Especially with respect to what I want to address in this essay, that realization appears to me to be singularly important. I have written a lot (here) about what I have called, the "Great Transition" ~ a brief (decade or so) time period which, I firmly believe, we may even now be in the earliest part of that time period. If I am right, that means that a lot of extraordinary things are now about to happen. And to a great extent, those things ~ whatsoever they may be, are going to happen through men.
The events of this present time period are going to escalate toward three unspeakably great climaxes occurring in very rapid succession, namely: first) the end of the Church Age ~ the terminus of which is the Rapture of the Church; second) the coming of the Antichrist, in the context of the Tribulation and the Judgment of this present world; and, third) the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the institution of his Kingdom on earth. All of which shall be effected ~ by God, through men.
Within (as I believe) the next decade or two at most, we shall then be living in the Millennial Kingdom Age, a time in which Jesus Christ shall be bodily present to rule over a radically new and different kind of world on earth. The changes that are coming, once those begin to occur, shall proceed very rapidly.
I should first address the subject of angels, with regard to their role in soon coming events. Angels evidently are so similar to human beings that the Bible oftentimes refers to angels as "men." Moreover, glorified human persons are characterized, in Scripture, as being "as the angels which are in heaven" (Mark 12:25). We know at least that both angels and men are rational, moral creatures and that both angels and men are destined to share together in the Eternal Kingdom of God; although, their respective roles in that Kingdom may differ substantially.
Ever since the Garden of Eden, angels have occassionally interacted with the affairs of men. Angels are far more often, and much more deeply, involved with this present world than is ordinarily perceived by any human person(s); which is suggested by the Bible's admonition to "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2). Angels are sometimes amongst us, though we discern them not. And why do we not discern them? The reason seems to be that angels either have, or else they can take upon themselves, the appearance and speech of men.
Angels shall play a significant role in soon-coming events. But I want rather to focus on the role that men will have in those same events, and how that individual men can and do affect the course of world events. All with the aim to exhort Christian men (and, of course, women), concerning the opportunity which each of us has to influence those events.
No one living on earth knows all there is to know about the future, notwithstanding his or her expertise in the realm of Bible prophecy studies. I believe God designed it to be that way ~ but not because God wants Bible prophecy to remain an unknowable mystery. Rather, I believe that God only provided us with a broad outline of future events, whilst leaving out of Scripture most of the details of those events, in order to leave room for us to "fill in the blanks," so to speak. Yes, the Rapture is going to occur, and at such time as God wills. But what is going to happen between now and then? Is there going to be anything like a great Revival in America? Scripture seems not to address that question; even though that question ought to be of very great concern to this present generation of Christians, especially, to those living in America.
Nevertheless, Scripture assures us that the possibility does exist, of a great Revival in America. I would even go further than that, to say that Scripture admonishes Christians at this present time to earnestly seek God for such Revival ~ not only in America but throughout the whole world. Revival, in and through (Christian) men, is ever God's will during the Church Age. Yet, God waits for men to seek for Revival, until that God will then send Revival in answer to the prevailing prayers, true humility, and repentance, of such persons.
Revival is but one ~ albeit that is perhaps the most important ~ thing that is possible to men, through God. Why is it, then, that the experience of the contemporary Christian Church involves so little manifestation of the reality of God's Presence and power? It is because that few Christians in America, evidently, have any real desire (much less, then, any faith) toward God. Scripture is plain and straightforward: "Ye have not because ye ask not" (James 4:2). In yet another place, Jesus said, "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24). Of course, the manner of "asking," which Jesus there referred to, must be of the kind that was demonstrated by the widow in the parable of the "unjust judge," as related by Jesus, in Luke 18:1-8. That kind of asking ~ indeed, all such asking which receives an answer from God, presupposes some or other great desire, on the part of the petitioner.
Whereas, most Christians in America are complacent, because they are content with the status quo. Life is O.K., if it may not even be good. Church-life, too, is O.K., if that also may not even seem, to many, to be good. Sure, everyone gets sick, from time to time; but, there are plenty of doctors and hospitals. Even the poorest Americans have recourse to government assistance, for food, housing, and medical care. What need then has any American, of God?
Still, the Word of God holds out to us the promise that "with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37).
Where did Elijah come from? No, I don't mean his hometown. But I mean, How did Elijah become a prophet of God? We are not given that answer to that question, in Scripture. Yet, the Bible does relate how it was that Elijah's protege, Elisha, became a prophet. Elisha had a great desire toward God; the evidence of which appears in the way Elisha responded to Elijah's 'invitation' (see, 1 Kings 19:19-21).
The Bible tells us that, "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Hebrews 11:6). (That is hugely important!) Scripture furthermore informs us that "where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). I am persuaded of at least these three things, namely: 1) God has a great desire toward mankind; 2) the majority of men ~ even of professing Christians ~ have very little desire concerning the things of God; and, 3) God is perfectly faithful, as He also is well pleased, to keep his promises on the behalf of those who will earnestly and diligently seek Him.
As for me (and my house), I want some things in God. I want a great outpouring of God's Spirit in Revival. I want to see and to be a part of a great End-time manifestation of God's Presence and power. I want to see each and every member of my own family glorified in Christ. I want the same for your family, too. I want God to bring America to true repentance and to return to God. I want the gifts of the Holy Ghost to be restored to the Church ~ and, thus, for Christ to be honored.
Are such things any longer possible? No, they are not possible ~ that is, not unless and until someone will determinedly seek God for such gifts and graces of His Spirit to be revealed.
What will the near-term future look like? The Bible strongly suggests that that shall very largely depend upon what it may be that you and/or I will desire and, then, in truth believing, seek God for.
Yes, little Samuel (eight years old and wearing an ephod), God will even hear you.
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