Signs & Wonders Blog

Tomorrow afternoon, portions of the United States will get to view a total solar eclipse. When the last one occurred seven years ago, my hometown newspaper (the Fargo Forum) published an article about two Messianic believers claiming the eclipse represented “a seven-year judgment on America.” I agreed with their exhortation of our country’s need for repentance. However, they also stated that unless America repents, “another one [eclipse] is coming in seven years.” Eclipses happen regardless of what man does on earth. Nevertheless, God uses signs in the sky to get our attention such as the wise men being led by a star to Bethlehem in Matthew chapter 2. The rainbow in Genesis 9 was a sign that God will not flood the whole earth again. Acts 2 mentions signs of the end times prophesied by Joel… 19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of ...

At the beginning of the 20th century, many would have scoffed at the idea of Russia becoming a world power. That happened after World War II when Soviet forces occupied Eastern European countries. Differences between the United States and the Eastern bloc nations resulted in the Cold War. Since the collapse of communism in 1991, the U. S. and Russia had better relations. That changed a few days ago when Russian troops invaded the Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has talked of reestablishing the former Soviet Union. I’m not blindly accepting everything reported by the mainstream media. While I don’t condone the war, other things are happening behind the scenes. While seeking information from alternative news sources, I learned targets taken out by Russian forces include bio-labs funded by the United States Department of Defense. What if Russia set up bio-labs in Canada or Mexico? The U. S. government would likely take swift action like what happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. ...

A few weeks ago, I stopped at McDonald’s after spending part of the afternoon passing out gospel tracts. Because the cashier line was long, I used a self-serve kiosk to pay for my food. I was a bit surprised when noticing the order number on my receipt was 666. Just about everyone knows that number is associated with the Antichrist as mentioned in Revelation 13… 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,  17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. While many Bible prophecy followers believe the mark will be a microchip, it could also be a tattoo. Until a generation ago, tattoos in Western countries were mostly seen on military men. Nowadays, both men and women from all walks o...

Jehovah’s Witnesses are among the most difficult people to witness to. The Watchtower has indoctrinated them with false interpretations of Scripture. One of which is only 144,000 people will get into heaven. All other Jehovah’s Witnesses will supposedly live forever in an earthly paradise. This is a gross misinterpretation of God’s word. Revelation 7 identifies the 144,000 as Jewish evangelists, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel that will minister during the seven-year tribulation period. Verse 9 from that same chapter refers to “a great multitude which no one could number , of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” standing before God’s throne clothed with white robes. In case you have doubts as to where this is taking place, Psalm 11:4 says, “The Lord’s throne is in heaven.” The Bible clearly shows there is room for more than 144,000 people in heaven. To defend their paradise doctrine, Jehovah’s Witnesses often quote what Jesus said in Matthew 5:5; “Bless...

One sign often cited by Bible prophecy teachers that we are living in the last days is Israel becoming a nation again. This is interpreted through Jesus’ Parable of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24 (also mentioned in the gospels of Mark and Luke)… 32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!  34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.  35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away People have differences regarding how long a generation is in Scripture. Some have defined that as 40 years, 70 years, or 100 years. One fellow prophecy buff suggested it could last as long as the man’s lifespan during a particular time period. Other Old Testament passages associated God’s people to fig trees… ...

Last Sunday night I saw the latest blood moon in the sky. I couldn’t get a decent picture of it with my phone or camcorder but saw photos taken by Facebook friends. I also noticed friends posted mocking comments because the Apocalypse didn’t happen. The recent blood moon tetrad plus a total solar eclipse on March 20th of this year were simply signs that we are living in the last days. As Acts 2:20 says, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.” The lunar and solar eclipses were never meant to signify the exact day of the Lord’s return.  Ministers like John Hagee brought attention to the blood moons because three previous tetrads also coinciding on Jewish holidays occurred around the time significant events happened involving the Jews... In 1493 and 1494, total lunar eclipses occurred on the Jewish Passover and the Feast of Trumpets both years. This was after King Ferdinand and Queen...

Recently while evangelizing on the streets of Tampa, Florida, I talked with a man who claimed God told him he would never die. He affirmed this belief even after I quoted Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” It amazes me how some individuals think they will be an exception and live forever on this earth. Although God wants us to have a long life (Psalm 91:16), we still live in a cursed world. People die unexpectedly every day from diseases, accidents, murders, and other tragedies. John 11 contains a passage that appears to be contradictory... 25 Jesus said to her [referring to Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” Scripture shows there are two different ki...

