Prophecy in Context

We stand today poised before the greatest cataclysm ever to strike humanity. Labelled within scripture as "The Great Tribulation" it is prophesied to be a time of trouble, "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21) And we, as God's people, currently find ourselves witnessing evidence within this modern age that points imminently in this direction. Having sown the wind, the world seems about to reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7) – an entire society on the edge of a financial precipice; a moral precipice; a social precipice; a political precipice – the inevitable result of a generation so intent on throwing off restraint – particularly during the 60s and early 70s.

Is that not how we view the current conditions –"on the boil" in so many areas of the world around us? Yet at the same time, as strangers and pilgrims, we are probably grateful we can be aware of such things whereas the majority in this world remain largely oblivious, and without answers ... and without hope. But is that all there is to it? Or is there more – much more – that we, even in God's church, so often don't see? What after all is God's view of the situation at this present time? For it is THAT perspective that we should seek – a perspective of prophecy, for example, that does not merely take into account whatever can be seen within a frail human lifetime, but one that places prophetic events in their true historical context – even should that take us millions of years into prehistory.

The Two Trees

And that is precisely what Mr Armstrong would do for us – over and over again – in returning to the account of the two trees when dealing with any subject of a spiritual nature. He would endeavour to place the topic into its true historical context even though it invariably would involve taking us into prehistory to do so:

The reason Mr Armstrong was so adamant about the need to go back to the story of the two trees, is that this would be a vital part of the perspective God Himself would have. Because God and Christ fully remember when Lucifer chose the wrong path of life: "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." (Luke 10:18) and also, when Adam did the same! So all spiritual subjects are best viewed within that overarching context. It is very much part of God's expansive view.

Even in the World

Part of the problem we face today is that we live in a world that appears hellbent to crush every last vestige of Godly morality from public life. Good and bad, right and wrong, righteousness and wickedness have effectively been hijacked by those holding the perverted 'values' of licentious liberalism which promotes and attempts to rationalise such things as the abortion, LGBT and other chaotic lifestyles – largely based on a demand for instant gratification. Very much the wrong tree! But it most certainly has not always been this way. In fact the entire present civilisation rests largely on the self-sacrifice of our forefathers and their promotion of a much more expansive, biblically-moral standard of conduct – albeit a worldly one. As an example let us take just one individual: the US General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). Note what he said in retirement when looking back on his life:

And where did this benevolent breadth of character come from? During his time in Tokyo, it is said that MacArthur read his American Standard Version of the Bible every day, oversaw the distribution of at least 43 million Bibles to the Japanese, served as Honorary Chairman of Japan’s first post-war Christian University – largely in an attempt to fill the 'spiritual vacuum' in Japan following the abject failure of an entire belief system based on militaristic Emperor worship. His aim was to fill Japanese society instead with an overtly biblical sense of morality and democratic values. As a member of the Japanese surrender procession, diplomat and Harvard graduate, Toshikazu Kase stated, “We were not beaten on the battlefield by dint of superior arms. We were defeated in the spiritual contest by virtue of a nobler idea. The real issue was moral, beyond all the power of algebra to compute.”

Beyond Human Reform

General MacArthur's view – though certainly expansive and biblically based – nevertheless, remained very much a worldly one. He readily admitted the utter inability of mankind to solve the root problems of conflict during his address to the annual reunion of the 42nd infantry (rainbow) division in July 1935 – because, in reality, solving such problems would require a complete reform of every human being:

Yet that dream is precisely what the Eternal God decrees is indeed going to take place – the day when human conduct will be governed by the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. But, it will not be brought about BY man, but FOR man – BY the Kingdom of God, the God Family. With Satan's (currently universal) broadcast silenced, and the Holy Spirit made freely available, we will witness a time when not only will human beings live peacefully alongside one another but so will the creation, currently living by the principle of survival of the fittest, "red in tooth and claw":

Spirit-born Commanders

On September 6, 1945, Douglas MacArthur became the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers (SCAP) for the U.S. occupation of Japan, 1945-1951 when President Truman sent him a message stating, “The authority of the Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the State is subordinate to you as Supreme Commander for the Allied powers. You will exercise your authority as you deem proper to carry out your mission.” This message effectively made MacArthur the most powerful American in U.S. history.

