Prophecy Conference June 26-28

At St. Charles Convention Center

By Jim Staley

Are these the signs of the times that we have all been waiting for? Is this really the beginning of the “End”? Even just a cursory look at what is happening in our world right now is nothing short of biblical proportions. Iran is on the brink of securing a nuclear arsenal aimed at the United States and Israel with North Korea riding in their shadow. Worldwide economists are calling for a possible total, economic collapse by the end of the year with America, Great Britain and Mexico being hit the hardest. This scenario alone would weaken the dollar dramatically and potentially bring about the greatest state of chaos since the 1930’s. And, if that wasn’t enough, global flu viruses are staged and ready for a possible international pandemic repeat of the same virus that killed 30 million people by the end of 1919! If there was any time since our Messiah walked the Earth that one can say with a tremendous degree of certainty that we are nearing the End, now is that time.

What will you do if there is a global economic meltdown and your money becomes worthless over night? Do you have a plan? What are your contingency plans in your home or local church in case of a national crisis, food shortage, health pandemic or worse? Unfortunately, millions of American Christians have bought into the idea that there is no way to know what is going to happen in the End Times and therefore we should just continue to build our houses on the beach while the radar clearly shows a massive hurricane heading in our direction.

Is the Bible clear on what we should do? Is there any way to actually know the events that will happen during these times of tribulation and how we can prepare? Does the Bible tell us with any degree of accuracy when Jesus is coming back? Ladies and gentleman, the answer to all of these pressing questions is a resounding “YES”!

Most of us have been taught that “no man can know the day or the hour” and the “Lord will come as a thief in the night.” Therefore, if we have no idea when He is coming, then there is no way for us to prepare. But, my friends, nothing could be further from the truth. That is like saying that the Prophets and the foreshadows in the Old Testament were wrong when they predicted to the DAY when the Messiah was going to come the first time, even which day He was to die and raise on! Did you know that the same Prophets, types, and shadows that foretold the First Coming, give us dramatic detail of the events that surround His Second Coming? Did you know that they even tell us which month of the year that Jesus will return? That’s right. We may not be able to know the exact day or hour, but we can know the season surrounding His return.

Remember, the scriptures foretold of His First Coming down to the exact day he would die, scripting for us every minute detail with pinpoint accuracy, including every single event that would surround His birth, death and resurrection before they happened. How did the people miss it? They simply did not know the scriptures concerning such things. And just like that generation, it is also prophesied to be the same way in the last generation. They too will get caught in the trap of leaving prophecy for someone else to study, and by default potentially miss the blessings that are given to those who are ready. They will never see it coming, although the blueprint and roadmap that was given to them to navigate through such times, was right before them their entire lives.

Let’s examine whether or not He will actually be coming as a “Thief in the night.” Or, to be more accurate, I should say “For whom” will He be as a “thief in the night.” The same passage that brings us the “Thief in the night,” is actually the very same passage that tells us that it will not be a surprise to those that know the truth. Let’s take a look:

1 Thessalonians 5:2 – “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” This is absolutely true. But we would do good to continue our reading and see what our Lord is really saying. Verse 3 – “ For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” Verse 4 – “ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” And, verse 5 – “ You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.”

From the ‘rest of the story’ we see that Jesus, the Messiah comes only as a thief to those that are walking in the darkness, meaning those that do not know the scriptures concerning such things. For those that know the scriptures concerning the last days, they will know all of the events that are foretold to happen before that Great Day of the Lord, even down to the ‘season’ He will come. That’s right. We may not know the exact day or the hour, but we WILL know the season. This is why verse one says that Paul does not need to talk to them about which season (Feast Day periods) He is going to come back on, because they already know! Verse1 - “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.”

But, don’t think that Paul means spring, summer, winter or fall. Remember, he is talking to a Jewish audience. And in the first century Jewish culture, “seasons” and “times” were calculated not by the sun, but by the biblical Feast Days that were given to them by God Himself. These very Feast Days were all given as a blueprint to prophesy the First and Second Coming of the Messiah.

There are seven major Feasts during the year, each one with Messianic, prophetic significance. They go in order detailing His First Coming to His Second. Is it coincidence that He was born during the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall and died on the first Feast Day of the year-Passover? Then He rose from the dead on precisely the Feast of First Fruits, thereby ridding mankind of all the “leavened bread” (sin) during that whole week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Is it coincidence, that the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples on the exact biblical feast day of Shavuot, which is called Pentecost? All of these things are no coincidence. They are a prophetic calendar destined to be fulfilled. Before the foundation of the world, it has all been put in place.

Out of the seven major biblical Feast Days, four of them have been fulfilled in His First Coming. The last three detail His Second Coming. So, if we want to know what He is going to do next, then we better have and understand His calendar. It is also by no coincidence that John said that he heard a voice like the sound of trumpets in the opening chapter of the book of Revelation. The very next biblical Feast Day to be fulfilled comes in the fall of the year and is called “The Feast of Trumpets”!

Understanding prophecy and End Time Events through the eyes of the Hebraic authors that penned them, will not only illuminate the prophetic scriptures of His Second Coming, but will by default, prepare His Bride to get ready for Her Groom. For this very reason, the Midwest Regional Prophecy Conference is coming to the St. Charles Convention Center June 26-28. Some of the top Hebraic, prophetic teachers from all around the country will be sharing their insights into the most relevant topic of our time…Prophecy. There has never been a more opportune time to look into these things than today. The time to prepare and understand these things is now. With some of the best Bible teachers and incredible worship, you cannot afford to miss this event! The apostle John says it best: Rev. 22:20 – “He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Jim Staley is the Director of Passion for Truth Ministries (www.passionfortruth.com) and will be one of many speakers at the Midwest Regional Prophecy Conference which will be held June 26-28 at the St. Charles Convention Center located at One Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, MO 63303. To register for this event visit www.TheProphecyConference.com or call (636) 456-0068.