2002 In Review

In His Olivet Discourse (Matthew chapters 24 and 25; and Luke 21), Jesus gave us a list of signs that would precede His return to Earth. They include False Christs, Wars and rumors of wars, Earthquakes, Famines, Plagues,, Signs in the Heavens, and Persecution.

He then gave us this parable:

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. - Matthew 24:32-36 (NIV).

The evident meaning of this parable is that the generation that sees these things beginning to happen will not pass away until all have been fulfilled. We have more reason than any other generation that has ever existed to believe that we are living in the last days.

The Rapture of the Church

To better understand this, consider this brief outline of the things that must still happen on earth before Christ returns as King of Kings. Scholars who take the Bible literally generally agree on these major aspects, though some differ about the timing of the events and of the Rapture (catching away of the Church). Jesus Christ will call His true believers up to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Tribulation

Soon after that, a powerful leader (Antichrist) will appear - one who will have solutions to the political and economic woes of the earth (Revelation 6:1-2). When Israel is finally at peace, presumably because of a good agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, there will be a great war (Revelation 6:3-4). This will probably the same as the war of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38 and 39) in which a northern power, possibly Russia, and its allies, including many nations of the Islamic world, will attack Israel, and, in the process, be defeated by God. A nuclear exchange is a possibility (fire and brimstone), thus weakening the United States, and removing it from its place as the only remaining superpower. The end of this war could also be the occasion of a seven-year peace treaty between Israel and the one who is destined to become Antichrist. The world will suffer many global calamities, including famine and plagues. Jesus called this a time of tribulation. (Matthew 24:9-14 – v. 9 says “Then they will deliver you to tribulation.” NAS – Other versions translate the Greek word thlipsis as affliction or persecution.)

The Great Tribulation

During this time the brilliant leader will consolidate his power until, at the middle of the seven years (Daniel 9:27), he will require people to worship him and to accept the "Mark of the Beast" on either their forehead or right hand (Revelation 13). Without the mark, no one will be allowed to buy or sell. At this point in the future there will be a virtual one-world government, a religious system that encompasses all the earth, and gives its power to Antichrist (Revelation 17), a method of controlling all commerce, and a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem.

For the remainder of this time (the "Great Tribulation"), the earth will be punished by supernatural judgments (Revelation chapters 16-18).

The Return of Christ in Glory

Antichrist, in desperation will call Jesus Christ down to battle. At this war, The Battle of Armageddon, Jesus will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19), and will set up a righteous kingdom on Earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-6). After that, there will be a new Heaven and a New Earth.(Revelation chapters 21-22).

Documentation for all of these events may be found in the pages of the PROPHECY CENTRAL website (https://www.bible-prophecy.com).

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Matthew 24:6-7

More than one quarter of the nations of the world were involved in conflict during the year. According to the National Defense Council Foundation, fifty-three out of the world’s one hundred-ninety-one nations struggled with conflict during 2002. Worldwide terrorism, and the effort to contain it, was the biggest story of the year.

War on Terrorism

The United States and Great Britain, with little support from other nations, rooted out al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The country is now in the process of being rebuilt with U.S. and U.N. aid. It is likely, but not at all certain, that Osama bin Laden died in the process. Taped recordings, purportedly from him, have been released lately, but experts doubt that they are authentic. Many al Qaeda escaped to Pakistan, and from there, they have moved to various countries, including Israel, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

President Bush had warned soon after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack, that the U.S. will pursue terrorists wherever they exist in the world, and that nations which harbor them will be considered our enemies. He also named an “Axis of Evil,” including Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. They are considered dangerous because of their development of nuclear weapons and their hatred of America. Pakistan escaped inclusion in this group because of their support of the military action in Afghanistan. There is, however, a strong anti-American movement in that country, with the possibility that they will not be cooperative in the future. Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have vacillated during this time, sometimes encouraging the punishment of Osama bin Laden, and other times, saying that the war against terrorism is really a war against Islam.

At home, President Bush’s popularity has remained high. Polls consistently give him high marks, showing that the American people as a whole trust his leadership and believe that he is doing a good job of responding to the threat of terrorism.

The Anthrax deaths which began soon after the 911 Attack ended early in the year. During the year there was a growing concern about the possibility of a Smallpox attack. Health workers have begun to receive vaccinations, and there is a possibility that all Americans will need them in the future.

A lone sniper attack at the El Al counter in the Los Angeles airport occurred on July 4, and a series of sniper shootings caused the death of 10 innocent people in the Washington D.C. area in October. In both cases, Islamic radicals were involved, but the media was not willing to expose the connection.

Attacks in other parts of the world

As expected, terrorism cropped up in various places around the globe during the year. Some of the more notable instances include the kidnapping and killing of Wall Street Journal bureau chief Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in February. Pakistani officials captured and convicted the al Qaeda operative who was responsible.

In October two popular nightclubs were bombed on the resort island of Bali in Indonesia. More than 180 people were killed, and over 300 injured in the attack. Victims included tourists from many countries, especially Australians. Individuals from the Jemaah Islamiyah, an Islamic radical group affiliated with al Qaeda were eventually apprehended for the crime.

Later that same month, more than 600 hostages were held hostage in a Moscow theater. The rebels demanded a Russian withdrawal from the breakaway republic of Chechnya. The Russians ended the stand-off a few days later by pumping a secret nerve gas into the theater, unfortunately killing, not only the 50 terrorists, but 117 hostages as well.

