WHAT ARE
THE SIGNS OF THE END?
I am cautious when it comes to
teaching about the End Times. In my nearly
50 years of living, I have heard many theories taught as Fact. I want to be cautious to not teach something
unless I can back it up with Scripture or seen that it has come to pass and
been proven to be true and accurate.
There are many theories out there
concerning End Time prophecy…
Pre-tribulation – meaning the
Rapture will happen before the time of
Great Tribulation occurs
Mid-tribulation – meaning the Rapture will happen during the time of
Great Tribulation
Post-tribulation Rapture – meaning the Rapture will happen after the time
of Great
Tribulation
7 year Tribulation theory – meaning Great Tribulation will last 7 years
14 year tribulation theory – meaning Great Tribulation will last 14 years
Preterist theory believes that everything in the Bible has already been
fulfilled so now all things will
continue on as they are forever and we’ll
only meet judgment when we die
and stand before the Lord.
A lot of these theories are
derived from what individuals think the Bible is saying as they try to
interpret the prophecies written in the Book of Daniel and Revelation.
But if it’s not clearly defined
within the Word of God, I will be honest enough to say “here’s what I THINK
it could possibly mean” or “this is what someone else thinks and teaches that
it means.”
Time will reveal whether it is
truth or theory. For example, many have
tried to guess who the anti-Christ will be.
Years
ago, we heard Ronald Wilson Reagan was the man…after all,
there are 6 letters in each name. Time has proven that to be inaccurate.
Now,
we’re hearing Emmanuel Macron, President of France, or Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, may be.
Time will tell.
There have been dates predicted
clear back to the days and times not
long after Jesus’ ascension as to when His return would be. But Jesus said no
man knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven (Matt 24:35).
We can discern the signs of the
times letting us know that His return is getting closer, but we do not know the
day or the hour. We just have to keep watching, and waiting, keeping oil in our
lamps, stay prayed up, stay full of the Holy Ghost, and make sure we’re ready
for His return.
Is it important to read and study
on the Endtimes/what is to come?
Revelation 1:3 reads…
BLESSED is he that READETH, and
they that HEAR the words of this prophecy, and KEEP those things that are
written therein.
Keep means to watch/keep an eye
upon.
So yes, it is important that we
read, listen, and keep an eye upon what the Scriptures reveal are signs of the
end so that day does not come upon us unaware.
Otherwise, the Bible says it will come as a snare (a trap/trick/temptation).
Luke 21:34-35
Also, the Bible says that ALL
Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable (2 Tim
3:16). That’s everything from Genesis to
Revelation. If it’s in the Bible, it’s
important.
There’s so many theories and views out there.
How do I know which one is true?
The Bible says to STUDY to show
yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the Word of Truth. 2 Tim 2:15
Study = to make effort, endeavor,
labor
Workman = a toiler, a teacher
So we are to make an effort to
learn and search out what the Scriptures say so that we can be a teacher of
God’s Word who is not ashamed and can correctly dissect and expound the Word of
Truth.
We need to pray for God to open
our understanding as we read the Bible, study the Bible, and listen to the
teaching of those have studied prophecy.
Then go back to the Scriptures,
and read and study some more while fasting and praying for understanding.
I, personally, lean more-so toward Post-trib. Here is my reason why…
Matthew 13:24-30 (Parable of the Sower)
Another
parable put He forth unto them, saying,
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man
which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept,
his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went
his way.
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit,
then appeared the tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him,
Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field?
From whence then hath it tares?
He said unto them, an enemy hath done this.
The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
He said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with
them.
Let both grow together UNTIL the time of harvest:
and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them:
but gather the wheat into my barn.
The Disciples did not understand the parable so Jesus
explained it to them.
Matthew 13:36-43
(Parable of the Sower explained)
He that
soweth the good seed is the Son of man (Jesus);
The field is the world;
The good seed are the children of the Kingdom;
But the tares are the children of the wicked one;
The enemy that sowed them is the devil;
The harvest is the end of the world;
and the reapers are the angels.
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire;
so shall it be in the end of this world.
The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His
kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire:
There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.
Matthew 13:47-50 likens the End to a net cast into the sea, gathering everyone in together then dividing the wicked from the just, casting the wicked into a furnace of fire where there’s wailing and gnashing of teeth.
**Maybe I’m misunderstanding but Jesus’ parables indicate and say that all
will grow together until the end.
DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHICH WAY
YOU BELIEVE?
