THE FUTURE IS NOW!

Were you ever asleep

and awoke with a start

by a dream that seemed real

with some monster at your heel?

With a sudden surprise

as I opened my eyes

some giant-like screen

dropped down from the skies.

I sat there amazed

like a vision ablaze

there were beasts coming near

and I shuddered in fear.

there were lions and bears

with a leopard around

yet no one to rescue

no help to be found.

Then a monster-like Beast

indescribably cruel

with ten horns on it head

arose to its feet

and like Rome with its iron

in league with the clay

it was weakened in strength

and began to decay.

Looking closer I found

in the midst of its horns

a master-deceiver

proclaimed as the Christ

arose from this vision

like a demon from hell

and with wondrous signs

began to foretell

The world was amazed

that this leader from Rome

could so quickly arise

to Europe's gold throne

but a treaty of peace

was signed with the Jews

and the Temple was built

with deception it's ruse.

Then a Dragon was seen

with its fury unleashed

with destruction and death

causing pain and distress

knowing soon his demise

would reveal his disguise

with the kingdoms of earth

coming under God's curse.

Then a Stone could be seen

rolling down from a cliff

making chaff of this Frame

bringing Nations to shame

for the word of His mouth

will make dust of this clod

and the earth will give birth

to the kingdom of God.

Then the heavens rejoiced

as the King took His throne

with the Bride at His side

who in Christ did atone

for a thousand year reign

the rule of His peace

will spread through the earth

and all wars will then cease.

--B. Pent

APOCALYPTIC SIGNS

The war-clouds are forming

The nations are raging

The stage is preparing

The drama unfolding.

The end time revealing

God's Word is fulfilling

The spotlight is showing

The prophet's clear warning.

The Nations are gathering

And Israel is trembling

Invasion is threatening

To rob them His blessing.

Beware while reflecting

That God is rejecting

His promise replacing

The Church now possessing.

An oath that is binding

When by Himself swearing

Cannot by rebelling

Be broken for sinning.

The hour is coming

At Jesus' returning

When Israel repenting

His promise fulfilling.

--B. Pent

IS 2012 OUR LAST YEAR?

THE NEW YEAR LIES BEFORE US
THE SIGNS SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR
THE END-TIME IS UPON US
THE CHOICE YOU MAKE IS HERE.

THE PROPHETS TELL OF TROUBLE
OF NATIONS IN DISTRESS
WITH WAR AND FAMINES GROWING
OF DEATH AND LONELINESS.

TEN NATIONS, DANIEL TELLS US
WILL FORM A SINGLE HEAD
AND ONE WILL TRY TO CHARM US
BY RISING FROM THE DEAD.

THE BEAST WILL FORM A TREATY
WITH JEWS AND ARABS, TOO
AND ALL THE WORLD WILL WONDER
"CAN LASTING PEACE BE TRUE?"

THEN FROM THE TEMPLE THRONE
THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL SPEAK
AS ARMAGEDDON FORCES
AROUND JERUSALEM MEET.

THE SUN WILL THEN GROW DIMMER
THE MOON WILL HIDE ITS FACE
AS ANGELS POUR OUT JUDGMENT
UPON THE HUMAN RACE.

A CHOICE DEMANDS AN ANSWER
YOU CANNOT NEUTRAL BE
IT'S EITHER CHRIST OR SATAN
THAT MARKS YOUR DESTINY.
--B. Pent

The Developing Stage Towards Armageddon

Zechariah 1:18-21 - The Four Horns & Four Craftsmen

The prophet looked and saw four horns
As nations rise to rule the world
He asked the angel who these were
"They scattered Jews throughout the earth."

The prophet Daniel saw the same
Four monstrous beasts rose from the sea
Babylon & Persia, Greece & Rome
Gentile powers til Christ's return.

A frightening sight at last appeared
A ten-horned monster looking weired
And from its head a little horn
The beast of Revelation born.

But then four craftsmen did arise
To terrify these national horns
They are the agents God had sent
Until all earthly rule is spent.

The first was Cyrus, Persia's king
Who conquered Babylon from within
Then Alexander ruled from Greece
Destroying Xerxes' ocean fleet.

The power of Rome where Caesar ruled
Crushed all the kings of Grecian fame
Yet from within corruption flowed
Until through time it did implode.

Then in the vision Daniel saw
Ten horns revived where Rome once stood
But to its feet of iron-clay
The "Rock" of Ages crushed its prey.

The final craftsman is that "Stone"
Where Christ will rule from Israel's throne
And all the kingdoms of this world
Will then confess that Christ is Lord.
--B. Pent

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. Whom do the "horns" in verses 19-20 represent and why is this symbol used?

2. "Horns" in Scripture represent "power" and "authority." What "power" is described in Daniel 7:8,11,20-21 and about whom is it speaking?

3. In Daniel 7:3, four "great beasts" are said to come out of the sea, each representing a different nation. Then in Daniel 8 he identifies two of them as a ram with two horns and a goat with one horn which later becomes 4 horns. Can you identify these Nations?

4. The "craftsmen" refer to divine agents used to destroy other nations. Daniel 2 describes the rise and fall of the four world empires. How and by whom were they destroyed?

5. During the time of the revived Roman Empire described by the feet of iron and clay, a final "agent" is seen toppling the last "horn." Who is it and how does that fit into our text?