HISTORY AND BEYOND!

As I read the Bible and study history, I'm always amazed at how things follow a certain pattern and how history repeats itself. If one would only study history he would see how often things replay in a circle. Hence the saying, "The only thing men never learn from history, is that men never learn from history."

If a person will just study (2 Tim. 2:15), and learn more about history he would be able to figure out most likely what will happen next. Because everything follows what has already happened. Or as the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 1:9: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

According to the Bible, everything just happens all over again and again.

One a side note: Have you ever stopped to look at the word "History?" It's interesting, isn't it? Why if you say it slowly it sounds like two words:"His Story." Or God's Story of the world.

And as you read the Bible, you find an interesting book: It is HIStory past, present, and future! No other book in the world is like the Bible! It profecies and foretells the future!

So what does our future hold??? I can give you details from the book of Revelation on what exactly will happen after the rapture, and in the tribulation. But what will happen before the rapture is still a mystery. All we are told is it will be a time of great apostasy and a falling away from the truths of the word of God. (Which is what we are already seeing today).

But as I read the Bible, and look at history, I can make a few guesses on some things that will happen.

BLACKS FIRST AND THEN WOMEN

It's interesting that in America people have been reporting that we have our first BLACK President. This is funny to me, because he's not all black. He's half black and half white! And he's not an Afro-American. Um, well, unless you believe that stuff about him being born in Africa, and I still don't know about that whole birth certificate thing. But back to what I was saying. If you are an American, you are an American, period! There are no "Afro-Americans" or "Chinese Americans" or "Mexican Americans." You are either a citizen of the U.S. or you are not. How racist to use such terms! And how illogical. But I understand what they mean, and so do you.

But as we study the history of the United States, we see that it was the blacks who were freed first from slavery, and then it was later that women were given the right to vote. Later we saw the rise of "Civil Rights" for blacks and then later Women's rights for females. As I looked at this in history, I told my wife, "I'll bet there's a black president before there is a woman president." Why did I say this? Because blacks were given rights before the women. And as I look at the current political situation in America, I wonder if I'm not right on. For the next president very well may be a woman: either Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin. Things work in cycles, patterns, and circles. And in history it was the blacks first and then the women.

JEWS FIRST AND THEN CHRISTIANS

As I read the Bible, and study the different covenants of God, and his chosen people, it's obvious we have two Testaments: The Old and the New. And it's in those Testaments that we read of the Jews first and then the Christians.

History tells us that the Jews went through persecutions many times, and later so did the Christians. And as we look at recent history, the Jews went through a holocaust, in which they were almost eradicated by evil men who hated them which were full of anti-semitism sentiment.

Today, I see that same hatred against Christians by an evil world. And I'm certain that a soon coming holocaust for Christians is not far away. I've already read of "concentration camps" , "railroad cars with chains for shipping away people," and "underground facilities for detainees" which have already been set up here in America. And it seems it's only a matter of time before they will be used. I only hope the Lord will come back first, but I've often wondered if there won't be a great persecution first, and then there would be so few Christians left that when the rapture does happen, the world as a whole would hardly know it.

DESTRUCTION OF NATIONS

In the Bible, God allowed certain nations to rule for certain periods of time. But as those nations plummeted into pride and eventually unbridles passions, God sent another nation to destroy them because of their wickedness. All throughout history we read of one nation destroying another. And all throughout the Bible we read of God bringing this to pass as a JUDGMENT against those nations that forgot Him!

I've already written an article/blog here about Plato's republic and how he speaks of the way governments start out well as republics, but end up in democracies and then in utter dictatorships over and over. History has taught us this vicious circle always works in the same way. Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Italy, Germany, France, have all gone through the stages that Plato prophecied would destroy a nation. And now we see that same exact thing happening in Europe and here in America. The stage is set for the governments of the world (and the economies of the world) to fail, and make room for a one-world leader. The Bible calls him the anti-christ, and his coming is not far off. In fact, he's probably even alive today!

But one thing is certain. Nations will fall and be brought under his control and be ruled by him. Why? Because the Bible says so, and history proves it!

THE SINFULNESS OF MAN

Another thing history proves that the Bible dogmatically teaches is the depravity of man. (Now I'm not a Calvinist, so don't get your panties in a bundle when I use that word. But it's a good word to describe how wicked men really are).

History shows us that man are capable of outrageous atrocities and unthinkable cruelty. Through plunder, politics, piracy, and wars, men have used vicious and extreme means to get what they want. And they will continue to do so. Man has a sinful nature and if he continues to sear his conscience, there is no limit to how much evil he's capable of!

As we see the way the world is headed, and the lack of morals all throughout the planet, it's not hard to imagine the soon coming impending doom which awaits each one of us if the Lord tarries.

The Bible speaks of horrendous times, of famines, of plagues, of seiges, and wars. It also tells of people who were left so hopeless and destitute they often times had to eat their own dung, and some times even turn to cannibalism and their own babies.

Although those were horrible times, I'm convinced the world has yet to see the worst of it. Maybe the atrocities of World War I and World War II come close, but I believe during the tribulation period (and maybe even just before it), the world will see the worst depravity imagineable. The Bible tells us there will not only be rampant sin, and even sacrifices where people drink the blood and eat the flesh of others, but it further tells us of plagues that will come upon the land, of trees and foliage being burned, of water turning to blood, and of even the moon and sun turning to darkness. What a horrible time that will be!

But you don't have to pass through that. You can be saved today and go to heaven! I'm glad I'm saved!

I know Christians might go through some suffering before the Lord comes at the rapture, but at least I won't have to go through the tribulation, which will be the most horrible time in human history!

What about you? Do you know your Bible? Do you know your history? Why not?