Christ said we will not know the day or the hour when he will come, but he did not say we will not know the year or the season. And he also said to watch for his return and not be taken by surprise.
Bible prophecy is something I do not spend much time studying, but search the internet for some research other people have done. I like Chuck Missler at
Koinonia House. My own pastor has covered revelation
Home | Berachah Church Rapture Ready | End Times News, Rapture Index, Pre-Tribulation has some interesting things to say. Tim LaHaye's into it, Hal Lindsey has researched it.
I'm sorry that I cannot list all of the prophecies with their references and explanations and how current events are lining up to fulfill them as this would fill a book or two.
A most recent example of current events lining up to fulfill a prophecy would be Babylon. Babylon's destruction was predicted by Daniel. There are five chapters in the old testament that talk about Babylon. Babylon is prophecied to be the headquarters for the antichrist and his one world government. Babylon is also prophecied to have great wealth and then be destroyed in one hour with arrows that have the discernment of a man and never miss their target and be uninhabitable afterwards. People out to sea will witness her destruction and mourn. The whole earth will be shaken from it's foundation.
Babylon is located in Iraq, which has recently become a free nation. During Sadaam Hussein's regime (BTW Sadaam liked to call himself Nebuchadnezzar II) he put lots of money into rebuilding of Nebuchadnezzar's palace and also building up the city of Babylon. In the years ahead, if Iraq is to hold out against all the terrorists that want to take it over, it will have to build up an infrastructure capable of seeking out and eliminating terrorists and probably call on the UN for help (eventually anyone could be labeled terrorists if it fit the govt's purposes... even Christians). The UN currently is dissatisfied with its headquarters in New York and would like to relocate. Some want to relocate to Babylon. The nature of Babylon's destruction fits a nuclear missile strike.
There are other more general signs that point to the end-times being soon such as the fact that technology has made the whole world capable of being ruled by one government. Ecumenism is the order of the day in most places. Israel is once again a nation. Jerusalem is a stumbling block for all the nations as predicted. We have a king of the North (Russia). A king of the East (China and oriental nations). A king of the south (Arab league). And a king of the West (EU + UN + eventual antichrist to unite all). Prophecies of weapons that do not make sense unless compared with today's smart weapons and nuclear weapons. Petra is said to be the refuge for the 144,000 remnant during Armageddon. For some reason the queen of Jordan is stocking the area with supplies. Antisemitism and anti-christianism is on the rise globally. Also, after the tribulation will be 1000 years of peace and perfect environment when Christ will rule on earth. If the Bible is correct, we are around the 6000th year of human history. Perhaps after 6000 years of "work" God will bring the "sabbath" rest for the last 1000.
Anyways... If you want specifics go to someone else who has done the research themselves. At least maybe this will help you know how us "fundies" are leaning.
Edited to add: It is also important to note that we observe how current events ARE LINING UP to fit tribulation prophetic events. We do not claim that the events of the tribulation are already upon us.
This message has been edited by Hangdawg13, 06-23-2004 11:34 PM