Are we living in the end times?
For pastor and author Carl Gallups, the answer is a resounding yes, WND reported.
In a recent appearance on the television show "Jewish Voice with Jonathan Bernis," Gallups said although war, genocide and chaos are nothing new in human civilisation, the people of today's generation are in a truly unprecedented period of human history.
He cited several "unprecedented occurrences" and events that proved that the end times have arrived.
"We are the only and the first generation in global history, in 2,000 years, to see the return of Israel to the land," Gallups said. "That's a 2,500, 2,600-year-old prophecy. An end times prophecy, a last days prophecy."
He pointed out three things. First, "You've got Israel returning to the land in 1948. And people say: 'Well, that's ancient history.' Really? It's been less than 70 years! ... It's a flash!"
Second, Gallups said, "Jerusalem is back in the hands of a returned Israel. We're the first generation to see those two things. The only generation."
Third, Gallups said, "We're the only generation to see the Ezekiel 38 alignment of nations taking place before our eyes. My goodness, Russia and China are in the Middle East, putting their militaries together, on the Euphrates River. ISIS has broken out. Iran, Persia, is making compacts and alignments with Russia. Turkey has become Islamised. These are all prophecies, either very direct in the Scriptures or indirect."
Gallups said Christians should look beyond the borders of the United States and focus on the Middle East, where the prophecies are starting to unfold.
"The Scriptures, especially end times prophecies, are to be interpreted Middle Eastern first," he said. "In America we think everything needs to be centred on what's happening in America. What's happening in America is Starbucks is opening and there's an NFL football game on TV, so all is right with the world. But that's wrong! All is not right with the world. We look at the Middle East; Christianity is being exterminated. Entire Christian communities, and towns and cities. Eliminated."
Gallups warned that the opening stages of Christian persecution in Europe and the United States are already happening.
To prepare Christians from the looming persecution, natural disasters and economic instability, Gallups has written a book called "Be Thou Prepared" which offers a practical guide on how Christians should face the end times.
He said preparing for trouble is not just about survival.
"Let's prepare not to go hide in the woods under a log somewhere, but let's prepare so that when disaster or tough times come, we minister to the love of Christ around us," Gallups said.
"After all, that's what the first century church had to do," he said.
