Re-Post: Nearing Midnight for January 23rd (Part 1)

The Partnership Between Birth Pangs and Apathy

The year 2006 is only three weeks old, and we've already seen a number of unusual events that should spark the interest of any end-time watchdog. So far, we have seen record tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean; a 500-year drought in Arizona; record periods of rainfall in the Northwest; Australia setting new records for heat; record snow fall in Japan, and record cold in Europe and southern Asia. In all these events, the key word is "record."
The previous 12-month period was already of such a historic nature, it would seem like the law of averages would grant us some type of protection from calamity. The 2005 hurricane season set so many milestones, I'm sure most meteorologists would regard it as one they will never witness a repeat of in their lifetime.
I have no idea what type of activity we will see with the 2006 hurricane season, I but I wouldn't be surprised if we see more storms like Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
The unending avalanche of catastrophes has convinced me that they are part of the end-time warning signs called the birth pangs. The Bible predicts they will increase in frequency as we get closer to the tribulation hour. I expect the world media will soon be covering new calamities in the coming months.
The birth pang factor is not the only end-time indicator at work today. Jesus told His disciples that apathy would also be the calling card of His return. In the Book of Mathew, the Lord repeated himself four times in the space of a few verses. He obviously was trying to make a point of how slothfulness will relate to the last days.
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Mat. 24:36).
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Mat. 24:42).
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Mat. 24:44).
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (Mat. 25:13).
When I recently checked the traffic flow of some of the larger prophecy sites, I was amazed to find that their average hits had been in a prolonged slide. The drop has occurred despite massive earthquakes, record hurricanes, and global terrorism. The two-year hit count for Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impe, and Left Behind looks like the price chart of internet stocks once the tech bubble burst. Oddly enough, Rapture Ready is the only major site I could find with higher traffic numbers.
One of the best ways I've found to measure apathy is to compare the reactions that certain types of events get to today with what they typically would receive 20 years ago. The Iranian nuclear issue is one good example. Back in 1986, the news of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad's desire to build a nuclear bomb would have been huge news. To have him also calling for the destruction of Israel would have generated a frenzy among prophecy students.
Back then, I would have expected to receive dozens of emails and letters from people who figured Ahmedinejad was the Antichrist. Today, I don't recall receiving a single email from anyone. Several folks have speculated about his connection to the Gog invasion, but none has tagged him as Mr. 666.
Christians have not become more prudent in their approach to prophecy. I believe a spirit of apathy is at work. As God reveals prophetic truth, He allows the devil to distract people from knowing the how close they are to the end. Nothing is accidental about the "think not" hour.
The disparity between the frequency of birth pangs and the general sense of apathy is the granddaddy of end-time indicators - for those who are still awake to notice this flashing warning sign. Because they are both at levels never before seen in modern times, I can only conclude that we are near the tail end of the Church age.
If we are drawing very near to the rapture, it's vital that I focus on doing that which will be the most productive for the Kingdom of God. We stay productive at Rapture Ready because we know now would be the worst time for a servant of the Lord to manifest laziness.
"Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door" (NLT Mat. 24:33).

-- Todd