Many of us are familiar with the statement of Jesus about there being "wars and rumors of wars" in the last days.
Mathew 24:6-7 reads: "6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Jesus, Matthew 24:6-7).
In the News
Today, Thursday February 24, 2022, I awoke to hear news about a full scale offensive invasion of the Ukraine by Russian military forces. A nuclear superpower launches their aggressive against an autonomous neighbor who has been minding their own business. Why? When you boil it all down, its because of greed and power-hunger on the part of their larger neighbor, Russia (particularly its leadership).
So, much property will be lost and many lives will be lost. Fighting and bloodshed express sinful man's greed like nothing else can. (and all this in the midst of economic troubles in the world and world-wide outbreaks of sickness or "pestilence" - sounds prophetic to me).
And who will help the government and people of Ukraine? According to the current news, not many. Other countries don't want to go to war. Allies in Europe and America don't want to fight, especially a nuclear superpower (as things could get very ugly). The least and perhaps the most we will do, is to use our favorite tool of economic sanctions (a form of pressure Revelation 13 assures us will be used against God's own people in the final showdown - Rev. 13:16-17). Will it work? Maybe, maybe not. Europe is quite interconnected with Russia economically, and Russia has plenty of resources and other helpers (i.e. neighbors) who can also back and help them, and who don't want to have a conflict either. Quite a situation.
The Sinful Ravings of Mankind
But where, O where will the bloodshed end? To where will the greed of sinful mankind drive them? It's not anything short of utter world dominance, and ultimately utter and supreme suffering and destruction in the end.
Mankind with a sinful heart strives for world dominance. It has been ever since the days when iniquity originated with Lucifer in Heaven. It drove him to fight God for supremacy over all the angels and beings of the universe. But it also drove him to his banishment from heaven, and his ultimate destruction which is soon to come.
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation 12:7-9).
In the days of the ancient Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), mankind thought to glorify themselves (i.e. "let us make a name for ourselves"-Genesis 11:4). They flung all in the face of God, and sought world dominance over all men and all the planet.
Make no mistake. Power hungry and greedy forces from within the hearts of men are at work to overcome the world, "play their cards right," and attain world domination for their own self-glory. Their purpose is not noble, but rather sinful and very destructive. Lies and violent attacks flow from this kind of heart.
Jesus said of Satan, and men who followed him, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44).
Whispers of a Heavenly Kingdom Coming (in Contrast)
As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days when the Son of Man comes (Luke 17:26: Matthew 24:37). The world will be filled with pleasure and love of ease, as well as violence, evil-thinking, and greed, just before Jesus appears the second time!
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5).
"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth" (Genesis 6:13).
The words of Jesus will most surely and definitely be fulfilled in every manner and account. Jesus is coming again soon.
Matthew 24:6 is fulfilled in our ears today again, as it has been in many great wars and battles prior to this. "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
Rumors of Heaven?
But this leads me to think of a much sweeter "rumor" than these wicked things. And in fact, it is much more than just a "rumor." It is a powerful swelling reality! Jesus is coming again soon! Heaven is very near! The "rumors" about heaven are in fact the reality about Heaven - that you and I will get to see it very soon!
This is because Jesus is coming again for us!
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Jesus, Luke 21:28).
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jesus, John 14:1-3).
"And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:14).
"And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him" (Daniel 7:27).
Heaven gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. The rumor of heaven is far more than a rumor. It is an eternal reality and it is coming very, very soon!
Let's get ready to meet Jesus when He comes. Let's get ready by becoming believing members and citizens of the kingdom of heaven today! Let's give our lives and hearts to Jesus today!
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Jesus, Revelation 3:20).
"Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
I'm ready to go home to heaven and the new earth with Jesus. How about you? Let's pray and labor for that end. Tell the good news and help others to get ready too. Spread the word, because these "rumors" are the reality...not rumors at all.
God bless you!
Pastor Ben