Well here we are again. It is September 11 of the year 2012, the eleventh anniversary of that terrible day. I still remember the numbness I felt watching the towers on fire, and the surrealness of them collapsing. My heart goes out to the families of the 3,000 who perished on that day.
It was the horrific events that occurred on that September morning in 2001, and those responsible for it, that got me thinking. I was already noticing in the years prior that the popular prophetic picture of Europe and Russia was not panning out. Up until 9/11, the activities of the Islamic realm were just a low level of noise to me. But Islam got my attention on 9/11, as it did millions.
The events of that morning kindled in my mind the question of what role Islam might play in the end times. It was then stumbling across Joel Richardson’s writing on answering-islam.org a year or so later that set me on the path. The rest was hard work and history.
It is amazing to me how many different things can come about from such an event. And on that day I would have never guessed that it would lead to my book Hidden In Plain Sight, and the birthing of this new end time Signpost Theology.
Categories: Signpost Theology
THE FOUR SIGNPOSTS 
Mark,
There are those in the Christian community who scoff at those who seriously study biblical prophecy: seeking to understand what the Scriptures teach about the end times.
I listened to a Preacher yesterday who was belittling those who thought they could chronologically explain end time events and he was commenting on this verse:
“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
What would be your response?
In brief: I would say since the Bible is Israelcentric: this verse refers to the attitude of relief among Israelis due to the false hope of peace they have acquired due to the peace treaty with the AntiChrist. The Scriptures state that this is a “Covenant with Death”(Isaiah 28.18)which begins Jacob’s trouble or the Day of the Lord.
Thanks,
James
How funny, Mark! Answering-islam.org is where I also was introduced to Joel as well because I wanted to understand Islam better and what Christians can do in response to them. That web site has done more for those searching for answers regarding Islam because the local Church is either unwilling or unable to provide satisfactory answers to questions. It was from there that I went to Joel’s Trumpet and got more education. Today is a very solemn day for Americans. Thanks for the reminder.
James,
Good question. Whenever Christ spoke of His return as being like a thief in the night He was saying that you want to make sure you are prepared. You want to make sure you are in Him and following Him. Matthew 24:42-44 says,
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
The important elements here are that we do not know His exact time of arrival, and that we want to be ready and watching. Matthew chapter 25 has three parables where Jesus illustrates what wil happen to those who are not prepared for His coming. In addition, Jesus said we will not know the time – but we will be able to see the season (Matthew 24:32-33):
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
The Four Signposts are all about watching the seasons, and not about times.
MD
Your story is somewhat similar to mine, Mark. I too became interested in Islam after 9/11 and wanted to know more. Like you, I too, stumbled across Joel Richardson’s thesis on the answering-islam.org web site and started following Joel’s Trumpet from there. I have been a convert ever since and found it just before his second prophecy conference he held in the metro area where I lived. I was so blessed to attend the video taped conference, and writing so much after a day and a half that my hand hurt! LOL The prophetic Word of God all began to fit from that moment on and God will reveal His plan when it fits His time and purposes for His seekers to know it. In my humble opinion, that time is now. And as we watch further to determine if the “Sign Post Theology” is an addition piece to lay down within God’s plan to close out this fallen age, we may indeed be the privileged generation that is spoken of in the Bible that “sees all these things.” (Matthew 24:33)