Virtual Israel
At the heart of all this is simple mathematics. Forecasts from the United States' Population Reference Bureau show Israel's population doubling in 45 years, that of the West Bank in 21 years and that of Gaza in 15 years. In other words, Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, and Israeli Arabs will outnumber the Jewish population by 2020.

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I know that many who frequent this website believe that the coming of the Lord is very soon...maybe this year.  Of course, I have had some contact me with compelling information stating why they believe the rapture will probably not be for a number of years.  Others have said it won't occur until the conclusion of the tribulation period. 

I appreciate those who have sent me information regarding their beliefs on pre, mid, and post tribulation philosophy because it has proved to make me more informed on what people believe.  But fortunately, no matter where you stand, that doesn't change your eternal destination nor who you are in Christ.  If you have been born again through faith in Jesus you're heaven bound.  If you have been born again through faith in Jesus you have the Holy Spirit living within you.  That's a fact that can't be changed no matter how much tribulation you go through. 

I'd like to point out a few reasons why the coming of the Lord is close at hand. 

One: By 2020 Jews Will Be A Minority In Their Own Land
If you haven't read the article "Virtual Israel" please do.  There is a very serious problem in Israel.  It is believed by population experts that by the year 2020 the Arab population (in Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem) will outnumber the Israeli population.  It is also believed that the Arab population in Israel will shortly outnumber that of the Jewish population again by 2020.  That’s the warning being sounded by University of Haifa's professor Arnon Sofer who states, "I am very concerned. If this is the process, and the problem is not dealt with, our country is finished in 17 years, and there will be a collapse," he said. At present, according to Ha'aretz newspaper, Jews are in a slight majority, with 50.5 percent of the population (See full article)."

Two: Increased Pressure For A Palestinian State By 2005
This isn't necessarily a reason why the Lord is coming soon, but it probably will lead to another sign of the end times and that being the invasion of Israel.  If Israel allows the U.S. to pressure them into co-existing with a Palestinian state look for the Russian-Arab attack to follow sometime in the near future.  

You might add, what about the rapture?  The rapture could happen at any moment, it doesn't need a Palestinian state to be created for that to happen.  I think many are missing something very important.  Even if a Palestinian state is created that doesn't mean they will get along.  There will probably still be suicide bombings and terror attacks from some of the terror organizations. That's not going away anytime soon.  Of course, the P.A. will deny any control or involvement with these groups, but commonsense and good intelligence say otherwise.

One of two things will happen that will finally bring some short-term peace to Israel.  One, Israel will be attacked by the Russian-Arab alliance and God will destroy them.  Two, just before the attack takes place, the antichrist comes in and averts it with his peace plan.  This will prove to only delay the attack, but I believe Israel will at this time make a peace treaty with the E.U.  This will start the clock and the beginning of the tribulation period.  How far this maybe into the future I couldn't say.

Three: How long Is A Biblical Generation?
It is commonly believed that the last generation started in 1948 when Israel once again became a nation.  The Bible says that that generation will not pass away until He comes (Matthew 24:34).  

The length of a Biblical generation has been of great debate for years ranging in length from forty to one hundred years.  Many point to the time of the exodus when the children of Israel wander in the wilderness for forty years until that unbelieving generation had all died.  Others have come up with complicated equations to determine what they believe to be a biblical generation. 

My theory is simple. When the children of Israel rebelled and God made them wander for forty years I don't think His intent was to brand forty years as the official length of a generation.  But I do think the two generations do have this in common...they both have an end.  One thing many overlook about those ten spies that started the "forty years from today you'll all be dead" clock to start ticking, they were all grown men of varying ages.  What's my point?  That generation lasted a lot longer than forty years.  If Joshua (Numbers 13 &14), who was one of the obedient spies, was twenty years old when he spied the land of Canaan, by the time the forty years of wandering were complete, he would have been sixty years old.

I think the answer is simple.  The length of the last generation will be the length of a man's life in that day, which is between seventy and eighty years.  Of course, it could also be the life span of the youngest citizen of the then newly created Israeli state. 

Well, maybe it's not as simple as I thought, and maybe the Lord planned it that way.  But either way, that generation is quickly coming to an end no matter how you calculate it.  Subtract the seven-year tribulation period and we're that much closer.  Are you ready to meet the Lord?

Pastor Malone