I didn’t used to think so, but I
have come to understand that wrong doctrine corrupts understanding. I was
taught the pre-trib theory growing up and I would love for that to be accurate
and true, however…
*it
gives people a false sense of security to the point they could take the
Mark without even realizing what it is, thinking
it’s coming AFTER the
rapture. Scripture indicates otherwise which we’ll
look further into.
*I grew
up hearing that if you don’t make it in the rapture then you’ll still
be able to make it if you just don’t take
the Mark and allow yourself to be
beheaded for the cause of Christ. If you don’t make it to heaven as easy as
it is to live for God now,
how does a person think they’re going to withstand the pressure to take the Mark
without which no one can buy or
sell?
*I’ve
heard some say “God has not appointed His people to wrath”. Tell that to the
Israelites who had to endure some of plagues before they were delivered out of
Egypt. Tell that to the Apostles and
first church…they suffered horribly before being killed. Tell that to those who have and are suffering
horrific things being tortured then killed in some foreign countries currently.
*Keep in
mind, that is not a time when God is pouring out His wrath on His people but
rather it is the spirit of antichrist waging war against the Saints (as we’ll
see and discuss later what is written in the book of Revelation)
What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24 - Jesus describes what the Saints will go
through BEFORE His return.
Jesus and His disciples were
departing from the Temple. His disciples
were pointing out how magnificent the buildings were. Jesus, in response, said something that
disturbed His disciples greatly…He said that there would not be left one stone
upon another here that shall not be thrown down.
Vs 3 - His disciples asked Jesus
3 things, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of
Thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
**End = entire completion of a dispensation (G4930)
**the world = an age (specially a messianic period) (G165)
Jesus began to explain various
things to watch for:
Vs 5 – Many shall come in My
name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (mentions similar warnings
again in verses 11 + 24)
Vs 6 – Ye shall hear of wars
and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must
come to pass, but the end is not yet.
**Within our own country we see
the evidence of war from revolts & uprisings over the past year.
Vs 7 – For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines,
and pestilences (plagues), and earthquakes in divers places.
Vs 8 – all these are the
BEGINNING OF SORROWS.
Vs 9 – Then
shall they deliver you up to be afflicted (persecuted), and shall kill you:
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake (are we not in a day
and time where we are seeing this more than ever before?)
Vs 10 – And then shall many be
offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one
another.
***we are seeing that spirit rise
in great numbers EVEN WITHIN THE CHURCH since this virus arrived. People (even Christians) are rising up
against each other, getting offended and irate because someone doesn’t see
things the way they do, is not wearing a mask, or social distancing. When a
‘Christian’ says they want to ‘throat punch’ someone because they aren’t
wearing a mask or keeping adequate distance…that is NOT of God!
**You can see where the ‘report
non mask wearers’ is going. People have already been reporting their neighbors during
the ‘stay home, save lives!’ isolation.
**Others have been busy reporting churches and trying to have them shut down as
well. It’s only the start! There is a
strong spirit of division at work currently!
Vs 11 – And many false
prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. (vs 24)
**There are many conflicting
prophecies currently floating around the internet.
Some are saying peace and safety
while others are warning of coming
destruction. Time will reveal
which ones are true and which ones are false.
Watch! Pray! Fast! Discern!
Vs 12 – And because iniquity (wickedness)
shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
**There is an overabundance of
wickedness in this old sinful world right now!
Good is called evil while evil is called good.
**for a person to feel such hate
and animosity toward someone that they would want to punch them or report them,
their love has grown cold. It is sin.
This is what concerns me with all this non-touching….people are
literally cringing away from and despising anyone who comes too close or
touches them and the devil is gloating gleefully.
Vs 13 – But he that shall endure
unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Vs 14 – and this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and THEN shall the end come.
**Many churches have begun
livestreaming services that did not used to.
Many are tuning in online watching services that never previously
watched. The Gospel is going out to all
the world via the internet. The Gospel is being preached to all the world!
Vs 15-17 – when ye therefore see the
abomination of desolation, spoke of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the
Holy Place (whoso readeth let him understand) Then let them which be in Judaea
flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take
anything out of his house. (c.r. Dan 11:31)
Vs 21 – For then shall be great
tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this
time, no, nor ever shall be.
Vs 22 – And except those days
should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s
sake those days shall be shortened.
**Scientists claim that the earth
actually spun faster in the year 2020 than in previous years so that had to
take away a nano-second. Could that be
how the days will be shortened?
Daniel 12 talks
about a “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to
that same time: and at that time Thy people shall be delivered, every one that
shall be found written in the Book.”
