The Last Days? Pt. 1

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With all that is going on in the world, people may not want to hear about the signs of the last days.  However, the Bible prophetically declares we can know the future.  We can know and recognize the signs of the coming of Jesus.

Have you ever expected a special guest for dinner?  Because you are anticipating the coming of that guest you prepare.  You get your house in order.  Let’s consider what the Bible has to say about the return of Jesus.

Some people asked, “Teacher, when will all this happen? How can we know when these things are about to take place?”

 Jesus replied:

Don’t be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, “I am Christ!” and “Now is the time!” But don’t follow them.  When you hear about wars and riots, don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn’t the end.

 Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other.  There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.  Luke 21:7-11

 Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won’t know what to do.  People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken. Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory.  When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free. Luke 21: 25-28

  No one knows the day or hour. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself     doesn’t know. Only the Father knows.  When the Son of Man appears, things will be just as they were when Noah lived.  People were eating, drinking, and getting married right up to the day that the flood came and Noah went into the big boat.  They didn’t know anything was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man appears.

 Two men will be in the same field, but only one will be taken. The other will be left.  Two women will be together grinding grain, but only one will be taken. The other will be left.  So be on your guard! You don’t know when your Lord will come.  Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in.  Always be ready! You don’t know when the Son of Man will come. Matt 24:36-44

While it is impossible for me to cover the entirety of Bible prophecy in this blog I do want to whet your appetite so you will search the scripture concerning the signs of the times.  Matthew 24-25 gives an entire account which I highly encourage you to read.

Most Bible prophecy has been fulfilled with absolute accuracy.  Much has been said about the end of the world as we know it.  Only the Bible has proved itself to be completely accurate.

The virgin birth of Jesus was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14. Micah 5:2 reveals His birthplace.  Psalm 16 declares His resurrection. However, the world and its systems are set up to not consider the coming of Jesus Christ.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…  2 Peter 1:19

Peter was there during Jesus’s ministry and was an actual eye witness of all Jesus did.

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 2 Peter 1:16

How do we know the apostles believed in Jesus and that He was real?  These men not only went on to preach Jesus but were willing to suffer a martyr’s death for what they believed.

Could they have lied?  Many would die for truth but do we really believe they endured horrific deaths for a lie they concocted?

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,  traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… 2 Tim 3:1-4

Paul is literally describing the times we live in today.  While I understand we want to be positive and speak positive words the truth is that according to the Bible things will get worse.  We live in a time where good is called evil and evil is called good.  Our world is out of control.  It’s becoming more Godless and vicious.  

In the book of Daniel, we find another sign pointing to the fact that the end is near….The rapid increase in knowledge.

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.  Dan 12:4

The phrase, knowledge shall increase, literally means a knowledge explosion.  Think about it.  From Adam and Eve to the 1900s there was very little growth in knowledge and inventions as compared to the present day.  But in the past 100 years, we have gone from horse and buggy to airplanes and rockets.  

Communication has exploded from smoke signals and messengers who ran miles to deliver a message to the ability to facetime.

Advances in science have redefined death.  There was a time that when you were dead you were dead.  Now we have terms like clinical death.

Knowledge has not created the spiritual utopia that many once thought it would.  Now we have brilliant barbarians.  The Nazis, filled with knowledge, murdered innocent Jewish babies. Knowledge without God produces intellectual barbarians.  The sinful nature of man will always find a way to imagine and create evil things.

We have developed from battles using swords and bows and arrows to now the potential to mass destruction using nuclear bombs.

The Bible even speaks of nuclear weapons.

And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem:

Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet,

Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets,

And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths. Zech 14:12

How could this possibly happen? What has not made sense in thousands of years is now finally making sense.  The H bomb can achieve 100 million degrees Fahrenheit in less than a second.  This is how flesh can melt before a body falls to the ground.

    Let’s consider the power of technology here.

 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.  And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Rev 11:9-10

This scripture is speaking of the two prophets that will come back from days of old and wreak havoc on the earth.  The whole world will view them at the same time.  It wasn’t that long ago that we could not understand how that could happen.  But now we can just pull out our cell phones and view live feeds all over the world.  Could technology actually be hastening the day of the Lord?

Let’s consider the signs.

 Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other.  There will be great earthquakes, and in many places, people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.         Luke 21:7-11

Earthquakes:  God uses earthquakes to get man’s attention. There was a time when a man could keep track and chart earthquakes.  Now they are happening so frequently it’s difficult to track them all.

   Famines:  Most of the world is starving.  In certain areas, there is simply not enough food.

    Pestilence:  Incurable diseases are flooding the earth in record numbers.

  But even with these signs we are not to be terrified but hopeful.  

For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess 4:16-18

Paul literally tells us to talk about the coming of Jesus.  To encourage one another with reminders that this world is not our home.

Be steadfast. Be immovable.  No matter what you see or hear stay faithful.  Live to please Jesus by working on a good relationship with Him.  Read and live the Bible.  Be a person of prayer and worship.

Be busy at the work of the Gospel.  

PRAY THIS

Father thank you that you have given us Your Word to help us to be ready for the coming of your Son.  You have kept no secrets or made it difficult for us.  Forgive us for our careless living and help us to have a sense of urgency.  Help us to stop wasting time.  Let the fear of the Lord be upon us and grant us, Your grace, to live in obedience to Your Word and Your Spirit.  In the name of Jesus.  

Amen.

MEDITATE ON THIS

For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess 4:16-18