Prophecy trends advanced by the War on Terrorism

In last year’s year-end review we suggested six areas of prophetic interest that would be affected by the War on Terrorism. Here is a brief recap of these points with some additional information from this year’s news.

1 - The Effect on World Peace

Jesus predicted a lack of peace in the last days. It would be a time characterized by “wars and rumors of wars.” (Matthew 24:6-7). Terrorism has robbed Israel and other nations of peace for many years, but now there is the threat of violence literally everywhere, and people long for peace. Such a world is ripe for the “solutions” that will be offered by Antichrist when he appears as a messiah for mankind.

2 - The Effect on Israel

Escalation of violence in Israel
Ever since Israel became a nation in 1948 they have either been at war with their neighbors, or on alert for war. There has never been a time in these 53 years when they have been truly at peace. While the rest of the world is beginning to feel the pain of terrorism, Israel is suffering even more, with a deadly struggle between their people and the Palestinian people in their country. Gruesome suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks kill and maim innocent civilians regularly. In November, the carnage stretched beyond the borders of the country, targeting vacationing Israelis in Kenya.

3 - The Effect on Technology and Security

The need for security has given rise to invasive governmental programs, such as the snooping provisions of the new Homeland Security Act. People are willing to trade their privacy for protection. National I.D. cards and even implanted chips for identification are being planned. All of this leads to the “Mark of the Beast” scenario predicted in Revelation 13:16-17: He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Meanwhile, computer technology continues to accommodate these developments, expanding the Internet and E-commerce, increasing capabilities while decreasing the size of equipment, improving wireless connectivity, and placing computers in every possible device, making it impossible for anyone to escape their reach.

4 - The Effect on The Economy

Just as the attackers had hoped, the September 11 attack did great damage to American business. In spite of the assistance of a “war economy,” the country has suffered a recession to some degree. In an unrelated development, scandalous practices by executives ruined a number of giant corporations. The Dow Jones average finished the year down more than 16%. There is also concern about the effect of the price of oil if we go to war with Iraq. This trend gives opportunity for others, such as the European Union to make progress .while the U.S. declines.

5 - The Effect on the New World Order

Rise of a "Revived Roman Empire"

Students of prophecy have long expected a final form of world government to start by a rebirth of the old Roman Empire. The basis for this belief is the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, as interpreted by Daniel (Daniel 2), which portrayed world empires from the time of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon (Head of Gold). Subsequent Empires would be the Medo-Persian (Chest and arms of silver), the Greek (Brass thighs), the Roman (Iron legs). Finally, a last-days empire, made partly of iron -- the Roman Empire - and partly of clay would exist at the time that Messiah's eternal empire would come, crushing the feet and causing the fall of worldly empires. The formation of the European Union, with its charter document, The Treaty of Rome, is a strong possibility for the fulfillment of this prophecy.

During this past year the European Union has grown much stronger.

It is considering a new constitution, and the possibility of being called the “United States of Europe.” It recently arranged to absorb 10 new nations, bringing an end to the division in Europe.

"For the first time in history Europe will become one because unification is the free will of its people," said Romano Prodi, the President of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm.

Other One-World Organizations

The United Nations made its presence felt on the world scene, especially in regard to the conflict with Iraq (see below).

A World Court came into existence this year in The Hague. It is to be "an international judicial organ for the trial of persons charged with genocide." The United States has not ratified it, but it has more than enough member nations to make it official.

The United States is also contributing to the process with its efforts toward coalition-building and nation-building.

6 - The Effect on the Rise of a World Religion

The War Against Terrorism has continued to encourage the concept of the equality of religions. In public, The President opposes terrorists but insists that Muslims are peaceable at heart. Theologians who dare to tell the truth about the militant basis of Islam are labeled hate-mongers.

Iraq and prophecies about Babylon’s destruction

Only time will tell how significant this upcoming military action will be prophetically, but many Bible scholars point out that there are major Old Testament Prophecy, notably Isaiah Chapters 13 and 14, and Jeremiah Chapters 50 and 51, that indicate the actual land of Babylon (modern Iraq) will be made completely desolate. This was never fulfilled in ancient history, and must still relate to the future.

Additional War Developments

Nuclear threat between Pakistan and India

In May and June of 2002 Pakistan and India came dangerously close to a nuclear exchange over the disputed territory of Kashmir. Between the two countries, one million troops were deployed along the borders of Kashmir. A new study warned that if the issue erupted into even a “limited” nuclear war, three million people could die. The crisis passed.

U.S. Decision to establish anti-ballistic missile program

Reversing the strategy that prevailed during the Cold War, President Bush has ordered the deployment of anti-ballistic missiles. The plan calls for 10 ground-based interceptor missiles at Fort Greeley, Alaska, by 2004 and an additional 10 interceptors by 2005 or 2006. The purpose of the program is to protect the U.S. from incoming weapons of mass destruction from rogue countries. Predictably, Russia opposes the move.

North Korea’s nuclear threat

From October to December, North Korea caused alarm to the rest of the world by announcing plans to restart their nuclear reactor, which could be used to produce weapons-grade radioactive materials for nuclear weapons. Now they are threatening to withdraw from the nuclear treaty, saying that it is the fault of the U.S.

Growing Persecution

Apostasy and Revival

Cloning

Temple Mount

The Apostle Peter suggested that belief in prophecy should have a motivating and purifying effect.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives. - 2 Peter 3:11 (NIV).

Let us do all we can to share the Gospel with others while there is still time. If you have never received Christ as Savior, you can do it now. ( Are You Ready? --https://www.bible-prophecy.com/ready.htm)