In this message, I will share with you two of at least five signs that let us know that we are in the generation of the Lord's return. These two signs that I will share with you today have already been fulfilled. But first, allow me to make it clear that the Lord wants us to know the generation and the season of His second return to the earth!
In I Thessolonias 5:1-4 the Holy Spirit speaks through the Apostle Paul concerning the second return of the Lord. We read, "Now brothers and sisters, about the times and dates we do not need to write to you, v.2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. v.3 While people are saying, 'peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. v.4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surpise you like a thief." Did you notice in this passage that the Day of tht Lord only comes like a thief in the night on those who are not expecting His return? It will not come like a thief in the night upon the believing and expecting Church! The flood in Noah's day came upon an unbelieving world suddenly, "like a thief in the night." But it did not come upon Noah and his family in this way because they were walking with God and were prepared for the coming judgment! So shall it be at the second return of the Lord! The world will not be ready for His return, but the believing church will be ready! Now onto the signs that let us know that we are in the generation of the Lord's return.
The first sign that lets us know that we are in the generation of the Lord's return is the rebirth of Israel in 1948. Israel had to be a nation again in order for numerous Bible prophcies to be fulfilled (See Genesis 17:19; Romans 11:25-29; Zechariah chapters 12&14 among literally dozens of passages that speak of Israel and end-time prophecy). It is also an established fact that no nation that was without a homeland for more than forty years survived as a nation. But Israel was without a homeland for 2000 years and yet, she not only survived but became a nation again on May 14, 1948! That friend is a miracle! Keep in mind that Israel, the chosen nation of God, is the Lord's prophetic clock. It is my conviction that that clock began to tick again in 1948. Further, I believe that the generation that witnessed this miracle will not pass away until all things are fulfilled. It is important to know that a generation according to the Bible is between 40 and 100 years ( See Numbers 32:13; Psalm 90:10; Genesis 15:13-16). What that means is that the latest date of the Lord's return would be 2048, although I believe it will be much sooner than that. There is much more that could be said but let me give you the second sign that has been fulfilled that lets us know that we are in the generation of the Lord's return.
In June of 1967, five Arab countries attacked Israel hoping to annihilate them. But instead, in just six days Israel defeated them and took control of Jerusalem again for the first time since 70AD. That event was incredibly significant prophetically. First of all it fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke 21:24 where He said that". . . Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
Secondly, the Jews had to have control of Jerusalem in order for the prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 23:39 to be fulfilled. Here Jesus prophesied that the Jewish leadership would not see Him again until they would say, "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." For this prophecy to be fulfilled, there had to be a Jewish nation (1948) and the Jews had to have control of the city of Jerusalem (1967). That has happened!
Friends, these are two signs that tell us that we are in the generation of the Lord's return! It is time to wake up and be watchful! More will be coming in future blogs, but let this word encourage you and exhort you to be fully awake as the return of the Lord is drawing near.
I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!
Jimmy Hammock
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