NOTES:

(1) The end of the age will be punctuated by many wars and anxiety-producing rumors of wars. In Newsletter No. 1, I explained that the countdown toward the end of the age surely began in 1948, when the Covenant People (the Jews) returned the final time to the Covenant Land (Israel). Since 1948, there has not been one day without a war somewhere in the world (international war, civil war, or other period of unrest). Rumors of war have been especially rampant during the Cold War and Middle East conflicts. "You will hear" reminds us that instantaneous, worldwide comunication (radio, satellite television) has never been as rapid and thorough as at the present time. We are literally eyewitnesses to worldwide history, immediately as it happens.

(2) Jesus' choice of words aptly describes recent times. "Wars" translates the Greek polemus, and means "war, battle, dispute, strife, or quarrel." "Rumors" translates the Greek akoe, and means "a hearing of, rumor, or report." "Nation" translates the Greek ethnos, and means "a multitude of people, nation, or group of people." "Kingdom" translates the Greek basileia, and means "kingship, kingdom, or territory ruled by a king." We not only have traditional conflicts (nation against nation), but we have conflicts between groups of people (terrorist cell groups) against nations.

(3) Jesus reassured us that we should not worry about these wars. God has known about the wars since the creation of the Universe. Jesus tells us the wars must come. God is still in control, though. For the Christian, the future is all good-- it really is!-- no matter what evil men and Satan may try to bring upon us. 

(4) Jesus explained that "the end is not yet." Since this part of prophecy began in 1948, we surely have had-- and will continue to have-- a lengthy period of turmoil before Jesus' return.

What can we learn about end-time wars? God gives us a general outline of wars, but not a specific timetable. I am putting the order of these wars, as I understand that order, but others might rearrange the order a little.

I believe we presently are witnesing the first three phases of end-time wars-- persecution and martyrdom of Christians, rumors of wars, and terrorists' wars.

PERSECUTION AND MARTYRDOM OF CHRISTIANS: The first recorded Christian martyr was Stephen, who was stoned in AD 34 because of his faith (Acts 7:54-60). Oxford University history professor John Foxe (1516-1587) wrote a well-known book, Christian Martyrs of the World, in which he recounted martyrdom of the apostles and early Christians. Early martyrs remarkably went to their horrendous deaths joyfully, testifying about Jesus to their captors, and singing hymns of praise. Their unshakable faith confounded all persons around them. Some of these martyrs were eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. They could have been spared death, if they had only recanted their testimony, but none did! This faithfulness until death is powerful evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, as recorded in the New Testament. People will die for the Messiah, but not for a charlatan. 

Why mention this "war," which has lasted nearly two millennia? Italian journalist Antonio Socci estimates that 70-million Christian believers have been martyred since Stephen. Of these, 45.5-million Christians-- two-thirds of the total number of martyrs-- were martyred in the Twentieth Century. The Bible tells followers that we may be hated, as Jesus was hated (Matthew 10:16ff). Paul warned of perilous times in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1ff). We are told that any follower who holds onto faith, even though persecuted or martyred, will be eternally rewarded by receiving the Crown of Life for Christian Martyrs (Revelation 2:10).

Presently, God's Covenant People-- Jews and "engrafted Jews," Christians-- are being harrassed, persecuted, and martyred throughout the world simply because of their faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or His Son, Jesus. Most of this hatred comes at the hands of Hindus, Muslims, and Communist governments.

