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Prophecies Jesus gave in Mathew 24 and Revevelation require internet and smartphone
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This oppression took the form of organized bands raiding Israel and burning homes and planted fields and killing the animals. Many of the people of Israel took to hiding in caves and strongholds in the mountains. As one might guess, they were hungry due to the loss of their crops and livestock (Judges 6:1-10). The problems had begun when the children of Israel "did evil in the sight of the Lord" (vs. 1). As things grew worse and worse, many in Israel cried out to the Lord. A prophet was sent to the people with God's message. The three part message reminded Israel that God had "delivered you" in the past and secondly they were told, "Do not fear the gods of the Amorites." Thirdly, they were told the reason for their suffering as God spoke through the prophet saying, "You have not obeyed my voice." (vss. 8-10). Then, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon at Ophrah while Gideon was threshing his wheat (vss. 11-27). Gideon is referred to as a "valiant warrior" (vss. 11-12). But this valiant warrior had a question for the Lord. Gideon's question was why had things gone so badly if God was with them (vs. 13). The Lord promised to be with Gideon and that he would defeat the Midianites (vss. 14, 16). Like many of the people God chose to work for Him, Gideon wondered "Why me?" He said his father's house was the least in the whole tribe of Manasseh and he was the youngest in the house. http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-judges-6.htm [/quote] What makes Gideon so interesting is, he kept asking God for signs :) God understood, and was very obliging That's how awesome our God is --- Judges 6:16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. 17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then [b]shew me a sign that thou talkest with me[/b]. [/quote] Gideon asks God to be patient with him, and let him bring an offering to set before him. God agreed. Judges 6:18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again. [/quote] Gideon prepared an offering that consisted of a baby goat and unleavened cakes: Judges 6:19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. [/quote] When Gideon presented the offering, an angel of the Lord gave him further instructions: Judges 6:20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. [/quote] Then the angel showed Gideon a very convincing sign - he touch the flesh with his staff, and fire consumed it and the cakes: Judges 6:21 Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and [b]touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes[/b]. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight. [/quote] Here is a repost of Gideon's asking God for a sign: Judges 6:17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then [b]shew me a sign that thou talkest with me --- At this point he had no further doubts that it was the Lord who spoke to him: Judges 6:22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. [/quote] After this Gideon tore down the altar of baal and erected one to the Lord God on high; sending the people around him into a frenzy. When Gideon realized his life was in danger - he once again pleaded to God for reassurance and another sign. [/quote] Gideon asks God once again - Are you 'sure' I'm your guy? If so (for proof) - let me put out this bit of fleece - and if there is dew on it in the morning - and no wetness on the ground I'll believe it's to be. Judges 6:36 And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, 37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. [/quote] And God graciously provided the sign Gideon ask for - Twice: First: Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. and a second time - for more proof - God reversed it: Judges 6:40 And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. [/quote] After this miraculous display - Gideon is all ears; ready to save Israel by his 'own' hands. In this regard - God wants him to take as few people as possible into battle against the midianites, lest they think that sheer numbers defeated them. [/quote] Judges 7:2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. ---- God told Gideon to send home any that were afraid - and the rest he said - test them by bringing them to the water. Those that lapped it like a dog - were the ones he was to take with him. [/quote] [/quote] Apparently, some bible translations are mixing up the verses where God tells Gideon to take the men with him that lapped up the water, and are instead saying those that drank from their hands: Small excerpt: Dozens of you vigorously protested my interpretation of Judges, 7:5-7, the passage about how Gideon reduces the size of his army. At God’s orders, Gideon takes his men to the water and has them drink. I wrote: “Gideon sends home any soldier that picks up water with his hands. He keeps only the soldiers who lap up water with their tongues, like dogs. That leaves him with just 300 men.” According to many of you, I’m dead wrong: You say Gideon actually sent home the men who lapped like dogs and kept the 300 men who picked up water with their hands.... [/quote] God confirms these are the 300 men to take with him, and send the rest home: Judges 7:7 And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. [/quote] Then Gideon discovers what God meant when he said - I will deliver the Midianites into your hands. The methods God used were unusual, but