As with all things of the supernatural such as ghosts and spirits, Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce, whatever one’s thoughts about Bible prophecies there is a great deal of interest in such things, and it is of personal interest to me that Glenn Beck would be giving so much air time to this subject and so many people are tuning in. His latest guest Joel Rosenberg has a good grasp of the “End Times” doctrine to which most evangelical Christians subscribe, and reminds me of my spiritual mentor Dr. Charles Lee Feinberg who became the Dean of Talbot Theological Seminary where I first met him. Dr. Feinberg published many books of exposition and commentary about the Old Testament prophets, and gave me much personal guidance in my own Biblical studies.

With my background in such studies I find myself in my own element with those like Rosenberg, and understand his position very well. Though there are several forms of “Dispensational” theology, many interpretations of Eschatology, exegesis and hermeneutical viewpoints there is also much agreement concerning what Jesus referred to as the “end of the age” and the apocalyptic visions of Revelation. Rosenberg among others point to some of the “signs of the times” such as Israel once more becoming a nation in order for the end time prophecies to be fulfilled. There are other things like satellite communications enabling the whole world to view the things taking place during the end time.

Some of us believe it is no coincidence that so much TV programming has been given over to doomsday scenarios, many of which fit right in with Biblical prophecies concerning the end of the age, which according to the Bible is not the end of the world but results in a new beginning with a new heaven and earth where there will be no evil. It is my hope this will be the case, since I don’t find much basis for such hope in the works of men and the historical record together with current events doesn’t provide much room for optimism about the future.

Like Henry Thoreau I have always wanted wide latitude for my life, and “hobbles and fences” have never been to my liking either by lifestyle or in my thinking. It is for this reason I refuse to be confined by any doctrines of men whether of theology or science; but neither am I close minded to facts of either discipline. Neither am I close minded to the possibilities that may be in the domain of the supernatural of whatever nature, and I remain of the opinion there are things inexplicable to science that may well remain in the realm of the supernatural.

Now here is something that to my mind, though it be of science has all the signs of the supernatural: Humans Almost Became Extinct 70,000 Years Ago: Human beings may have had a brush with extinction 70,000 years ago, an extensive genetic study suggests. The human population at that time was reduced to small isolated groups in Africa, apparently because of drought, according to an analysis released Thursday. The report notes that a separate study by researchers at Stanford University estimated the number of early humans may have shrunk as low as 2,000 before numbers began to expand again in the early Stone Age. "This study illustrates the extraordinary power of genetics to reveal insights into some of the key events in our species' history," Spencer Wells, National Geographic Society explorer in residence, said in a statement. "Tiny bands of early humans, forced apart by harsh environmental conditions, coming back from the brink to reunite and populate the world," he added. "Truly an epic drama, written in our DNA." Wells is director of the Genographic Project, launched in 2005 to study anthropology using genetics. The report was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics…

If in fact the human population had been so close to the brink of extinction, one can only guess what saved our species from utter extinction? If we accept such a premise we must also accept, discounting things like extraterrestrial influence, that everything leading to our present condition came from this miniscule number of human beings, and this would include all the myths and legends which this tiny number of humans passed on to future generations, each expanding and elaborating on these to fit their circumstances. At that, there are only educated guesses as to what eventually led to the beginnings of civilization as we know it. The wonder of it all, as the hymn so well expresses, is truly mind-boggling!

There is another wonder, and one which many like Dr. Feinberg pointed out, the fact of Israel becoming a nation. Not only was this thought to be impossible, neither would anyone suppose such a tiny nation could be so prominent in world affairs. Now it seems this tiny nation as per Biblical prophecies concerning the end times is pivotal to the fulfillment of such prophecies. If for no other reason I am willing to credit the truth of the Bible in this, and continue to be grateful I know it so well.

The many forms of religion have served in large measure to deceive and delude; but it is difficult to read the Bible in its entirety without having a sense of the truth of it in many instances, one such truth being that of John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress.” The righteous enter into life through much tribulation.

As I was discussing this the other day with my good friend Byron, the Episcopal Priest, the point of Jesus concerning the real prophets of God not living luxuriously is one that still separates the wolves from the flock notwithstanding how so many seem to flaunt wealth as a measure of God’s approval. One can only accept those following such “false shepherds” are willingly deceived. And it was this point I emphasized to Byron, that Jesus himself had pointed out very few would be saved.

Whatever one’s thoughts about the subject, I find it of continuing interest. And so long as I remain interested in such things my mind stays active and alert to others and present events, and like most people I have my own thoughts about such things like Biblical prophecies.

Over 150 years ago Emerson wrote: “The appearance strikes the eye everywhere of an aimless society, of aimless nations. Were the ends of nature so great and cogent, as to exact this immense sacrifice of men?”

These words of Emerson are nearly prophetic of the times in which we live. But no, we are not to blame nature for the actions of men intent on making wars for the sake of power and wealth for example, but as Emerson emphasized the delusion of religion is promising a reward for being righteous in the “sweet by and by” all the while refusing to confront evil and make every attempt to overcome it in the present world. However, as the Scripture has it if the righteous scarcely be saved what is to be the end of the unrighteous? In my opinion, we may soon find out. And in my opinion, Glenn Beck believes this as well. The question is why CNN is cooperating with him? In the words of John the Baptist to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.” Perhaps some at CNN are listening.