Even in the United States where freedom to worship is presumably guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, Christians are riduculed, harassed, and persecuted by government officials (including arrogant federal judges in their extraconstitutional decrees), businesses, news media, and entertainers. The recently released 2009 Barna Update ( www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=324 ) confirms what many have suspected for years: The United States is no longer a Christian nation, but a post-Christian nation, following in the apostasy of Europe and other nations. As Christians become apostate, as Christianity becomes more unpopular in a worldview citizenry, and as Christianity's enemies grow and are encouraged by the falling tides of public favor, Christians will be even more harassed, persecuted, and martyred. Verses about end-time apostasy (apostasy from the Greek: "a standing away from" or "a falling away") include: Matthew 24:10, 12; Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 18:8b; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 3:3-9; and Revelation 3:14-16. Verses about persecution and martyrdom include: Genesis 3:15; parts of Matthew 10:16-39; and 24:21 (a Tribulation passage); 2 Timothy 3:1; Revelation 6:9, 12:12, and 13:15-17 (Tribulation passages).

RUMORS OF WARS: Jesus said, "... you will hear of rumors of wars." Our lives have been filled with rumors and threats of wars, as nations and groups of people have risen up or threatened to rise up against others. Consider North Korea against South Korea; China against Taiwan,Tibet, and (soon?) India; Muslim nations against Israel; Pakistan against India; Russia against Georgia and former USSR states; and so forth. We hear of these rumors so readily because of enhanced coverage through satellite-fed, around-the-clock news reports. Verses include: Matthew 24:6-7; Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:9-10; and Revelation 6:3-4 (a Tribulation passage).

TERRORISTS' WARS: The United States, Israel, the European Union, India, and other countries have recently faced terrorists' attacks. These real and threatened attacks have come at the hand of Muslims. Attacks will undoubtedly intensify, as we progress toward the end of the age.

Paul warned of evil-hearted people at the end (2 Timothy 3:1-5a): But know this, that in the last last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money... unholy, unloving, unforgiving,... without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty,... having a form of godliness but denying its power. Israel has shouldered the brunt of terrorists' wars (jihad) from Muslim extremists coming across her borders. Any attempt by Israel to protect her sovereingty and her people is widely criticized by anti-Semites in Arab countries, Europe, the United States, and the United Nations.

NOTES: Before studying this war, understand three important aspects:

Note 1. Intractable warring between the sons and daughters of Abraham: I will soon present a newsletter on this important topic. If you do not understand that enmity between the Jews (and engrafted Jews-- the Christians) extends back thousands of years, you cannot understand the Middle East conflict. Politicians and news reporters and editors are mostly clueless in this regard.

All of the present combatants can trace their heritage back to Abraham or his kin. I will explain this interrelationship in a future newsletter.

Note 2. Apocalyptic Muslims-- a most dangerous enemy: There are more than one-billion Muslims. Most Muslims are nominal (in name only), as most Chritians are nominal (in name only). A minority of Muslims (ten per cent, more or less) are "apocalyptic." Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israeli news media gloss over this concept by calling them "fundamentalists" or "extremists."

In purest form, Islamists wish to return to the faith and practices of Mohammed (the Middle Ages). Such faith demands conversion of the world to the House of Islam. Islam means "submission and obedience" [to Allah, by conversion or death]. Westerners object to problematic practices, e.g., second-class treatment of women. Westerners also cannot accept sharia (sharia law). Sharia, translatig to "the way" or "the path to the water source," is a code of law derived from the Koran, originally intended to apply only to Muslims. For ten examples of Shariacontrary to Western jurisprudence, see Top Ten Reasons Why Sharia Is Bad for All Societies: www.americanthinker.com/2005/08/top_ten_reasons_why_sharia_is.html .

Both Sunni and Shiite Islamic tenets include end-time events (Arabic: aher alzaman). The Shiite version teaches that the Twelfth Imam has been hidden for centuries. This "messiah"-like person is called Imam Mahdi. It is said that Imam Mahdi will appear in Mecca and lead Mahdi's army throuhout the world, completely defeating infidels (unbelievers). The "Prophet Isa" (Jesus) is promised to return with Mahdi, but His status is said to be inferior to Imam Mahdi and the Prophet Mohammed.