In a similar way we too are destined to find ourselves as supreme commanders over the cities entrusted to us – with the immortal words empowering us to carry out our mission: "well done you good and faithful servant because you have been faithful over a very little have authority over these cities..." (Matthew 25:21 Luke 19:17 paraphrased). But notice carefully, it is specifically because we have been faithful in a small way during this life now that enables God to feel confident to trust us as His good and faithful servants in the future. But what is it – above all else – that God is looking for in those faithful servants? What is that standard that He requires of the saints of the most High who will be made the supreme commanders – the King priests – of the world tomorrow? It's certainly not the overbearing, self-serving, indulgent and often brutal approach of many in high office today. Rather, it is the way of a servant, the Mind of Christ...

God's Character

In making man, God created in clay His own image – His own likeness – within which He, as The Master Potter, could then fashion His greatest of all creations – His own spiritual character – the very essence of what He is. It's His way of doing things. His outlook. His mind. His lifestyle. His DNA! This sums up the process:

This is the very pinnacle of God's truly expansive view for mankind. This is the 'holy grail of philosophy' – the meaning of life that God revealed to Mr. Armstrong. But there is more: for us now, it's not only why we have been made human, but why you and I have been called, ahead of the vast majority of mankind. It's the very purpose of our day to day existence, and yet it is so very easy to become overwhelmed with the cares of this life ... the house, the children, our jobs, the mortgage, our health, or lack of it. This physical life has been given to us, with all its benefits and drawbacks so we learn vital, eternal lessons. A child in the womb has no idea why it is growing the way it is, but the various limbs and organs are growing according to a specific blueprint, for the new life just up ahead. And so it is with us.

Our Focus

To be ready for our role in the future it is vital we look at things more from God's viewpoint, and one thing Christ has given us to focus our minds when we pray, are the very first few words of the sample, or outline, prayer: "Our Father – who is in heaven/on high" (Matthew 6:9) . This opening address reminds us not only that God allows us to call Him "Abba, Father" but He has a perspective SO much higher than ours;

The Almighty God not only has a complete and comprehensive overview of the entire creation – from the vastness of the universe down to knowing when a sparrow falls and the number of hairs on our heads, (Matthew 10:29-31) – but also an in-depth understanding of what worries and concerns us individually, His children....and how He intends to work with us and help us through them. Certainly a long-range heavenly perspective that we need to appreciate, and internalise, as it can bring great peace of mind. This is what the apostle Paul wanted the brethren in Ephesus to understand:

Gethsemane

Often we find ourselves being 'pruned' through trials ... and although these are common to all men, they are particularly hard when they hit us personally, as Peter puts it: "being in heaviness through manifold temptations" (I Peter 1:6). Even Christ Himself had moments of near despair when faced with the hardest trial of His life in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew the whole future of mankind lay on His shoulders, but knowing ahead of time what He was to face – as prophesied in Psalm 22 – He was human enough to fear it and wonder if there was a way out. What if He should fail?

He well knew the plan that both of them had drawn up 4,000 years earlier and that 'crunch time' had come. But He also showed us how to conquer this devastating fear, and that is by drawing close to our Father in earnest, heart-rending prayer in order to gain the Father's perspective, and not His own. "Not my will but yours be done" was His repeated conclusion. Perhaps the Father reminded Him of the end result of His sacrifice, i.e. what it would mean to mankind in general, and perhaps even to Christ's own human family. Without His personal sacrifice, neither would they have a future beyond the grave.

Higher thoughts

God realises He has chosen the weak of the world ... none of us have the natural inborn ability of a General MacArthur ... but in reality we must possess even more! The humanly insoluble problems are going to be solved through the dynamic power of the living God – including that power living and working within us. Mankind has absolutely no solution – but the Eternal God does, and we must learn to trust His all-encompassing and everlasting view of the situation, whether on a national level or within our own families. General MacArthur's warning of 70 years ago is just as true today, albeit from a human perspective. Fortunately the solution is going to be divine:

In around 1,000 year's time, General MacArthur will be raised into Utopia – the dream he had of the day when human conduct will be governed by God's laws will finally have arrived. And how can we have confidence in being part of that incredible time? Through Isaiah God gives us the answer. Firstly, realise the importance of being fed REAL spiritual food:

Secondly, repent of our own ways and thoughts and aim for the mind of God ... "higher education"!

