Page 49 - Prophetic Word Newsletters Archive 2006 by Pastor Randy Shupe

“THEIR THOUGHTS ARE THOUGHTS OF INIQUITY; WASTING AND DESTRUCTION ARE IN THEIR PATHS.

THE WAY OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN, AND THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THEIR WAYS; THEY HAVE
MADE FOR THEMSELVES CROOKED PATHS; WHOEVER TAKES THAT WAY SHALL NOT KNOW PEACE.” Isa. 59:7-8

“ ‘THERE IS NO PEACE,’ SAYS THE LORD, ‘FOR THE WICKED.’” Isa. 48:22

I find the above “promises” God makes to the wicked most enlightening when they
are contrasted to the single prophetic mark that Paul states will take place on the
earth just prior to the rapture and the beginning of the seven year tribulation:

“BUT CONCERNING THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS, BRETHREN, YOU HAVE NO
NEED THAT I SHOULD WRITE TO YOU. FOR YOU YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY
THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMES AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. FOR WHEN

THEY SAY, ‘PEACE AND SAFETY!’

THEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMES UPON THEM, AS LABOR PAINS UPON A
PREGNANT WOMAN. AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE. BUT YOU, BRETHREN, ARE
NOT IN DARKNESS, SO THAT THIS DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF.”

1 Thess. 5:1-4

There are two ways that this phrase could be interpreted, (1) The world could be crying our FOR “peace
and safety,” but this would not be a new thing for the world has always cried out for peace in times of war.
The other more likely interpretation is (2) the world cries out WHEN “peace and safety” is achieved. I
have to see that this would indeed be a notable prophetic sign in line with Paul’s overall theme in these
passages. The world will have on their lips the words “peace and safety!”, but instead, God will see to it
that this euphoria will suddenly turn into a time of destruction. Why so? Because God has said, “The way
of peace they have not known”, and “Whoever takes that way shall not know peace” , and “There is no
peace for the wicked.”

Is the world presently saying, “Peace and safety!” ? No, they
are not. Is the world in pursuit of peace and safety? Yes, they
are.

The events of 911 have forever changed America. We are
becoming an aggressive, pre-emptive, strike-first nation, the
policeman of the whole world. The war on terror, do you think
it will be won by America? In light of Paul’s prophetic sign of
“peace and safety,”I am beginning to think that it will. Who
stands in the way of the world’s “peace and safety”? A radical
religion that ironically says it is a “religion of peace.”

Hitler rose to power on intense patriotism and the hatred of the Jews. America is feeding on patriotism
and the seeds of hating the Muslims are beginning to surface because of what impact they are having on
the American dream of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It is not just happening in America, but
in England, Spain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, France and wherever else the radicals choose to invoke their
“religion of peace” through suicide bombers blowing up innocent civilians.

The tribulation will be dominated by “Mystery Babylon” and its leader that Scripture calls “the beast.” Here
is one interesting prophetic mark which singles out America’s role in the world today:

“SO THEY WORSHIPPED THE DRAGON WHO GAVE AUTHORITY TO THE BEAST,

SAYING, ‘WHO IS LIKE THE BEAST? WHO IS ABLE TO MAKE WAR WITH HIM.’” Rev. 13:4

One thing the Muslim nations and their radicals learned very quickly is that you can’t wage conventional
warfare with America. There is none like her on the earth when it comes to the potential of its military
machine. Afghanistan and the evil regime of the Taliban, Iraq and its evil dictator Saddam Hussein, have
experienced the wrath and fury of America’s military might. Iran and Syria seem to be doing all they can
to get in line to be the next to taste its devastating power. If America prevails in its war on terror there may
indeed come a brief period in which all the world will lift up a toast and say, “peace and safety!”
If and when it happens, the enlightened Christian will know what is just around the corner!

“BUT YOU, BRETHREN, ARE NOT IN DARKNESS, SO THAT THIS DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A

THIEF… FOR WHEN THEY SAY, ‘PEACE AND SAFETY!’ THEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMES
UPON THEM…AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE… BUT YOU, BRETHREN, ARE NOT IN DARKNESS,

SO THAT THIS DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF...FOR GOD DID NOT APPOINT US TO

WRATH, BUT TO OBTAIN SALVATION THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST…” 1 Thess. 5:4,9