Daniel 12:2 – and
many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Daniel 12:4 – the
words to this book were to be sealed until the time of the end. It says that
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
**I don’t know if we’ve ever seen
a time like now with knowledge: Artificial
intelligence, smart phones (which are also tracking devices), your CC and Bank
cards are a way of tracking your purchases, facial recognition software, finger
print ID technology, self driving cars, RFID chips which can be used for
tracking (pet implants are an example), global internet, satellites, and the
list goes on.
Matt 24:23-28 – refers again and
warns against false prophets and false Christs.
Vs 29 – Immediately after
the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall
not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens shall be shaken:
Vs 30 – and then
shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall the tribes of
the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds
of heaven with power and great glory.
Vs 31 – and He shall send His
angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His
elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Sounds like
post-trib)
Vs 32-36 – tells us we can see
the signs to know when it’s nearing
Vs 37-39 – tells us the end days
are going to be like it was in the days of Noah when God became so grieved by
the wickedness of the world that He sent a flood.
Vs 40-41 – I believe this is
where the pre-trib view derives from but you have to look at the entire Bible,
not just these 2 Scriptures. That word “taken” can also be interpreted as
‘received’ as in a relationship. And ‘left’ can mean ‘to send away’. It does
not prove a pre-trib rapture theory.
Vs 42-44 - Jesus concludes with
admonishing them to watch and be ready, for in the hour that we think not the
Son of man cometh.
Vs 45-51 – another parable
exampling the unholy actions of those who don’t believe Christ’s return is near
and treat their brothers and sisters hatefully.
Some must have been teaching in
Paul’s day that the Coming of the Lord was very close. He sent them a letter
explaining what had to transpire FIRST before the Lord Jesus would return for
His Bride….
2 Thessalonians 2
Vs 1 – Now we beseech you,
brethren, by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together
unto Him,
Vs 2 – That ye be not soon
shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by
letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Vs 3 – Let no man deceive you by
any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away
first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition. (Perdition = ruin or
loss/destruction/destroy)
**have we
not been seeing a falling away in heartbreaking numbers?
**the man
of sin/son of perdition has to be revealed BEFORE Jesus returns.
Vs 4 – who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so
that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Vs 5 – Remember ye not, that,
when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Vs 6 – And now ye know what
witholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
Vs 7 – For the mystery of
iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (withholdeth – same Greek
word G2722) will let, until (let things continue until) he be taken out of the
way.
Vs 8 – And then
shall that Wicked be revealed…
Vs 9 – even him, whose coming
is after the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.
Vs 10 – and with all deceivableness
of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love
of the truth, that they might be saved.
Vs 11 – And for this cause God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Vs 12 – that they all might be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
What does the Bible say about the
antichrist?
1 John 2:18 - …ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:22 – Who is a liar but
he that denieth the Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist….
1 John 4:3 – And every spirit
that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and
this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should
come; and even now already is it in the world.
2 John 1:7 – For many deceivers
are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
**Antichrist means an opponent of
the Messiah. So, anyone who is against Christianity, against Jesus, against the
Bible is following the spirit of antichrist.
Daniel 7 - speaks of 10 horns (rulers) that arise on a beast. Then another horn (ruler) arises among them
and plucks up three.
Vs 21-27 - That horn will make
war with the saints. He will speak great
words against the Most High, and shall wear out THE SAINTS of the
Most High, and think to changes times and laws. It will appear he is prevailing against
us….until the Ancient of Days comes and says “Enough!”
John saw a similiar vision years later and recorded it in Revelation 13.
Vs 1-2 - He talks about a beast (antichrist? antichrist spirit?) that rose out of the sea with 7 heads and 10 horns. The dragon (devil) gives this beast power, and his seat, and great authority.
**Rev 12:9 – lets us know that dragon is the devil.
**the 7 heads are 7 mountains upon which the woman sits, the mother of all
harlots, which is the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth. (Rev
17)
**the 10 horns are 10 kings (Rev 17:12)
**the sea are the people and nations (Rev 17:15)
Vs 3-4 - One of the heads on the
beast became wounded and died but then the deadly wound heals up causing
everyone to wonder after the beast and worship both the dragon and the beast
saying “who is like the beast?”
Vs 5-6 - This beast will speak
blasphemy against God and His name for almost 2 years.
Vs 7-8 - During that time, he will
make war with THE SAINTS and overcome them. And he will have world
dominance. (One world government)
Vs 9-10 – warns us “If any man
have an ear, let him hear. he that leadeth into captivity shall go into
captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here
is the patience and the faith of THE SAINTS.”
Vs 11-12 – another beast will
arise from the earth (the false prophet?).
