The End of Time

Donald Karnes - The End of Time

I liked history when in school and teachers' college. Now it serves well to have some knowledge of history. I see things in the Bible confirmed by history! Events now happening in the Middle East point to the fulfillment of Scriptures. Zechariah 14 tells of all nations gathered against Jerusalem. That condition exists right now. It's a powder-keg just waiting for the match to set off the explosion of the entire Middle East. Yet we know what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3. He mentions 8 verses to describe marks that will be seen during the perilous times.

I am led to believe that the Beast that had the deadly wound which was later healed is Muslim fundamentalism, as they fit into the Bible picture. They were very strong back in the 10th and 11th centuries. They nearly conquered all Europe at that time. They came across North Africa, killing off the entire Roman civilization. If people didn't become Mohammedans they'd cut their throats. A 'pincher movement', one army went up through Spain and the other army crossed Turkey killing off all the Christians. Remember the 7 churches of Asia Minor were in what is now called Turkey. They continued in Bulgaria and were beaten back at the walls of Vienna. All Europe stirred and arose as one man to save their lives and their Christian faith. It was a life and death struggle. No quarters were asked and no prisoners were taken! The Europeans fought these "invaders" to a standstill! These Mohammedans fought on to the very end. They were badly beaten. They received a stunning defeat! They were routed, a terrible debacle. So wounded that many thought it was a fatal wound, that they would never rise again! It took them years to recover.

They remained in a dormant condition almost 1000 years. Now the deadly wound is healed. They are awakened and want their former power and prestige back. They once ruled from Spain to India and all North Africa. They tried to take over Black Africa, but they couldn't conquer "malaria of the rain-forest" of Africa. Their goal now is to destroy Israel and then the USA. The bombing of New York Trade Center is just one sentence out of their book to regain their former greatness and from there "go on to dominate the entire world." We believe God is just working out His Eternal Plan and no man can stay His Hand. He is fulfilling the scriptures. The "healing of the deadly wound" of the beast, that is, they'll return to their former power and prestige, and also to the Koran, as some of the Arabic nations have deviated from the Koran. They once ruled such a vast domain, much of the known world back there, 500 years before Columbus. Now chafing and frustrated by their defeat and stagnation of past centuries, they have lost their grip, both civil and spiritual, over countries where once they ruled. Muslims are on the move everywhere to "recapture and return to their former glory" and above all to the Koran, for they are all wanting to die for their God.

The first thing on their agenda is the destruction of Israel! That little country of 2.5 million Israelites is surrounded by vast areas and at least a 100 Arabs for every Jew. Little Israel is like a tiny spot on the map. Every Arab nation has sworn to drive the Jews into the sea. All points to the fulfillment, a great time of suffering. Only those whose names are written in the Book will be saved and their residue will not be cut off. But when these nations are gathering to destroy Israel, the Lord's feet shall touch down on the Mt. of Olives and He will go forth to fight for them as in the day of battle. Romans 11:25-26. When the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, then all Israel will be saved. I don't understand how all this will happen, but I believe the Bible, and all shall come to pass as it is written. Jesus in Luke 21:36: "Watch and pray that ye might be accounted worthy to escape all these things when it shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man." Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my Word shall never pass away."

His promises are surer than His natural laws! There are certain things that money can't buy. Money can buy a house but cannot buy a home! Money can buy food but cannot buy an appetite! Money can buy medicine, but not health! Money can buy religion but cannot buy salvation! Money can buy sermons but cannot buy the Gospel! Money can buy the Bible but cannot buy the blessings and the promises given in the Bible! Money can buy knowledge but cannot buy wisdom! Money can buy talk but it cannot buy time. People waste time, serve time, kill time! Kill time! It's not murder; it's suicide! Yet salvation is found within the brackets of time!

Revelation 10 speaks of a mighty angel standing with one foot on the earth and the other foot on the sea, proclaiming with a powerful voice that time is no more. It doesn't mean the end of the world nor of an age. It means time and opportunity are past. It means it's too late to repent and believe the Gospel. Time for repentance is no more. Like clay in the Potter's Hands, can be modeled, fashioned and shaped, but once in the furnace it can never be changed. That's what Revelation 22:11 means: "He that is righteous let him be righteous still, he that is defiled, let him be defiled still." It means: They must remain forever as they are! When we die our spirits return to God and whatever kind of a spirit we might have then, it will be the same for all eternity! No wonder Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work, nor device nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." Even this verse needs to be tempered with the verse that follows. "The race is not to the swift." (It's an obstacle race.) "The battle is not to the strong." (Think of wee David, killing the mighty giant.) "Neither yet bread to the wise." It's revelation, not information. It's divine direction, not human skill. The disciples fished all night and caught nothing! Jesus said, "Cast your net on the right side of the ship!" And they got a great haul of fish, that even the nets began to break. They had to signal to others to come and help. They filled both boats till they began to sink! "Nor riches to men of understanding." Proverbs 13:7 "There is that maketh himself rich and hath nothing! There is he that maketh himself poor and hath great riches." Many hands make light work.

I am writing letters. More than 64 years in the work, so don't expect much of me! I asked Troy Craig, our elder brother, for a job. His answer: "We want you to answer the dinner bell, write letters, and prepare for meetings."  So, I'm getting to spend more time than usual studying the Bible. This is getting long, so must close.  Trust that these lines find you well and encouraged. I will close with every Good Wish in Christ, Your letters are appreciated! !

Donald Karnes