A conference focused on the current hostile climate toward Israel in the Middle East has revealed that a number of prominent historians and theologians believe the world is witnessing biblical prophecies related to the End Times unfold before its very eyes. 

Israel, the Church and the Middle East Crisis conference took place March 23-24 at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif., and was organized by Messianic Jewish organization Chosen People Ministries. In February, The Christian Post sat down with Dr. Mitch Glaser, president of Chosen Ministries, who revealed that based on the Old Testament and the teachings of the New Testament, he believes Israel will become the focus of the world as the second coming of Jesus Christ nears.

"The Middle East will become the nexus or the focal point of what God is going to do in the very last days of planet Earth. All eyes will be on Israel and her neighbors and so it is important for those who are trying to decipher the times in which we live – not date setting, but knowing 'the times and seasons' in which we live," Dr. Glaser said in a recent follow-up interview with CP. more >>

The Book of Revelation has been the focus of ongoing discussion for those looking into what, if any, relevance the prophetic book might hold for present times, and an in-depth study by one author suggests that some views on the prophetic book, including the rapture and tribulation, may be misguided.

Revelation is commonly viewed as a prophetic book full of challenging imagery and descriptions that seem to tell of future events concerning the apocalypse, or the end of the world. While some scholars argue that the events described in Revelation have already occurred, many Christians believe the book, attributed to the apostle John, tells of a future apocalypse. 

A survey released last year by the National Association of Evangelicals revealed that a majority of evangelical Christian leaders believe that Jesus Christ will return to Earth and reign with his followers for 1,000 years, as described in the Book of Revelation. The theological stance, referred to as premillenialism, was shared by 65 percent of those surveyed. more >>

The Rev. Gerald Haug, author of Ortho-Millennialism: Bringing Order to End-Time Chaos, discussed in a recent interview with The Christian Post the eternal fate of believers, as well as unbelievers who have passed away, elaborating on why he thinks the Resurrection of the Dead mentioned numerous times in the Bible has already happened. In addition, Haug claims a desire to defend Scripture has led Christians to wrongly interpret many biblical prophecies. 

Chapters nine and 10 of Haug's Ortho-Millennialism are focused specifically on the Resurrection of the Dead and the fate of departed Christians – how, or when they are received, or brought together with Christ in heaven after their physical death.

Contrary to the evangelical Christian view that there will be a final judgment for all people, both believers and unbelievers, as theologians say is supported by Scripture, Haug does not believe that Christians are awaiting the coming of Christ to judge all of mankind. Instead, he argues, believers who pass away will be given a new body in heaven with Christ. Unbelievers, on the other hand, will be judged by Christ and all those who shared the Word of God with them after all of human history passes, and will be sent to the lake of fire, otherwise known as the "second death," where they will be eternally punished for their sins. more >>

The following is an edited transcript of the audio.

Is the United States talked about in the book of Revelation?

Not that I know of! more >>

Harvest Ministries leader Greg Laurie concluded the last of his three radio interviews with Calvary Chapel founder Pastor Chuck Smith on Wednesday by asking him about the future of Israel.

Affirming that the current threats against Israel are a sign of the end times, he stated, "The Bible tells us that the Lord is going to gather them back into the land and there is going to be an endeavor to destroy them. It is interesting that Iran is one of those nations that will be aligned together with Russia in the attempt to destroy [Israel]. It's interesting how they are all coming together now.

"We see the problems that are over there and we realize that it looks like we are right on the border of the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39." more >>

After numerous failed doomsday predictions, Family Radio founder Harold Camping announced this month that he has no plans to predict ever again the day of God's Judgment. He also issued an apology to listeners, admitting that he was wrong.

"We have learned the very painful lesson that all of creation is in God's hands and He will end time in His time, not ours!" a statement on Family Radio's website reads. "We humbly recognize that God may not tell His people the date when Christ will return, any more than He tells anyone the date they will die physically."

Camping, 90, has made predictions about Judgment Day, Christ's return and the end of the world for the past few decades – with the May 21, 2011, forecast receiving the most media attention. Each time the date passed, he did not admit to mistaking the timing but instead reasoned that the events happened "spiritually" rather than physically. more >>