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The famous televangelist Pat Robertson came out of retirement this week to warn that the end times are upon us. According to Robertson, Vladimir Putin’s real intention in going into Ukraine is to secure a base of operation for a forthcoming offensive against Israel. “He went into Ukraine,” said Robertson, “but that wasn’t his goal. His goal was to move against Israel…”
In Robertson’s reading of prophecy, various Middle Eastern nations will align with Russia prior to a final showdown with Israel – the biblical Armageddon. Robertson exhorted viewers of The 700 Club to “read your Bible” because “it’s coming to pass.”
When Robertson has taken the prophet’s mantle on himself in the past, his record has not been spotless. In 1976, he predicted the world would end in 1982. In 2020, he stated, “I want to say without question, Trump is going to win the election.” He then went on to predict “five years or more of extraordinary peace,” followed by an asteroid collision that might end life on earth.
Pat Robertson may claim that he was right, and that Mr. Trump really won the election, but where are the five or more years of extraordinary peace? And how is it that this prediction of peace was so swiftly replaced by a prediction of war?
When I moved to Michigan in 1988, people were excited about a recently published booklet titled, “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988.” The book, written by a former NASA engineer, sold over 4 million copies, and was sent free to 300,000 pastors. The author claimed that Christ would arrive on earth between September 11-13. Since I arrived in early August, it appeared that my tenure here would be brief.
That was nearly 33 years ago. September 13th came and went. The author recalculated and declared an October date for Christ’s return. When that didn’t happen, a new book hit the market: “The Final Shout: Rapture Report 1989,” which offered 89 reasons why the rapture would occur in 1989. “The Final Shout” was final; there were no sequels.
The examples above are representative of scores of failed predictions. After many spectacular misreadings of the signs of the times, some Christians have quietly abandoned prophecy altogether. There have been too many Robertson-like prophecies that have come and gone. They would rather make a difference in the world than make conjectures about its end.
The trouble with such an approach is that the Bible does contain prophecies about the end times. Whether these are something we understand or not, they are hardly something that Christians can ignore. The biblical story, unlike the stories of other ancient faiths, is telic in nature – it is moving to a prescribed end. Without this movement toward fulfillment, there is no biblical faith.
People who follow Jesus and affirm the teaching of the apostles are in an awkward position. They must hold the predictions of self-proclaimed prophecy experts at arms-length, even when they have 89 proofs that they are right. At the same time, they must not let themselves become jaded and give up the hope of Christ’s return. They know that with the advent of each new war, the prophecy experts will come out of the woodwork. But they also know that when the day chosen by God arrives, Christ will come out of heaven.
When it comes to prophecy, there are two approaches that lead to differing results. One approach is embodied by those who “love Christ’s appearing” (to borrow St. Paul’s words), the other by those who hunger to know its timing. The latter are motivated by a need to control, the former by a faith that cedes control to Christ.
The date-fixing compulsion is fear-driven. Its goal is to protect oneself, one’s family, and one’s friends by preparing for trouble. Such an approach does not demonstrate faith but indicates a lack thereof.
Those who “love Christ’s appearing” do not announce, “Jesus is coming on this date,” but they do pray, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come!” They do not trust their ability to get the date right, but they do trust Jesus to put everything right.
(First published by Gannett.)
The Way Home 
Thank you, I needed this passage from your post:
“When it comes to prophecy, there are two approaches that lead to differing results. One approach is embodied by those who “love Christ’s appearing” (to borrow St. Paul’s words), the other by those who hunger to know its timing. The latter are motivated by a need to control, the former by a faith that cedes control to Christ.
The date-fixing compulsion is fear-driven. Its goal is to protect oneself, one’s family, and one’s friends by preparing for trouble. Such an approach does not demonstrate faith but indicates a lack thereof”
I am not afraid of death because I know where I am going and who I will be with in heaven. This Ukraine event and the cold war seemingly restarting has reactivated my PTSD from being a child in the cold war. I literally went out and spent hundreds of dollars on non perishable goods and outdoor survival items preparing for the final countdown. I created a contingency plan with my adult child on what they should do if the “bomb dropped”.. For some reason these recent events have allowed me to let fear over take me and forget that I am walking out the final part of my life in faith. I still think it’s because I lived during the height of the cold war and my inner 13 year old freaked out.
Anyhow I thank you for your post and I am glad the general media picked it up otherwise I would never have found your blog. I need to “let it go”, keep walking in faith and know I will someday be reunited with my heavenly father. Also the way you speak of the so called prophets/televangelists is a great description of who they are and what motivates them, fear, control and wealth. I guess no one has explained to them you don’t have to have money to get through the perpetual pearly gates.
