The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war has incited speculation that the “End Times” is fast approaching. However, Reverend Stephen Tan debunked this last March 11 and 18 in a Coral Reef Fellowship two-part series—encouraging attendees to use the Bible as their sole source of truth.
The first session aired Grace Christian Church’s video entitled “The Mark of the Beast,” where Rev. Tan highlighted that Biblical prophecy provides believers hope. However, he stressed that speculation and attempts to interpret events out of Biblical context are unnecessary and dangerous, thereby instilling futile fear and alarm.
In part two of his talk, the speaker looked at the Russia-Ukraine issue through Biblical lenses, focusing on the tribulation. Russia’s involvement in the end times, based on history and Bible passages, is one of the five world powers (“king of the North”). Thus, Tan said that no matter the result of the war, one can only expect Russia to grow stronger in the future. Geopolitically, one can see some fulfillment in the king of the North (Russia) and his allies (such as Iran, Sudan, Libya, and Turkey). For instance, Iran had not condemned Russia for its attack on Ukraine.
However, Rev. Tan reminded attendees that fulfillment of Biblical prophecies is completed once all the events are finished; we cannot select details. A noticeable loophole in the argument that we are in the end times is found in Ezekiel 38. Tan explained that according to Scriptures, it is expected that Russia will attack a peaceful and unguarded Israel. This contradicts Israel’s current state, which continues to be alert on its defenses and is not under Russian attack.
Nevertheless, the pastor admonished attendees that Biblical prophecies remind us that God’s plan continues to unfold. Thus said, each of us must be ready for the time of judgment when we face Christ and be judged according to our deeds. The mini-series then concluded with a live question-and-answer session.
Yorumlar