March 18, 2020 – Click here to listen
Some people are saying that the virus, the stock market crash, and forced isolation are evidence that the End of Time is upon us. Not true! We must look to Israel as it is the key to the prophecies concerning the End Times to be fulfilled.
First it might prove helpful to understand what is meant by End Times according to the Bible. It is that time when Jesus returns to earth, believers will be raptured into heaven, and then those left behind will suffer as the world has never seen for seven horrible years of one calamity after another in a period referred to as the “tribulation'”. Revelation 6:8 points out that as we draw near deaths will occur “by sword, famine, and plague.” In Luke 21:11 “There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Albeit much of that is occurring, however, all of the prophecies must be fulfilled before Christ comes back. Israel is God’s prophetic timeclock and we must observe that country closely in order to determine approximately when Jesus will return. The most glaring omission of fulfilled prophecy is that the ancient temple of Jerusalem has not been rebuilt and according to the Bible it must occur prior to the return of Jesus for His church. Additionally the Gospel must be preached to every nation which has not occurred but is getting closer.The Bible is clear that no one knows the exact time He will return, but Jesus did give us a few clues in Matthew 24:3-31. I usually don’t include long passages like this, but it is probably important at this time for people to understand what is to occur. Jesus said it would be akin to a woman bearing a child. As I think about this the birth pangs begin by being far apart but then start getting shorter and closer together as the time approaches.
This indicates to me that we better get ready because most of the prophecies have already occurred and time is short. Knowing this and that God doesn’t want anyone to perish, now is the time to testify to them about Jesus. I have emphasized several key words in the following passage and added comments where I felt led. I urge you to read this passage again right out of your own Bible. Also please understand that these are my interpretations. God in His mercy could delay His coming desiring more lost people to be saved; however we are told to be ready because it will happen as a thief coming at night when many will least expect it.
I pray that there will be a lesson learned from current events. This world and all that is in it is temporary. God’s love and mercy however will reign forever.
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
Matthew 24:3
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. (Persecution of Christians.) And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
The Great Tribulation – (After the Rapture)
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (This is the anti-Christ) (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the [elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.
“Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
The Coming of the Son of Man
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.