nevertheless, victory was guaranteed: God used the confusion in the ranks of the Midianite army to set the Midians against themselves. It is written: Judges 7:22 When they blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord set every man's sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah,[a] as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. [/quote] So how did Gideon do it? How did Gideon win the battle with only 300 soldiers? Small Excerpt: Gideon was extremely worried and discouraged by such a small army of 300 men going up against 135,000 enemy soldiers. In mercy, the Lord directed Gideon to secretly go into the Midianite camp where He would give him a sign of encouragement. Gideon heard a dialogue between some Midiante soldiers: “there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, “I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed. Then his companion answered and said, “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp” (Judges 7:13, 14).... https://bibleask.org/how-did-gideon-win-the-battle-with-only-300-soldiers/ [/quote] Strengthened by God’s message - he divided the 300 men into 3 groups: More from enduringword: So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers; they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing; and they cried, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!” And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath. And the men of Israel gathered together from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and pursued the Midianites.... https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/judges-7/ ---- God's battle plan for Gideon was one of the most atypical in all of military history. The only rival plans are the conquest of Jericho and the defeat of Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea. [/quote] Supporting verses: Judges 7:9 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; [b]for I have delivered it into thine hand.[/b] --- Here God is telling Gideon - before the battle has even started, He has delivered the midianites into his hands. How? Through a dream: Judges 7:11 [b]And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened[/b] to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.... 13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, [b]Behold, I dreamed a dream[/b], and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. 14 [b]And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host....[/b] [/quote] There was no place for the Midianites to escape to: Judges 7:23 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites. 24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. [/quote] Despite Gideons fears and doubts he turned out to be the right man to lead Israel after all. And of course in all battles - the leaders must be dealt with: Judges 7:25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan. [/quote] Lessons to be learned from the story about Gideon: Short excerpt: From zero to hero: Hear His voice Listen to God’s leading voice in your life. As we go from day to day, we may feel like we come up against walls and insurmountable obstacles; moments when we see our enemyMost often when a Christian refers to his or her “enemies” they are speaking about the sin in their flesh and the temptations and lusts that arise from there. These are enemies because they tempt us to act contrary to the will of God. These can also be spiritual powers such as the spirit of the times which oppose the... More – the sin that is rooted deeply in us – and we become tempted to feel afraid that we don’t stand a chance to win this battle. But He knows who we are and He has chosen us before the beginning of time to emerge as victors over our indwelling sinSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More! When we put God in charge of leading our decisions, we will become conquerors! https://activechristianity.org/gideon-from-zero-to-hero [/quote] 3 Important Lessons Gideon Teaches Us about Prayer Small excerpt: God has a much greater mission than demonstrating his greatness. His mission is demonstrating his love. His greatest challenge was getting his people to receive that from him. In Gideon’s case, that was about to change. “Don’t go away…” Gideon said to God. “And the Lord said, ‘I will stay here until you return’” (Judges 6:18). And then God did a lot more than that. --- Asking God to not leave you when you need him most - and his saying I won't leave you, is an awesome display of his love for us. [/quote] Next, Gideon had to deal with the criticism from the men of Ephraim for not including them in the battle with the midianites: Judges 7:1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. [/quote] Gideon abated their anger by saying he's done nothing for Israel compared to what they're doing. It was God, not he, that delivered the midianites into their hands. Judges 8:2 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that. [/quote] Gideon gives all the glory to God - but it doesn't end here Judges 8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. 5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.