Page 77 - Heavenly Signs II by Mel Gable

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2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes
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first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,”
We open this chapter with the statement that this was the beginning of birth pains which would be followed by
the time of Tribulation. In the same commentary written by I.D. Campbell, it makes the following statements
about pangs.

These are birth pangs, not death pangs, and will result in something glorious. However, the natural disasters will be accompanied by
spiritual declension. The church will experience persecution, with apparent Christians betraying other Christians and turning away
from their profession of faith. The sign of genuine Christianity, according to Jesus, is not that people start living a life of discipleship,
but that they complete it! It is those who ‘endure to the end’ who will be saved (v. 13).

In spite of these difficulties, however, the gospel will continue to be preached. This state of affairs should not lead to pessimism,
however. Some readers of the Bible have focused on passages like this and have suggested that we can expect nothing in the days
preceding our Lord’s return but gradual spiritual decline. The fact that the gospel is to be preached is, however, an indication that the
decline in some places will be matched by growth and blessing in others, since the Word of God always results in sinners being saved.
We must, therefore, persevere with the worldwide evangelization of the nations, knowing that Jesus will return.
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How do we know from this heavenly event that this is the beginning of the Tribulation? It is because of the
events that follow in the heavens in subsequent months. The Tribulation would be marked by darkness and
gloom according to the ancient Prophets. Starting with the month of January 2391, the sun is darkened in the
sky. This is due to the continuation of solar eclipses of the moon or planets in the heavens, which is a very
unusual occurrence. This is followed in March 2391 with a sign of war and darkness on the earth.

January 2391 Sun and the partial eclipse of the moon
The radiant sun seems to send light from the moon that points into the heavens at Mars and Mercury. Is this a
sign of the southern Islamic alliance going into war in the near future?

113 New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (2 Th 2:3). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

114 Campbell, I. D. (2008). Opening up Matthew (145–146). Leominster: Day One Publications.