He’s going to appear to be like a lamb but will speak as a dragon. (the Bible says the devil can appear as an
angel of light – 2 Cor 11:14)
Vs 13-14 - He’s going to cause
everyone on the earth to worship the first beast (antichrist). He’s going to
show signs and wonders and even cause fire to come down from heaven in order to
deceive and appear to work miracles.
He’s going to encourage the
people to make an image to the beast which had the deadly wound and yet lived.
Vs 15 – he’s going to cause that
image to live and speak. And everyone
will be ordered to worship that image.
If they don’t, they’ll be killed.
Vs 16 – and he causeth (maketh)
ALL both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond to receive a MARK in
their right hand or in their foreheads:
**this Mark is a symbol/badge of
servitude (G5480)
Vs 17 – and that no man might
buy or sell, save he that had the MARK or the name of the beast or the
number of his name.
Vs 18 – Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the
number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six
hundred threescore and six.
WARNING AGAINST TAKING THE MARK
Rev 14:9 – And the third angel
followed them saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and
his image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand
Vs 10 – The same shall drink of
the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture in the cup of
his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Vs 11 – and the smoke of their
torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night,
who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his
name.
Vs 12 – Here is the
patience of THE SAINTS: here are they that keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 16 talks about the
plagues that will be upon those who receive the mark and worship his image –
leading up to the battle of Armageddon.
**God’s people will not suffer those plagues.
Many profess adamantly that they will NOT take the Mark. It will be easier said than done.
Peter also professed adamantly
that he would NOT deny the Lord Jesus and even boldly cut off a servant’s ear
when they came to arrest Jesus. He felt
boldness when Jesus was visible and by his side. But when he was alone and confronted about
being a follower of Jesus, he denied Jesus 3 times. (Mt 26:35, 51, 69-75)
That’s why Jesus admonished them
in the Garden of Gethsemane to WATCH (keep awake and be vigilant spiritually)
and PRAY so that you will not give in to the temptation to deny Him. (Mt
26:40-41)
You have to get to the place like
that early disciples who suffered horrendous persecution and torture…they loved
not their lives unto the death. (Rev 12:11)
This life is temporary. Where we spend eternity is forever.
The Fate of the beast, the false
prophet, and those who take the mark
Rev 19:20 – The beast and the
false prophet that worked miracles and deceived so many will be captured and
cast into the lake of fire along with those that received the mark of the beast
and worshipped the image.
GREAT TRIBULATION
There are no Scriptures that
contain the words “THE Great Tribulation”.
Here is a list of Scriptures concerning tribulation….
Matt 24:21 – then shall be great tribulation, such as was not
since the beginning…
Rev 2:22 – those that commit spiritual adultery with the great
harlot will be cast into great tribulation
Rev 7:14 – describes a multitude of saints who came out of
great tribulation
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 gives
us comfort…
Vs 13-15 admonish us that we
don’t have to mourn as others mourn. If we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, we need to also believe that we’ll see them again when Jesus comes back
for His Church.
Vs 16 – For the Lord Himself
shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the Trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
Vs 17 – then we which are alive
and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Vs 18 – Wherefore, comfort one
another with these words.
No matter what transpires and
takes place in the end time, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus’ and hold on to
that Hope.
Satan bound
1,000 years
Rev
20:1-3 – satan will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years
where he will not be able to deceive anyone during that time. After that, it
says he will be loosed a little season.
1000 year
millennial reign
Rev 20: 4
- …and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and
for the Word of God and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image,
neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands; and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Great White Throne Judgment - Rev 20:11-15
There
will be 2 Resurrections…
1st
will be a resurrection of the Dead in Christ (Saints who have died)
Revelation 20:4-6
Vs 4 -
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:
and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and
for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image,
neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Vs 5 -
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the FIRST
RESURRECTION.
Vs 6 -
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with Him a thousand years.
The 1st
RESURRECTION and the Rapture occur simultaneously…
1
Thessalonians 4:16-17
Vs 16 -
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the Trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first:
Vs 17 -
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever with the Lord.
2nd
resurrection will be of the wicked after the millennial reign.
Revelation
20:11-15
Vs 11 –
And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the
earth and heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Vs 12 –
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were
opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things
which were written in the books, according to their works.
Vs 13 –
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up
the dead which were in them: and they were judged out of every man according to
their works.
Vs 14 –
and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. THIS is the SECOND DEATH. Vs 15 – And whosoever was not found written
in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
For more
information on End Time Prophecies:
Endtime.com
– Bro Irvin Baxter and Bro Dave Robbins (also Facebook)
KenRaggio.com
(also on FB, youtube, and others)