-- --- Gideon and his men were still in pursuit of the kings of median, and by the time they reached Jordan were weak from hunger. He asked the men who were there for sustenance and they refused... [/quote] The princes of Succoth refused to give them food, because they were yet to have captured Zebah and Zalmunna... This angered Gideon and he told them - when God does deliver them you will be cursed... --- Judges 8:6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army? 7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers. [/quote] He had the same response when he approached the men of Penuel: --- 8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him. [/quote] Therefore, he had harsh words for them also: 9 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower. [/quote] So, Gideon and his men defeated Zebah and Zalmunna's army & pursued Zebah and Zalmunna when they fled: --- Judges 8:0 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. 11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure. [/quote] Gideon caught up with Nebah and Jogbehah - ending the battle once and for all. ----- Judges 8:12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host. [/quote] Just as Gideon promised - after the battle he returned to the elders of Succoth, reminded them how they refused he and his men bread - and disciplined them: Judges 8:15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary? 16...took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. [/quote] The men of Penuel fared far worse: Judges 8:17 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city. [/quote] Questioning Zebah and Zalmunna they confessed to killing Gideon's people: Judges 8:18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. 19 And he [Gideon] said, They were my brethren [/quote] Gideon tells them they even killed his brothers: Judges 8:18 ...even the sons of my mother [/quote] Then proceeded to issue an indictment: if you'd spared them, I wouldn't kill you - but you showed no mercy. Judges 8:19...as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you. [/quote] When Gideon commanded his first son to slay them - he refused because he was afraid. Zebah and Zalmunna told Gideon it was his duty to do so, and Gideon complied: Judges 8:20 And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. 21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks. [/quote] According to biblehub - these ornaments around the camels neck were "little moons," crescent-shaped ornaments of gold and silver, still in common use to decorate animals. Some have thought that these were worn in honour of Astarte, or the moon, the goddess of the Phoenicians, from whom these people had borrowed that idolatry. [/quote] Judges 8:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian [/quote] Gideon's response was - no - I will not rule over you: Judges 8:23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you [/quote] Israel during the time of judges was mostly a theocracy - and Gideon reminds them of this: Judges 8:23 ...the Lord shall rule over you. [/quote] After this Gideon makes an odd request: Judges 8:24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) [/quote] According to biblehub - we are discovering a weakness in Gideon - the want of prosperity: Verse 24. - I would desire a request of you. Again human weakness breaks out in this great man, and we seem to see the effect of great prosperity in stirring up selfish desires in his heart. It was perhaps not without significance that mention was made in ver. 21 of his taking the ornaments that were on the camels' necks in connection with the slaughter of the kings. Anyhow we have now a second instance of a love of spoil. It seems to have been a national custom with the Ishmaelites, among whom the Midianites are reckoned (see Genesis 37:25-28), to wear golden rings; hence when they came to strip the slain there was a vast booty of gold rings. These Gideon asked for as his share... [/quote] The people readily agreed to his request: Judges 8:25 And they answered, We will willingly give them to you [/quote] The spoils were of a significant value: Judges 8:26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks. [/quote] Gideon depended on God for his decisions on the battlefield, but forgot to be prayerful in his duties as a judge: Judges 8:27 And [b]Gideon made an ephod thereof[/b], and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it.... [/quote] That bad decision pretty much plagued him his entire life: Judges 8:27...which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house. [/quote] Question: "What was the significance of the ephod?" Answer: In the Old Testament, the ephod has two meanings. In one group of passages, it signifies a garment... It is certain that the word cannot here refer to a garment. This is evident in Judges 8:26–27, where it is recorded that Gideon took the golden earrings of the Midianites, weighing 1,700 shekels of gold, and made an “ephod thereof... The most natural inference from all these passages is that “ephod” here signifies an image that was set up in the sanctuary, especially since the word is cited with teraphim, which undoubtedly refers to graven images (Hosea 3:4). The conclusion is that ephod, in these cases, refers to a portable idol.... https://www.gotquestions.org/ephod.html [/quote] Once again we see it was 40 years of peace in Israel: Judges 8:28 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in [b]quietness forty years[/b] in the days of Gideon. [/quote] Summary of how God made Gideon (the skeptic), into Gideon, the hero: Judges 6: 1-5 the people of Israel worship other gods and God becomes angry. He decides to send the Midianites out against them. Judges 6: 6-10 the people are frustrated and cry out to God. He sends a prophet who tells them why they’re being oppressed. He wants them to repent. Judges 6: 11-13 an angel of the Lord appears to Gideon and tells him that he has been chosen by God to free his people. Judges 6: 14-16 Gideon questions God’s decision for choosing him. He claims to be too weak to accomplish this feat. Judges 6: 17-40 Gideon questions God again and makes special requests to validate his choice. Gideon finally believes the Lord. Judges 7:2 Gideon had selected many warriors, but God wanted their numbers reduced so that they would not claim that the victory came from them. Judges 7: 18-25 Gideon and his forces defeat the Midianites. Judges 8: 28 Gideon ruled the Israelites for 40 years before he died. Judges 8:33 after Gideon had died, the people of Israel started to worship foreign gods once again. https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/gideon-judge-in-israel/ [/quote] Once Gideon and his son died - the Israelis turned against God again, worshiping Baalim and Baalberith: Judges 8:32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. 