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The deciding event, not yet occurring, is what Jesus spoke of in Mat 24:15 & 21 where the Abomination that causes Desolation shall stand in a holy place. This holy place is perhaps only holy in the eyes of man, and could be either Jerusalem or Rome, etc. Whatever happens, until this Ukraine situation grows into worse, nothing can be known. The prophecies are dire once their fulfillment begins. At the moment, I think we see Dan 11:40~ beginning.
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Great Article and supportive explanation. Also,..people fail to point what Jesus said to the disciples when asked when he will come back, Jesus said”No one knows except the Father”..
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Mark, your point about Jesus is well-taken. May we love his appearance rather than just be curious about it. – Shayne
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REPENT. Your only hope is in
JESUS!
KING JAMES VERSION BIBLE ONLY
Rev.19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Rev.14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Rev.13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
God didn’t say the number is 666. God said the number is SIX HUNDRED THREESCORE AND SIX and to count it. We must use Simple English Gematria to count the number.
Simple English Gematria A=1———-Z=26
SIX HUNDRED THREESCORE AND SIX = 19+9+24 + 8+21+14+4+18+5+4 + 20+8+18+5+5+19+3+15+18+5 + 1+14+4 + 19+9+24 = 313
VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH PUTIN = 22+12+1+4+9+13+9+18 + 22+12+1+4+9+13+9+18+15+22+9+3+8 + 16+21+20+9+14 = 313
God said count the number, so we have 26 letters in the number. We need to count TWENTY AND SIX to get his birth date.
TWENTY = 20+23+5+14+20+25 = 107
AND = 1+14+4 = 19
SIX = 19+9+24 = 52
10-7-1952 Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin birth date and is the Beast.
Rev. 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
We must get the value of MOUNTAINS and add SEVEN to get the city number. Once we have the city number, we match the number to a city name.
MOUNTAINS = 13+15+21+14+20+1+9+14+19 = 126
SEVEN MOUNTAINS = 7 + 126 = 133
LAS VEGAS NEVADA = 12+1+19 + 22+5+7+1+19 + 14+5+22+1+4+1 = 133
Simple English Gematria A=1—Z=26 value of the seven mountains that surround Las Vegas Nevada. They need to equal to 133.
Frenchman Mountain Fault; Whitney Mesa Fault; Cashman Fault; Valley View Fault; Decatur Fault; Eglington Fault; West Charleston Fault = 6+18+5+14+3+8+13+1+14 + 13+15+21+14+20+1+9+14 + 6+1+21+12+20 + 23+8+9+20+14+5+25 + 13+5+19+1 + 6+1+21+12+20 + 3+1+19+8+13+1+14 + 6+1+21+12+20 + 22+1+12+12+5+25 + 22+9+5+23 + 6+1+21+12+20 + 4+5+3+1+20+21+18 + 6+1+21+12+20 + 5+7+12+9+14+7+20+15+14 + 6+1+21+12+20 + 23+5+19+20 + 3+8+1+18+12+5+19+20+15+14 + 6+1+21+12+20 = 1303.
The number 1303 is 133 because 0 isn’t a number just a place holder.
LAS VEGAS NEVADA is that GREAT CITY BABYLON that GOD destroys.
Rev.17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
1) JAMES EARL CARTER
2) RONALD WILSON REAGAN
3) GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH
4) WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
5) GEORGE WALKER BUSH
6) BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
7) DONALD JOHN TRUMP (Great Red Dragon, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan. See last page Rev. 12:7-9)
Rev. 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
8) JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN (He is of the Seven American Presidents)
We add all 8 US President names to get the name of this 8th Beast to come.
Simple English Gematria A=1——Z=26
JAMES EARL CARTER; RONALD WILSON REAGAN; GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH; WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON; GEORGE WALKER BUSH; BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA; DONALD JOHN TRUMP; JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN = 10+1+13+5+19 + 5+1+18+12 + 3+1+18+20+5+18 + 18+15+14+1+12+4 + 23+9+12+19+15+14 + 18+5+1+7+1+14 + 7+5+15+18+7+5 + 8+5+18+2+5+18+20 + 23+1+12+11+5+18 + 2+21+19+8 + 23+9+12+12+9+1+13 + 10+5+6+6+5+18+19+15+14 + 3+12+9+14+20+15+14 + 7+5+15+18+7+5 + 23+1+12+11+5+18 + 2+21+19+8 + 2+1+18+1+3+11 + 8+21+19+19+5+9+14 + 15+2+1+13+1 + 4+15+14+1+12+4 + 10+15+8+14 + 20+18+21+13+16 + 10+15+19+5+16+8 + 18+15+2+9+14+5+20+20+5 + 2+9+4+5+14 = 1608
Number 1608 = 168 because 0 isn’t a number just a place holder.