It is believed that the Mahdi will not appear until there is worldwide chaos and war. Famous apocalyptic Muslims include terrorist Bin Laden and Iranian president Ahmadinezhad. Ahmadinezhad is so dangerous because he is developing (has developed?) nuclear weapons; harbors zealous hatred for Israel and the United States; and would consider it an honor to attack Israel with nuclear weapons to begin a worldwide war, bringing forth the appearane of Imam Mahdi. Oh, I forgot: President Obama plans to sit down with Ahmadinezhad and ask him to play nice with Israel by stopping Iran's nuclear weapon program.

The threat of Apocalyptic Islam to world peace cannot be nderstated. I will have more to say about this movement in a future newsletter.

Note 3. Hudna as a war tactic: Hudna, an Arabic word for "calm," is often translated and implies a temporary "truce, armistice, calm, quiet." In AD 628, 1,400 Muslims marched with Mohammed to Mecca to worship Allah. The Quraish tribe intercepted this party outside of Mecca. Realizing he was at a significant military disadvantage, Mohammed sued for peace. The Quraish and Muslims agreed to negotiate their differences and sign a peace truce. During the truce, Mohammed strengthened his army, both in the number of men and cache of weapons. In AD 629, Mohammed attacked from a position of military superiority, and defeated the Quraish.

Hudna has been a respected Muslim war tactic since that time. Since 1948, several wars and skirmishes between Israel and her Muslim enemy-neighbors have occurred. Israel, always seeking shalom (peace), has embraced peace overtures from her enemies. After every period of peace (after hudna), Israel has again been attacked.

Outside interference (the Quartet of Nations and former President Jimmy Carter and others) have achieved no peace. This failure is in itself a manifestation of prophecy of "that day"-- the end of the age (Zechariah 12:3): [Says the LORD] "And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it." The prophecy continues to show that God's strength will be poured out on Israel to protect her.

Israel recently stood down from her attack on the Palestinians in Gaza, negotiaing a truce. The Palestinians immediately began re-arming their combatants, obviously using this truce as hudna. I previously cited 2 Timothy 3:1ff as an end-time prophecy. Note the second translated word in the third verse. It is translated "unforgiving" in the version I am using. The Greek word is aspondos. A better translation is "implacable (enemy)" or "trucebreaker." Israel certainly is dealing with implacable enemies who think nothing of breakig a truce. After all, a broken truce is just hudna as usual.

Read Psalm 83. In another newsletter, I will address this psalm and other Scriptures which speak of Israel's enemies.

THE GOOD NEWS: As Jesus commanded, do not worry about these wars. He told us that these wars MUST happen. For the Christian, the news is STILL ALL GOOD. Jesus is our Savior. I believe He is about ready to come at any moment. Let Satan and evil men have this world. This world is not our home. Rather, our home is with Jesus in New Jersalem (Heaven). You and I only have a few items left on our "checklists," including:

** You and I need to serve as "watchmen on the wall" to warn others of the coming danger, that they may be saved from their sins. We need to take as many souls with us to Heaven as we can.

**You and I need to be "overcomers" of sin. We need to ready ourselves to appear as Jesus' brides-- worthy; holy; and free of spot, wrinkle, or blemish. We cannot accompish this, without acceptance of the cleansing blood of our Passover Lamb, Jesus the Christ.

FINALLY: I have much more to say about these matters, but I have already written too much in this newsletter, I fear.

Please follow my Website, Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy in Today's News, www.prophecyfulfillment.com. I try to add links to news stoies daily.

I will soon have a weekly one-hour prophecy program sent by Internet radio streaming on www.ironmountainradio.com. Stay "tuned."

If you wish to write me, my email address is raymondfinney@ymail.com. If you wish to call me, my home telephone number is (865) 984.1424.

If you have questions, comments, or-- especially-- if you need to know how to become a Christian, PLEASE contact me.

NEXT ISSUE: I will continue the study of end-time wars.

May God bless and protect you and your family. Maranatha! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Raymond Finney

Maryville, Tennessee U.S.A.

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