Remember the hoopla about the end of the world that was supposed to occur on December 21, 2012 (according to some people’s interpretation of the Mayan calendar)? Of course that didn’t happen. Those of you reading this are still alive and breathing. Three years before that, the motion picture “2012” was released. It was well produced but biblically inaccurate since the movie showed the whole earth flooded by a great tsunami. God promised in Genesis 9:11, “...never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” In addition, the world will suffer through a seven-year tribulation period before the return of Jesus Christ. Some believers think we are in the tribulation right now. That won’t begin until the antichrist signs a seven-year peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27). One noteworthy event happened for me on “doomsday.” I had returned to my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota for the holidays and stopped to see my mother who was recovering from a stroke. For over 20 years I...

I have a friend who for a long time was a “pre-trib” rapture believer and talked of debating an outspoken “post-trib” minister he allows to have meetings in his home. Having been to one of those meetings, I kept discouraging my friend from trying to correct this minister who wasn’t apologetic after I pointed out the inaccuracy of one of his claims . Then last month following a church service, my friend announced he now believes the church will be raptured “mid-trib.” When I gave a reason why I cannot agree with him on that, he got out his cell phone and was about to call someone to help defend his newly-embraced doctrine. Fortunately that got interrupted when my friend was called forward by two altar workers to receive prayer. I then quietly slipped out of the church. It’s one thing for Christians to reason together so we can all grow in knowledge of the Scriptures. Unfortunately, some focus on promoting doctrines that have no effect on people’s eternal destinies. Occasional...

In response to this weekend’s release of the “Left Behind” remake starring Nicholas Cage (which I haven’t seen yet at the time of this writing), my Facebook News Feed has been flooded with negative comments. Many of which were posted even before the movie hit the theaters!  The criticism of “Left Behind” has mostly been about it depicting the aftermath of the rapture. Some Christians believe there won’t be a rapture at all. One Facebook friend went so far as to label those who preach a pre-tribulation rapture “heretics.” That’s a strong accusation considering that would include Tim LaHaye (the co-author of the original “Left Behind” series), Perry Stone, John Hagee, Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impe and numerous other men of God. For the sake of time and to discourage online debates on the subject, I will avoid explaining in this article why I believe in a pre-trib rapture of the church. However, I need to point out a few things to any rapture bashers reading this. First, not all ...

Not long after committing my life to the Lord in 1991, I developed an interest in end-time prophecy. One thing that helped me learn more about the subject was a series of films produced by Mark IV Pictures. The first of which was the 1972 release “A Thief in the Night.” As I’ve become friends with Christians from different denominations, I found out about the varying beliefs out there on how end-time events will pan out. Among the doctrines I’ve heard taught is that we are either in the tribulation, it’s already happened, or there is no tribulation. Yet the Bible talks about a world ruler who will emerge before the return of Christ. Even non-believers know about this man called the Antichrist.  1 John 2:22 says, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” The Greek word for antichrist is antichristos which means “the adversary of the Messiah.” Other verses in John’s epistles make it clear the Antichrist...

While in New York City late last year, I saw other preachers there passing out tracts, open air preaching, and displaying banners. It’s encouraging to see more of God’s people reaching out to the lost. Unfortunately, some of them are really off with their doctrine. At a subway station, I encountered one woman with literature claiming God’s judgment was coming upon the world on May 21st, 2011. When she tried handing me a brochure, I asked her, “Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘No man knows the day or hour of the Son of Man’s return?'” This woman replied, “That was for the church age” and wanted to debate doctrine with me. I opted to walk away. As Titus 3:9 says, “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. ” Two days ago I read an Associated Press article about other Christians led by a radio broadcaster named Harold Camping proclaiming the rapture of the church will happen on May 21st. One follower ...

This morning my friend Lisa joined me in sharing the gospel with folks at the Fargo Street Fair. During this outreach, we saw ten people pray to receive salvation. I also encountered a man who tried preaching to me. When I asked him where he would spend eternity when his life ended, he replied “2012” and then rambled on about why he believes the world will end on December 21st of that year. Another man I talked to minutes earlier also made reference to 2012. Late last year I saw the motion picture “2012”, which I thought of as a mixture of “Armageddon”, “Titanic”, and “Independence Day.” Although the movie was well produced, it was biblically inaccurate. First of all, “2012” showed the whole earth flooded by a great tsunami. God promised in Genesis 9:11, “Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Secondly, the Bible says the world will suffer th...