33 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and [b]made Baalberith their god[/b]. [/quote] By the time Abimelech (son of Gideon) et. al. died, the Israelis worshiped Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines...Completely forsaking God. God was so disgusted with them he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.... ---- Abimelech was a son of Gideon, the King of Israel, and his concubine from Shechem. He sought to rule over Shechem by killing all other sons of Gideon, who were all slain except for Gideon's youngest son, Jotham. Abimelech then became the King of Shechem, ruling for three years before a conspiracy arose against him. He commanded by force, murdered his opposition, and led in such a manner that even his subjects sought to overthrow him. A civil war broke out, leading to a battle at a town called Thebez where Abimelech surrounded the leaders of the city in a tower and approached with the intention of burning it down. However, a woman in the tower heroically dropped a large rock on Abimelech's head and cracked his skull. Nearing death, he called out to a comrade to stab him as being killed by a woman was considered disgraceful in that time. This was an appropriate end for Abimelech's malevolent regime and the evil he had committed against his own brothers and people. In contrast to the positive lead of his father, Abimelech focused on his own personal gain, hurting many in the process.... https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/the-bible-story-of-abimelech.html [/quote] Next, another notable character in Judges besides Deborah (the only judge who was a prophet(ess)) and Gideon (the skeptic and coward) is Sampson, who's better known when paired with a woman named Delilah i.e. Sampson and Delilah. [/quote] The events surrounding Samson’s conception were clearly out of the ordinary. His mother received a visitation from an angel and she knew her son would be very special. [/quote] Here's a little background on the life of Sampson - before I delve into Judges 13: Samson Accomplishing God's Purpose the Hard Way Small Excerpt: Ask someone who was the strongest man in the Bible and you’ll likely hear “Samson.” After all, it’s not every day that one hears of a man who kills 1,000 men in hand-to-hand combat. Armed with only the jawbone of a donkey, Samson was one tough adversary (Judges 15:15). Set during the time of Israel’s judges some 3,000 years ago, Samson’s life was a highly unusual one—yet one that bears lessons for us today.... As we consider Samson’s life, it is important for us to understand from the outset that God is not calling men today to imitate Samson’s conduct. As a physical, carnal nation, ancient Israel waged war with other nations. New Testament Christians, however, look to future citizenship in God’s Kingdom, which is not of this world, and do not fight in physical warfare, being ministers of life, not death (see Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44; John 18:36; 2 Corinthians 3:6)... https://www.ucg.org/vertical-thought/samson-accomplishing-gods-purpose-the-hard-way [/quote] A little more background on Sampson: God gave Samson the unique job of weakening the Philistine nation during the time of Israel’s judges—a job He is not giving to people today. Furthermore, like everyone, Samson did some things right and he also made mistakes - Big ones!! [/quote] Finally - Sampson God it!! Samson clearly understood God’s purpose for his life—to weaken the Philistine nation... Did he? [/quote] Judges 13 Unsurprisingly enough: 1 And the children of Israel [b]did evil again[/b] in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. [/quote] In the story of Sampson - we see prophecy playing an important role in the life of Zorah and Manoah: Judges 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; [b]and his wife was barren, and bare not[/b]. 3 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: [b]but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son[/b]. [/quote] Manoah was given a set of precautions and instructions to follow if she wanted to carry the baby to full term: Judges 13:4 Now therefore [b]beware, I pray thee[/b], and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing [/quote] The angel of the Lord continued - this child will be a 'very special' child: Judges 13:5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb [/quote] Then the angel told her why he was so special: Judges 13:5 ...and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines [/quote] The angel of the Lord who spoke to Manoah had a look to her that terrified her: Judges 13:6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible... [/quote]
Original Message
In Mathew 24 Jesus' disciples ask when will the world end?
