ARE WE LIVING IN THE ‘END TIMES’?
Author and pastor Jimmy Evens wrote in the Introduction to this 2020 book, “I believe the end times officially began in 1948 when Israel became a nation… That began the prophetic clock ticking. Since that time, we have seen prophecy after prophecy fulfilled, and they are still unfolding constantly around the world. There is virtually no mathematical chance that these events could be accidental… I believe we have reached the boiling point of something far bigger than a particular social or cultural change. I believe we have approached … the end of the age… we are already there, and these things are happening NOW… I am also going to show you how to have hope and peace in the midst of it all.” (Pg. viii-ix)
He explains, “The beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy was in AD 70. The Roman general Titus had invaded Israel, finally destroying the city of Jerusalem. The Jewish people were scattered throughout the world (the Diaspora), where they would remain for approximately 1,900 years. In 1948 they began to return to their homeland. Then in 1967 Israel engaged in the Arab-Israeli Six Day War. On June 10, 1967, the Jews remained control of the city, and it remains in their hands today. For me, this is the most significant prophetic event of my lifetime.” (Pg. 13)
He reports, “A blood moon is the same as a lunar eclipse when the moon turns red. Four consecutive blood moons are called a tetrad. Before 1949 the convergence of four consecutive blood moons on Jewish holy days hadn’t occurred for 500 years… The first time there were four blood moons on Jewish holy days in successive years was in 1492 and 1493… The second time … was in 1949 and 1950. Israel became a nation in one day on May 14, 1948, but was not established as a government until 1949. The third time it happened was in 1967 and 1968. The Jews took full control of the city of Jerusalem in 1967… The fourth and last time it happened was in 2014 and 2015… Undoubtedly, God is sending signals in the sky related to the end of the age and the return of Jesus… [In 2014 and 2015] The Jews prepare to rebuild God’s holy Temple… The Temple Institute and other Jewish religious groups have been diligently preparing to rebuild the Temple and reinstate all ceremonies, sacrifices, and worship… On August 2, 2018, a red heifer was born in Isael, and this animal currently qualifies as ‘unblemished.' This incident is critical because a third Temple cannot be built until a red heifer exists that can qualify as a sacrifice.” (Pg. 34-37)
He argues, “On May 14, 2018, the State of Israel turned 70 years old. Five months earlier… US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s true and legitimate national capital and began plans to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. For the first time since King Cyrus… a major world leader has formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. Yes, I believe the clock if moving forward very rapidly. If the generation Jesus was referring to is 70 years, then we are already past it. If it is 80 years, we aren’t that far away.” (Pg. 40)
He observes, “In 2017 the US experienced two major natural events within a single week. On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse crossed over the US… This astrological phenomenon had not happened for 99 years, although it will occur again on April 8, 2024. When that event takes place, the eclipse will mark an ‘X’ over the US. Historically, Jewish tradition considers eclipses to be warnings to Israel… are these two crossing eclipses a warning for the world? I believe they very well could be.” (Pg. 72)
He continues, “I must tell you before I discuss the next astronomical sign that I believe this is the second-most significant event related to the end times of my lifetime... the description of this end times sign [IS] in Revelation 12:1-6… On September 23, 2017, viewed most clearly from the city or Jerusalem, the constellation Leo was positioned directly above the head of the constellation Virgo, the ‘virgin.’… This event coincided with the High Holy Days of Rosh Hoshana… The planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars joined these brighter stars to make the appearance of a 12-jeweled crown sitting atop Virgo’s head.” (Pg. 77-78)
He admits, “People are always speculating about who the Antichrist is… But the truth is, I don’t really know, and neither do you. It’s not revealed yet. No one will know until after the Rapture, and I don’t plan to be there.” (Pg. 103)
He says of RFID chips, “It can be placed in your arm, on your hand, or even in your forehead… the Bible says there will be some kind of identification on the bodies of every individual who wants to buy or sell… This type of technology … simply did not exist a century ago. Ours is the first generation to experience this kind of technological advancement that the Bible says will be available in the Tribulation.” (Pg. 170)
He explains, “Genesis says that both before and after the Flood, there were giants on earth. The Hebrew word … [is] ‘Nephilim,’ which means ‘fallen ones.’… Who, then, are these sons of god Genesis mentions?... every time the Bible mentions giants, they are at war with God and God with them… biblical giants … are not humans in the sense of being pure and direct descendants of Adam and Eve. In biblical terms… giants are in the image of Satan. This is my personal position, but it is a studied position.” (Pg. 183)
He asserts, “Throughout the centuries many Jewish scholars taught that the seven days in Genesis chapter 1 correspond to 7,000 years of human history. In the very beginning, God was saying, ‘There will be 7,000 years for humanity.’ During the first 6,000 years, humans will have an opportunity to manage the earth. Then Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years. Humanity’s 6,000 years are over… We simple happen to be the generation that is alive at its fulfillment.” (Pg. 200-201) He adds, “If we are in the end times and human history is a period of 6,000 years, then a survey of the calendar will give us verification that we are very near the end.” (Pg. 205)
He notes, “According to the Jewish civil calendar, the year of this book’s publication is 5780… So if the year is 5780, then 20 years remain until the 6,000-year mark… A small group of Messianic Jews … maintain that 6,000 years from Creation is much closer to the present year… They originally said 2015 was year 6001 and speculated that Jesus would be returning that September. However, as we know, Jesus did not return then. So I’m giving caution to anyone who is looking for a specific date… Over my lifetime, I have witnessed many people who set dates. I do not recall the results being good for any of these people.” (Pg. 206-207)
This book will appeal to some Christians interested in biblical prophecy.