The familiar adage, “History repeats itself” has taken on new meaning for me since early 2020, in light of world events. I wondered, Why would God allow history to be repeated, unless earlier events were intended to prepare God’s people for what lies ahead? It’s one thing to learn from history, but quite another to intentionally mine current events as preparation for the future.
This past year and several months, we have all been searching to understand the times and gain wisdom and insight to the Lord’s plans and timeline. We desperately want to understand and find solid ground–a sure footing for our hope. This article shares the path of understanding I’ve been on and much of what I’ve shared with my podcast audience.
First, what can we learn from history relative to our present situation with all that has occurred since the onset of COVID-19? Was there another time in recent history when evil dominated and people were controlled concerning their thoughts and deeds? Yes. The time of Adolph Hitler’s Third Reich and Nazi regime from 1933-1945. Evil clearly dominated during this time through a few people who gained control over the masses, even to the extent of seeking to exterminate the entire Jewish race–God’s chosen people. How did these few in power gain control? Influenced by the anti-Christ spirit, the enemy of God, Hitler understood whoever controls the media controls the minds of the people. Nazi propaganda was the tool used to control the people–to convince them and deceive them away from truth, bringing them to actually support Hitler’s agenda–which in reality was the agenda of satan. This gives new insight to Ephesians 2:2 where satan is referred to as the prince of the power of the air.
Have we experienced similar control and propaganda in our present realities? Yes. Looking at how media and government have partnered especially with the reality of COVID-19, it seems the same Marxist playbook used by Hitler is being used today. The same anti-Christ spirit that has sought to overthrow God and destroy all that is important to God has been influencing men and women in positions of leadership and power to gain control over the masses. The ability of a few in positions of power to control the masses has been shocking–at least to those who are unaware of history. Fear is the best tool in the enemy’s arsenal which is why he uses it so liberally. Fear of the virus, fear of contamination, fear of being sick or dying has allowed those in leadership to rule over the people with illegal mandates and impositions in violation of our basic human rights. We should learn, any time fear is being promoted, the enemy is behind it.
What can the Bible offer us in terms of understanding and restoration of hope for today? More than we need! Consider history with the stories of Babel, Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah. In each situation the enemy of God influenced people to choose evil according to the inclinations of their hearts, which the Lord allowed to escalate but only to a point when He intervened. Next, consider the future, prophetically revealed in the Bible. The End-Times recorded in the book of Revelation provide the same pattern as history. The enemy of God influences people who are inclined to evil with the plan of overthrowing God to control and destroy all that is important to God, the greatest of which are God’s people made in His image. How does God respond as recorded in the book of Revelation? He allows all manner of evil to advance and expose itself until in God’s perfect wisdom it is time to act. What does the book of Revelation reveal will be God’s response to the evil in the End-Times? He will arrest and contain all evil and wickedness and Christ will return to reign and rule finally completing the victory over the enemy. This is God’s pattern of dealing with evil, which should give us an overwhelming confident hope.
Do our current events parallel the prophetic revelations of the End-Times? Could these days be a forerunner given to us by God to prepare us for the future? Yes, in my considered opinion. I believe what we have experienced on a global scale with the advent of COVID-19 has been a “dress rehearsal” of sorts that God intends to be used to fortify His people for the end of the End-Times ahead of us. What we learn from all the events we’ve endured since the advent of COVID-19 should be mined to the best of our ability to help us in the future times of the Last Days.
I’m aware there are many people who believe we will all be raptured to heaven before the onset of the Tribulation. If so, how can we explain the references to the servants of God and the multitude of those robed in white that chapter 7 reveals are the ones coming out of the Great Tribulation? Additionally, how can we explain the First Beast being allowed to make war against the saints and to conquer them and the call for endurance by the saints recorded in chapter 13 and 14?
2 Peter 3:9 states, It is not God’s desire that any one should perish, but all to have everlasting life, through faith in Jesus. It is however the desire of the enemy of God to destroy all that is important to God, and even God Himself if that were possible. However, God has graciously foretold us about the events of the Last Days, with repeated assurance for the saints. We have every reason to trust God will come through for us consistent with how He has come through for His people in the past.
Seeking the Lord to help me discern current events and to have prophetic insight as to what we can expect, I offer the following.
- The enemy of God has attempted to accelerate God’s timeline, to circumvent the Great End-time Harvest of Souls for Christ. COVID-19 is the cloak he used to prematurely create a one-world-order.
- As always, the enemy has attempted to control world circumstances and events through men and women whose hearts are inclined to evil, so he would have dominion over all the people.
- God has allowed the enemy to reveal himself and the people who have been working with him to advance his plan of dominance, to cause those unaware to wake up to truth.
- All the seven mountains of society: Religion, Government, Media, Education, Arts/Entertainment, Business and Family, are being exposed in preparation for God’s administration of justice.
- God has been exposing evil and corruption to wake people up to choose whether they will align themselves with good or evil/God or satan.
- God has already begun administering His justice, and will continue in greater measure in the days and weeks ahead, which will be utterly shocking for many people as they are awakened to the truth.
- God’s administration of justice will usher in the spirit of relief, rescue, and unity that will usher in the Great Harvest of Souls the enemy sought to prevent.
- The atmosphere of the world will change from fear and dread to great joy with righteousness reigning, offering us a foretaste of the atmosphere that the world will experience with the return of Christ.
I believe we have been exceedingly blessed to live during these times which I believe is a prophetic parallel to the last of the Last Days. May we glean all we can from this time on God’s timeline in preparation for the last of the Last Days.
I welcome your comments. Please use the section below to share your response. If this article has piqued your interest, why not plan on listening to my weekly podcasts, Faith to Live By? Helping people discover and live in life-giving truth and how to specifically apply their faith to our real-world circumstances is what my podcast, book series and my entire ministry work is about. You can hear my podcast at https://www.charismapodcastnetwork.com/show/faithtoliveby
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