Jesus answered and said - When you SEE ALL these things - this is the generation that will see all prophecy fulfilled (Math 24:33).
He literally means seeing, i.e. through webcams, videos, computers etc.
What are ALL the things we shall SEE?
Earthquakes, disease and wars in many places around the world. (Math 24:7)
Only in this generation has this been possible - at these websites:
ds.iris.edu/seismon/;
outbreaks.globalincidentmap.com/
Ancients didn't have the ability to SEE or know of earthquakes and disease on the other side of the world i.e. Alaska etc - nor would they care?
We should care however, because Jesus tells us these things will start out slowly like birth pangs and accelerate to apocalyptic levels. When this happens (and they are accelerating), we'll have a sign the end is near.
Next - When we SEE "the evil one" in the temple from a field or rooftop - this is the start of Great Tribulation.
Why would Jesus use the examples field or rooftop?
How would you SEE "satan's man" standing in the holy place from a field?
Only way I know is with a mobile device i.e. smartphone. Therefore this prophecy couldn't happen until we had mobile devices.
This "evil person" will be so arrogant, he'll have his conquest of Jerusalem streamed live to the internet - for all to see and hear his declaration that he is greater than the God of the universe. (2 Thes 2).
Keep in mind only a priest can enter the "holy place" - so no worshipers will be in there.
Additionally, he gives a dire warning for those in Judeae/Jerusalem flee to mountains. where God has prepared a place of safety for them. (Math 24:15-18, 21) .
Every example he uses is very carefully chosen, and conveys something important, and relevant to the entire world.
He tells us we will NOT be caught unaware - that these things will happen all together; not one here or there - ALL.
Here are some more prophecies that require internet:
The gospel will be preached unto all the nations of the earth and then "the end". (Math 24:14)
All will be required to take a mark of the beast to buy or sell. (Rev 13:16). With so many people in the world today, we need computers to keep track of everyone - and THEY are doing this already.
All will SEE his (antichrist) image move and speak, and be required to worship this image that is alive and can move and speak. (Rev 13:15)
Hmmmm - TV, youtube, computer, mobile device.
All will SEE the antichrist kill 2 witnesses in Jerusalem. After 3 days God will have them rise on their feet, and ascend into heaven in front of the whole world.
Ezekiel 39:21 - ALL will SEE God punish the nations that attack Israel in the gog magog war (coming soon).
All this will be accomplished in one generation.
ALL these things must be happening simultaneously also:
evil abounding - love grows cold: porn number one industry on internet. No shortage examples evilness on internet today.
many offended - political correctness to point can't say something without being killed, fired or going to jail.
christians beheaded - on youtube and other places nonetheless.
Jesus will be hated - we know satan is trying to rid the world of anything having to do with Jesus.
many false prophets - oh yeah
many claim to be christ - yep - but the "real fake" is yet to come.
I'll talk about Israel separately - because it offends many :)
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