The Handwriting on the Wall

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Fifth: Exponential Knowledge Explosion
God indicated through the prophet Daniel 2,500 years ago, “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”11

An article from Godlike Productions reports the following: “The world’s knowledge is increasing at exponential rates, as is our technology. The number of text messages sent and received every day exceeds the total population of the planet. There are over 2.7 billion searches performed on Google each month. There are 3,000 new books published every single day. It is estimated that a week’s worth of New York Times contains more information than a person was likely to come across in a lifetime in the 18th century. It is estimated that 40 exabytes (4.0 X 10 to the 19th power) of unique new information will be generated worldwide this year. That is more than in the previous 5,000 years….

“At this exponential rate, it’s estimated that before too long the sum total of human knowledge will double every 72 hours. The amount of new technical information is doubling every 2 years, by [this year] 2012 it is predicted to double every 72 hours. Third generation fiber optics have recently been separately tested by NEC and Alcatel … that carry 10 trillion bits per second down a single strand of fiber … that is 1,900 CDs or 150 million phone calls every second. It is currently tripling every 6 months and it expected to do so for the next 20 years. Predictions are that by 2013 a supercomputer will be built that exceeds the computation capacity of the human brain. Predictions are by 2049, a $1,000 computer will exceed the computational capabilities of the entire human species.”12

Whether the knowledge Daniel is referring to is general knowledge or just spiritual knowledge doesn’t really matter because either way we look at it, the combined body of knowledge in today’s world is increasing exponentially.

Sixth: Worldwide Gospel Outreach
Another dramatic sign and powerful indication for the approaching climax of world history is what Jesus referred to as the worldwide preaching of the gospel. In speaking about the end times the disciples asked Jesus, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus pointed out various happenings including wars, famines, earthquakes, false prophets arising, and the love of many growing cold, and concluded by saying, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”13

Today ... the gospel is speeding
to the ends of the earth as never
before in all of world history.

The amazing thing about this is that today, via the electronic media and all the modern means of communication, the gospel is speeding to the ends of the earth as never before in all of world history. Even here in ACTS we are seeing visitors to our gospel websites each month from 194 countries and territories—and we are just a tiny organization with only two on our staff in our U.S. office. But today there has to be thousands of organizations and individuals who are involved in spreading the gospel worldwide via radio, TV, CDs, DVDs, e-Mail, hand-held devices, and the Internet with all the methods in today’s communication media revolution.

Seventh: The Final Message of God’s Handwriting on the Wall
As earlier noted, all the signs that the Bible has indicated regarding the nearness of the end times and the climax of world history (as we know it) are today all standing up at once.

In a very real sense this is telling us that God’s handwriting on the wall of world history today is broadcasting: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] is coming at an hour you do not expect.”14

How can we be ready?
First, be aware: As Jesus reminds us, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption [the return of Jesus Christ] is drawing near.”2

Second, be on the right side: Make absolutely certain you are on the side of the real Christ and not on the side of the counterfeit Christ—the Antichrist—or you will be totally controlled by him.

Third, be prepared: As Jesus said to Nicodemus, "You must be born again." "Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"15

By this Jesus meant if you are to see and enter God's kingdom, you need to be re-born spiritually. We do this by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins, that we confess our sinfulness to God, and that we receive God's forgiveness and his gift of eternal life by receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and making a genuine commitment of our life to him. To help you do this, be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: www.actsweb.org/christian, or Click HERE to read and accept "God's Invitation" to accept Jesus as your Savior and receive God's forgiveness and his gift of eternal life.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for your Word that informs us of the signs that will precede your return and that will take place immediately prior to the end of this world age. Please help me to know and understand your Word, be aware of what is happening, and be prepared for your coming by accepting your Son, Jesus Christ, as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for this blessed hope and assurance of your salvation and for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen.”

Footnotes:  1. See Daniel 5.  2. Luke 21:28 (NIV).  3. Ezekiel 36:24.  4. Amos 9:14 (TLB).  5. Isaiah 35:1.  6. See Revelation 13.   7. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NIV).  8. For additional reading, see “The Antichrist Is Coming” at: http://tinyurl.com/coming-antichrist.  9. See Revelation 13.  10. See Revelation 13:16-17).  11. Daniel 12:4, (NLT).  12. See http://tinyurl.com/knowledge-explosion.  13. Matthew 24:3-14 (NKJV).  14. Matthew 24:44 (NKVJ).  15. John 3:3 (NIV).

Special Note: May we always stay conscious of the fact that people without Christ are lost for all eternity. To help reach family, friends and contacts with the saving message of Jesus Christ so that they, too, will be fully prepared for the day Christ returns, we have set up a very simple program—GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS OUTREACH—an attractive, non-threatening, and very effective outreach ministry that is without cost except for having an e-mail account. Please see this program at: http://www.actsweb.org/people_power_invite.php.

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