VLADIMIR PUTIN = 22+12+1+4+9+13+9+18 + 16+21+20+9+14 = 168
Rev. 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
The ten horns are the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with the Russian Federation Beast Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. They destroy the Whore who is the United States of America.
Rev. 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; = 1+14+4 + 9 + 2+5+8+5+12+4 + 1+14+15+20+8+5+18 + 2+5+1+19+20 + 3+15+13+9+14+7 + 21+16 + 15+21+20 + 15+6 + 20+8+5 + 5+1+18+20+8 = 452(English Ordinal)
and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. = 1+14+4 + 8+5 + 8+1+4 + 20+23+15 + 8+15+18+14+19 + 12+9+11+5 + 1 + 12+1+13+2 + 1+14+4 + 8+5 + 19+16+1+11+5 + 1+19 + 1 + 4+18+1+7+15+14 = 407(English Ordinal)
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. = 1+14+4 + 8+5 + 5+24+5+18+3+9+19+5+20+8 + 1+12+12 + 20+8+5 + 16+15+23+5+18 + 15+6 + 20+8+5 + 6+9+18+19+20 + 2+5+1+19+20 + 2+5+6+15+18+5 + 8+9+13 + 1+14+4 + 3+1+21+19+5+20+8 + 20+8+5 + 5+1+18+20+8 + 1+14+4 + 20+8+5+13 + 23+8+9+3+8 + 4+23+5+12+12 + 20+8+5+18+5+9+14 + 20+15 + 23+15+18+19+8+9+16 + 20+8+5 + 6+9+18+19+20 + 2+5+1+19+20 + 23+8+15+19+5 + 4+5+1+4+12+25 + 23+15+21+14+4 + 23+1+19 + 8+5+1+12+5+4 = 1540(English Ordinal)
Numbers 452 = 4 + 5 + 2 = 11 = 1 + 1 = 2
Numbers 407 = 4 + 7 = 11 = 1 + 1 = 2
Numbers 1540 = 1+ 5 + 4 + 0 = 10 = 1 + 0 = 1
We have numbers 221 = 122
POPE FRANCIS = 16+15+16+5 + 6+18+1+14+3+9+19 = 122(English Ordinal)
The chapter 13 verse 11 and 12 gives the date Pope Francis became Pope.
Chapter 13 verse 11: = 13 and verse 11 = 1 + 1 = 2 for the year 2013
Chapter 13 verse 12: = 13 and verse 12 = 1 + 2 = 3 for 3-13
3-13-2013 is the date when Pope Francis became the Pope.
Pope Francis is the False Prophet.
Rev. 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And there was war in heaven: = 1+14+4 + 20+8+5+18+5 + 23+1+19 + 23+1+18 + 9+14 + 8+5+1+22+5+14 = 238(English Ordinal)
Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; = 13+9+3+8+1+5+12 + 1+14+4 + 8+9+19 + 1+14+7+5+12+19 + 6+15+21+7+8+20 + 1+7+1+9+14+19+20 + 20+8+5 + 4+18+1+7+15+14 = 404(English Ordinal)
and the dragon fought and his angels, = 1+14+4 + 20+8+5 + 4+18+1+7+15+14 + 6+15+21+7+8+20 + 1+14+4 + 8+9+19 + 1+14+7+5+12+19 = 301(English Ordinal)
And prevailed not; = 1+14+4 + 16+18+5+22+1+9+12+5+4 + 14+15+20 = 160(English Ordinal)
Just add the numbers:
238 = 2 + 3 + 8 = 13;
404 = 4 + 4 = 8;
301 = 3 + 1 = 4;
160 = 1 + 6 + 0 = 7;
We have 13847 = DONALD TRUMP JOHN
DONALD TRUMP = 4+15+14+1+12+4 + 20+18+21+13+16 = 138(English Ordinal)
JOHN = 10+15+8+14 = 47(English Ordinal)
This is one witness out of many that reveal Donald John Trump is the dragon, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan.
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Joey: If you are right (and even if you’re not), I’m glad I did not vote for him! I agree with what you wrote at the beginning of your comment: repentance and faith in Jesus (Acts 20:21). Blessings, Shayne.
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