And if we continue throughout life to do the above, then we have this sure promise of being part of the most wonderful future possible. As Mr. Armstrong explains in the last chapter of Mystery of the Ages:

In Matthew 24:7, Christ warned His people about some of the events to take place just before the end of the Age. A major event to watch for is earthquakes, or in the Greek - “SEISMOS” – commotions.

This can mean Earthquakes – Volcanoes – Tsunamis – or Tornadoes – so-called “natural” disasters!

What do Japan, the Philippines, Tonga, New Zealand, Indonesia, New Guinea, Russia, Sumatra, Java, Bali, South America, Canada, USA, Mexico and Antarctica all have in common?

They are all located on the Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire is an arc stretching from New Zealand, along the eastern edge of Asia, north across the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, and south along the coast of North and South America. Approximately 90 percent of all earthquakes and approximately 75 percent of all volcanic eruptions occur along the Ring of Fire.

Right now, Japan is in the spotlight!

Japan: Government Warns 9+ ‘Megaquake’

Analyse The Article: Japan, Government Warns of IMMINENT 9+ ‘Megaquake’

A Japanese government report on 31 March touched on the POSSIBILITY of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough… but there is no suggestion that a quake is IMMINENT.

Media added the word “IMMINENT” and that resulted in over 1,400 videos on the prediction… garnering more than 100 MILLION VIEWS. Holidays are being cancelled. Flights are being cancelled. Tourists stay away!

However, the threat IS real. “Unreleased stress energy along the Chishima Trench off Hokkaido has become large enough to potentially trigger a magnitude 9 megaquake.”

And it could strike anytime - with very little warning.

Meanwhile, Japan Shakes

Authorities: More Strong Tremors Ahead

The Scientific Evidence For A Magnitude 9 Megaquake

After the 2011 Honshu earthquake and the following tsunami, scientists are monitoring the tectonic plates very carefully for any warning of unreleased stress energy along the tectonic plates. Back in 2011, Japan’s earthquake warning gave a one minute warning of an impending earthquake - enough time to stop high speed trains.

Less than an hour after the earthquake, the first of many tsunami waves hit Japan’s coastline. The tsunami waves reached run-up heights (how far the wave surges inland above sea level) of up to 128 feet (39 meters) at Miyako city and traveled inland as far as 6 miles (10 km) in Sendai.

Unreleased Stress Energy

Over 900 Earthquakes Since June 21

What Are Japanese Authorities Worried About?

What Did The Government Experts Really Say?

The word IMMINENT was used in some news articles - and it stuck! Check what was actually said. The routine advisory was not made in response to any prediction but to a Japanese government report on 31 March on the POSSIBILITY of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough, a 900-kilometre undersea fault which runs from Shizuoka, west of Tokyo, to the southern tip of Kyushu island.

Experts say there is a 70% to 80% chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake striking somewhere along the trough in the next 30 years.

THERE IS NO SUGGESTION THAT A QUAKE IS IMMINENT.

So the government did comment on the POSSIBILITY of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough, BUT - there is no suggestion that a quake is imminent.

But people living in the area can’t sleep. Flights are being cancelled. The Ring of Fire is active. The pressure is real.

And this many quakes in this short a window? That’s not normal. Something’s coming. And Japan knows it. It is clearly a situation to watch carefully!

Tokyo Under Threat

Japan estimates feared megaquake could cause $1.8 trillion in damage, kill 300,000 people

The Big One - Chile 1960

2011: Japan Moved!

End Time Mega-Tsunami?

In the book of Revelation we read: “And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea…” (Revelation 8:8 )

This would surely cause a mega-tsunami. Is this what the prophet Nahum was referring to?

Mega-Quakes ARE Imminent

Mr Armstrong points out:

The final quake - Revelation 16:18–20 - God seems to use this earthquake to re-landscape the whole earth – ready for the 1,000 year rule of Jesus Christ!

Mr Armstrong, writing in The Plain Truth magazine explains: