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| The last days revival: Signs, wonders and extraterrestrials |
It seems implausible that a world that increasingly views the supernatural as ancient superstition is going to embrace the supernatural in the future.
However, biblical prophecy tells us that this is going to happen. And when it happens, it's going to become the greatest counterfeit spiritual revival the world has ever seen. It will be so powerful that all but the most hardened of atheists will embrace it.
But when is this going to happen? And how will it happen?
Scripture tells us that this revival won't commence until Satan is allowed to unleash his power across the world. The apostle Paul wrote: "For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
The secret power of lawlessness that Paul mentioned is the dark supernatural power possessed by Satan and his demons. Their power is currently restrained. However, a time is coming when God will remove that restraint and allow them to deceive the world with counterfeit signs and wonders.
But when will this begin? Scripture indicates that this could begin in conjunction with the rise of a world government. As the world moves ever closer to a dreaded one-world government, a messianic figure will suddenly appear who will announce that he has arrived to usher in an age of peace and prosperity.
And this man won't merely be a clever politician with the gift of con. Rather, he will possess supernatural powers that will dazzle the world and seduce millions to follow him. The apostle John wrote: "And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men." (Revelation 13:13)
This man will be the Antichrist. However, most of the world will be convinced that he is Jesus Christ who has returned to establish his earthly kingdom and bring peace and harmony to the world.
It was Christ Himself who warned us to be on the look out for such fakes in the last days: "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time." (Matthew 24:23-25)
Christ even revealed the events of His return so that people wouldn't be led astray by powerful phonies. (Matthew 24:26-31)
Nevertheless, millions will be led astray because they have willingly allowed themselves to be deceived. These are professing Christians who have rejected the Bible's clear warnings concerning the coming counterfeit revival to embrace the false prophecies of end time revival prophets.
These false prophets aren't leading people to the genuine Jesus Christ--they're leading them to the Antichrist.
One of those revival prophets was David Wilkerson who believed that a great revival would take place on earth prior to Christ's return: "God's last-day church ...will be even greater than that [the first-century church,] ... mightier, stronger, and even GREATER revelation of Jesus. A greater unction from the Spirit than ever, GREATER EVEN THAN PENTECOST....As I see it, the gospel of Jesus Christ has not been fully preached in this generation!"
Of course, millions of other folks who have never read the Bible will have no point of reference when the great counterfeit revival begins. They will be easy dupes for the demonic chicanery.
How close are we to this grand counterfeit revival? I believe that the increase in UFO sightings along with the increase in psychic phenomena and Marian apparitions across the world over the past 100 years indicates that the time is getting very close.
However, the world still needs something to bring it together. And one particular supernatural manifestation could provide the impetus for that unity. In the final installment, we'll discuss that supernatural event.
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