and omniscient power of almighty God and will be moved to believe in Him and His Son.
 
There are several benchmark events prophesied about ‘end times’ events and although we will touch on a few of the major ones, many notable others have occurred during the last seven decades. Most people have missed the importance of these due to a lack of interest or understanding. This victory of and by God over Israel’s sworn enemies will not be missed or misunderstood by those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear. So, keep your eyes and ears on the current Syrian and mid-east news and its fallout.

If you are getting interested, join me for Part 5.
 
Whether you believe me or not, believe this:
1 Corinthians 15:3-4  and  Romans 10:9-10 & 17 
Share this with someone in your life.
 
Questions always welcomed and answered.
You’re invited to read my works here, or at my Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube channel.

* https://www.un.org/webcast/pdfs/SRES2334-2016.pdf

Now that we’ve established a basic understanding of the value and importance of biblical prophecy, let’s look at some specifics and their possible meaning and impact for us. Let me begin by stating how difficult it may be to hear or believe what you are about to read and encounter. As with many aspects of life we often feel we may be in the dark and therefore what we see or may experience is ‘foreign’ to our current nature and understanding.
 
Take heart. Our venture together is to find relief in our response to cope with and survive the unexpected unfolding of that we may have thought to be impossible.
 
From this point forward the events and consequences we’ll be addressing or describing focus on the ‘how and why’ of our responses. Irrespective of agreement or not, my goal is to share with readers an awareness of major ‘can’t miss’ last days events and their consequences. The timings, sequences and specifics may be debated but understanding what is ‘hidden in plain view’ will help every reader better grasp the enormity and impact our world in the years ahead will endure and go through.
 
As mentioned earlier there is currently a flurry of political, economic and religious activities taking place in and around Israel as we move closer to a culminating end of human activity on this planet.
First, it’s important to note that Israel is:
1. God’s chosen people (from whom the savior of mankind came and will come back again) and,
2. Israel is God’s ‘timepiece’ as it relates to the unfolding of mankind’s spiritual connection to His Holy Trinity, as well as to each other. For this reason, the situation soon to involve Israel will affect and have repercussions for each of us. Having foreknowledge of prophesied events allows us to better react to what is happening and what we can do to better prepare for the consequential fallout. Remember every prophecy in the bible has so far come true. There’s little or no reason to doubt the unfilled balance of scriptural prophecy will not also come to pass as described.
 
The events surrounding the end times are varied in timing, intensity, severity, length, who they affect and why; often making the entire period and its characters somewhat confusing or unrecognizable for many readers. Most people are unfamiliar with, and in all honesty, uninterested in ‘eschatology’ (the study of prophetic ‘end times/last days’). And yet fulfillment of prophecy is occurring in our lifetime more robustly than it has for any previous generation in the last two-thousand years.
 
God has given us free will to choose and embrace the opportunity to believe in Him and His words, and to accept His offer of forgiveness and eternal life. However, there are two caveats; first, one must accept and believe Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, and second, belief and trust in Him by inviting His Holy Spirit to abide within us as counsel of His moral and ethical commands for our lives in guiding our actions and responses.
 
I have no idea where you are on your spiritual or worldly journey. Therefore, I will be sharing events you won’t be able to miss.
 
Each event in the end times has enormous and dire consequences, with all kinds of crazy and unbelievable ways, means, and results. It’s important that we understand the fundamental reasons these events will be taking place. The ‘end times’ or ‘last days’ are coming for three reasons;
1. As a final opportunity for earth’s inhabitants to become aware of, believe in, and follow Jesus Christ as savior and redeemer through spiritual ‘Repentance and Forgiveness.’
2. A final ‘soul harvest’ of believers in God’s Holy Trinity.
3. To evict evil from the world once and for all, prior to Jesus Christ’s return to establish His millennial kingdom.
Wrapped up in these broad initiatives are the events, purposes, and actions of the ‘Tribulation’ period. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s look at current major elements we should be aware of. Referring to the list in Part 2 of this series, I’d like to focus for a minute on prophetic numbers- 13,14,15, and 17. These four prophesies focus on the middle east region including and surrounding Syria, (Israel’s next door/common border neighbor) and its prelude to the coming ‘Ezekiel war’ described in the bible book of Ezekiel, chapters 36-39. This war may initiate a culmination of daily life as we know it, as it becomes a launching pad of specific ‘last days’ prophesies.
(The prophet Ezekiel lived, c.622 BCE - c.570 BCE.)
 
As mentioned, the variety of events, characters and consequences, as well as their effects and fallout are expansive and at times a little difficult to follow. For this reason, I’ll be sharing ‘big picture’ notable events to start. As we venture farther down the road, I’ll try to express more narrowly so the puzzle picture fills in. We will be working with this larger scope in order to insert specific events and characters as we proceed.
 
So, let’s get started. The four prophesies cited above from our Part 2 list (13,14,15,17) pertain to the fall, destruction and making uninhabitable the capitol of Damascus, Syria. These actions are the prelude to and will serve as a catalyst for the eventual Syrian occupation by Russia, Turkey and Iran in preparation for an armed invasion of Israeli controlled territory. The countries conjoined to initiate and participate in this coming conflict against Israel described by Ezekiel are led by these three (Russia, Turkey and Iran).
 
Do you see any connection to what’s going on today in Syria? We are watching Syria being invaded by Turkey, who is now allied with Russia, Iran and Syria’s president Assad. Remember, Syria and Israel have a common south/north border. Not to get too detailed, but Russia’s economy is rooted in a single industry; energy (gas and oil). Russia would like to get control of mid-east oil and gas reserves. Iran and Syria would like to eliminate Israel for religious and proto-ethnic reasons. Turkey has a combination of nationalist, economic, ethnic, and religious motives as well. And finally, Syria’s president Assad has been waiting for this kind of cooperative military assistance for years.
 
The Ezekiel prophesy tells us who the players and participants will be. He describes how this (primarily Muslim/Islamic) coalition will control Syria in order to build a military presence within striking distance of the border with Israel. There is trouble ahead for not only these countries but for the entire region and the world at large in the run up to the exacting result of the coming Ezekiel war.
 
Join me for Part 4 when we will look at this war and its aftermath.
 
Whether you believe me or not, believe this:
1 Corinthians 15:3-4  and  Romans 10:9-10 & 17 
Share this with someone in your life.
 
Questions always welcomed and answered.
You’re invited to read my works here, or at my Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube channel.