Jan. 11, 2026

What in the World is Going on? (11 Jan 26)

Introduction - This message lays a foundation for all of us to be able to interpret the Bible wisely, and as a result, apply its wisdom.  With that understanding as a backdrop, we will be taking a look at current events on the world stage.  Over one-fourth of the Bible is prophecy.  It is therefore important that every Christian have the best understanding of it that he or she can get.  Most Christians agree that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but few have any sensible rules by which it should be interpreted.  We’ll take a few minutes to look at the science of biblical interpretation called hermeneutics.

The most common methods used to interpret the Bible are these:

1 - The Allegorical method, which assumes that behind the plain language of the Scripture, there is a secondary meaning known only to the interpreter.  So, we get interpretations like “Job’s three friends are heretics, his seven sons are the apostles, his 7,000 sheep are God’s faithful people, and his 3,00 camels are the depraved Gentiles.  Very inaccurate way to interpret Scripture.

2 - The Mystical method, which went beyond the allegorical method by including a myriad of interpretations to include things clearly not in the natural world or Scripture.  For example, “thou shalt not kill” becomes “thous shalt not murder” on a natural plane, “thou shalt not destroy a man’s soul” (through criticism or opposition) on a spiritual plane, and “Angels hating God” likened to murder in the heavenly plane.  

3 - The Rationalistic method, which assumes that the Bible is not the inspired word of God.  Nature is the standard and reason is the guide. So Lazarus only was in a coma, and Jesus only appeared to walk on water.

4 - the Devotional method which assumes that the main purpose of the Scripture is the personal edification of every single Christian person. So, if a spiritual principle worked for you in a singular instance, that means that it is the word of God for everyone.  This leads to serious error by valuing personal experience higher than anything else as a measuring stick. 

5 - The Literal-Grammatical-Historical method, which assumes that the words of Scripture in their plain, evident meaning are reliable.  It considers the customary use of the words in their culture and history and grammatical usage, and respects the spiritual work of the Holy Spirit in the Bible while not accepting occult spiritism.  It recognizes that the Bible applies accurately to many levels of human spiritual life.  For example, the Song of Solomon has application to a man and this wife, to Jesus and the church, and to God and Israel.

In another lesson at another time, I will share the 17 principles used for safe interpretation under the Literal-Grammatical-Historical method.  Just because Judas Iscariot took his own life doesn’t mean that we should all “go and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).  Good interpretation is important!

Now, with the importance of the interpretive method established, we’re ready to safely look at Bible prophecy.  If you just click on the internet to learn about prophecy, beware.  I personally listened to a current day Youtube teacher who was trying to assert that the earth is flat!  The LGH (for short) method leads you to one conclusion - the Pretribulation “Rapture” of the church, and the Premillennial return of Jesus to the earth.  So, What on Earth is Happening? (The title of this message)

First, we are in a time period between the Ascension of Jesus and the Rapture (Translation) of the church.  Jesus is presently building the Church. During this time, Four Great Gentile kingdoms will appear, setting the stage for the rise of the antichrist and the start of the great Tribulation.  These four kingdoms, which will keep getting more identifiable are the following:

1. Kingdom of the Beast -  Daniel 2, Daniel 7, Revelation 13 and Revelation 17 describe four successive kingdoms which will have dominion over Palestine, the last being the Roman Empire.  Daniel saw a large statue, with feet and toes of iron and clay.  Europe is today the best fit to identify as the kingdom of the Beast, or Antichrist.  The Antichrist will be a gentile. He will set up his headquarters in Jerusalem and be worshipped as God in by unsaved people.  He will rule over all people and be challenged by the other three kingdoms below

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2. Kings from the East - Revelation 16:12 These will come from beyond the Euphrates River, most likely present day Asian nations. 

3.   King of the South - Daniel 11:40 - Least understood of all four powers, The King of the South has gained 

      power in our lifetimes, right before our eyes.  Once thought to be Egypt, it is now seen as a kingdom of 

     Islamic peoples, which has taken shape in the Middle East and across the entire northern rim of Africa.  Its 

     influence is affecting modern day Europe

4.  King of the North - Ezekiel 38:2-6 describes a northern confederacy which opposes the revived form of 

     the Roman Empire, which never completely ceased to exist.  Accepted by most interpreters as Russia, 

     with allied nations in a geographical swath in a direct line between Moscow and Jerusalem. 

These conflicts are shaping the four kingdoms as we speak.  There are currently 8 major world conflicts which have caused 10,000 or more violent deaths. They are: Myanmar (Burma) civil war, Arab-Israeli conflict,Somali Civil War, Congolese conflicts, Islamist insurgencies in Africa, Mexican Drug war, Sudan civil war, Russo-Ukrainian war

Matthew 24:6 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. 6And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

God knows about these wars and is in control of them all. Notice that they must be.  Notice also that we are not to be alarmed!  So, what should we be doing now that we know this?

Matthew 28:19-20 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”NASB

1 Peter 5:1-2 Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: 2shepherd the flock of God among you, NASB

Conclusion:  Making disciples, and its natural follow-on, shepherding the flock, is how we advance God’s kingdom.  Many people want to do these simple tasks but don’t know how.  The answer is not found in making clever arguments or being good at debating theology, but in working as a group to bring people into friendship. You probably will have more success if you join a group.  People join something in small groups of friends.   Find a branch group and get involved.  The entry is very easy.  It usually only involves eating some food.  Anyone can do that.  Invite a friend and teach him to do the same.  Easy! You’ve actually started making a disciple!