The following "10 Signs of the Coming Apocalypse"
comes from John Hagee's book, Beginning of the End (pp.85-100).
1. The Knowledge Explosion
Hagee claims that during the end time
an explosion of knowledge will occur. He gives examples of present technological
advances to illustrate his point (airplanes, life support systems, internet).
Hagee derives this claim from the Bible,
"But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book till the time of
the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase" (Daniel
12:4).
Hagee says, "a literal translation
of this Scripture indicates that during the end time, or the terminal generation,
an explosion of knowledge will occur."
2. Plague in the Middle East
Hagee believes that in the end times
there will be plagues and signs that are similar to plagues, like the effects
of nuclear radiation.
Hagee claims that Zechariah foresaw
these future plagues when he wrote, "And this shall be the plague...their
flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve
in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths" (Zech.
14:12-15).
Hagee gives two possible interpretations
of this passage: 1) Ebola Virus that causes similar symptoms, and the effects
of nuclear radiation that can literally dissolve flesh. Hagee believes
with these modern realities, Zechariah's prophecy can be now understood.
3. The Rebirth of Israel
Hagee reminds his readers of May 15,
1948, when the United Nations announced their recognition of the state
of Israel. Hagee describes Israel as the fig tree described in Matthew;
he claims that when Israel is a young tree, it will be reborn and growing,
but, "as soon as its branch becomes tender and starts putting forth its
leaves", the end times are at hand (see Matt. 24:32-34).
The fact that Israel was made a nation
in one day is proof, according to Hagee, that this is a fulfillment of
biblical scripture: "who has heard of such things... shall a land be born
in one day... shall a nation be delivered in one moment... yet as soon
as Zion was in labor she delivered her children" (Isa. 66: 8-10).
4. The Jews Will Return Home
Hagee points out that Israel's children
are now, in our own time, returning home from Russia and other places in
the world. This to him is consistent with biblical prophecy which states,
"...as the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house
of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had
driven them... and they shall dwell in their own land" (Jer. 23.7-8).
5. Jerusalem No Longer Under Gentile
Rule
Hagee points to the fact that the gentiles
controlled Jerusalem from 70 A.D. until the Six Day War of 1967. Hagee
cites the statement of Luke that Jerusalem would be "trampled by the gentiles
until the times of the gentiles is fulfilled" (Luke 21:24).
Hagee believes the "times of the gentiles"
has been fulfilled as a result of the Six Day War of 1967, since Jerusalem
is now under the control of Israel. Therefore, since Jerusalem cannot be
under gentile rule in the terminal age, the current situation of
the Jews controlling Jerusalem is a sign that we are in the terminal age.
6. International Instant Communication
The existence of satellites, tv, radio,
the internet and all the modern wonders of instant communication exist
is a direct sign of the terminal age. Hagee claims instant communication
must exist in order for all people to see God's "two witnesses" who will
"prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth"
(Rev. 11:3, 7-10).
7. Days of Deception
Hagee uses several examples to illustrate
how deception is present in our world today. He claims that, "New Age theories
and philosophy are nothing but deception," and warns that these are signs
of the end times.
According to Hagee, biblical prophecy
states about the end times: "Everyone will deceive his neighbor, and will
not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they
weary themselves to commit iniquity" (Jer. 9:5).
8. Famines and Pestilence
Hagee points out that Jesus said that
in the latter days "there will be famines, pestilence, and earthquakes
in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matt. 24:7-8).
With this passage in mind Hagee talks
about how AIDS, the Ebola Virus and other diseases are proof that we are
living in the (terminal age = beginning of sorrows).
9. Earthquakes
Hagee tells his readers that God communicates
with the "spiritually hard of hearing" through earthquakes. He believes
that Israel's Messiah will be announced by an earthquake: "and he said,
'the Lord roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem; and the
pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers" (Amos 1:2).
Hagee believes that the increasing
occurrence of earthquakes is a sign that the great earthquake that will
announce Israel's Messiah is at hand.
10. As in the Days of Noah....
Hagee cites "but as the days of Noah
were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:36-39).
Hagee explains how in Noah's days,
the destruction of humanity by the flood resulted because of man's wickedness.
Here, Hagee describes the "murders, rapes, kidnappings, assaults, child
abuse, parental abuse, etc.," that are evident in our daily lives as direct
signs that the end is at hand.
