UCG: Are You Paying Attention to the Warnings?

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

In the latest edition of its Good News magazine, UCG’s Rex Sexton wrote:

The Warnings Are Loud and Clear—But Are You Listening?

Do our everyday headlines contain strong warnings about a dire future? Consider these recent items you may have glossed over:

• U.S. national debt reaches $63.8 trillion. “The latest increase raises federal obligations to a record $546,668 per household … That’s quadruple what the average U.S. household owes for all mortgages, car loans, credit cards and other debt combined” (USA Today, May 29, 2009).

• North Korea tested a nuclear weapon, launched several test missiles and abrogated the 1953 truce agreement—effectively declaring war on South Korea, Japan, the United States, Britain and other nations that were a part of the 1951-1953 “police action” should they try to interfere with North Korea’s ambitions—and threatened a “thousand-fold” military retaliation if provoked.

• “The End of Christian America” headlined Newsweek magazine’s report on a dramatic drop in the number of Americans identifying themselves as Christian. “Many conservative Christians believe they have lost the battles over issues such as abortion, school prayer and even same-sex marriage, and that the country has now entered a post-Christian phase,” stated the article (April 13, 2009).

• In Pakistan, “the government is progressively losing control of its own population and territory. And you’ve got Al Qaeda sitting right in the middle” of a country that has more than 100 nuclear weapons, according to a top terrorism expert (Australian Broadcasting Corporation News, June 3, 2009).

This sampling of alarming headlines points to some very difficult times ahead. The world as we have known it is rapidly coming to an end. But is anyone taking notice, or are we just going about our daily lives as if there’s nothing to be concerned about? Are we repeating the experience of the Poles who heard Martin Gray but closed their minds to what he was saying?

Jesus Christ gave several crucial warnings in His most detailed prophetic message. He foretold a coming time of suffering just before His return that will be the worst the world has ever experienced. He said, “For then will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world”(Matthew 24:21).

He even prophesied that the majority of the world will not listen to any warnings, but will close their ears like the Poles who heard Martin Gray. Jesus said that this time of unprecedented trouble “will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth” (Luke 21:35).

He also warned about what we should be doing as we see this time approaching and stated that there could be a way of escape: “Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (verse 36). To be able to escape, you will have to listen to and heed what you hear.

And that is what people should do.

All should heed Jesus’ warnings before it is too late.

And those in the COG’s should not overlook the ones that are written to it in Revelation 3.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/2 years from now.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.