Jesus gave us a full review of things that would happen "before" the end of the age, what will trigger the end of the age and an overview of what happens during the Great Tribulation. This is covered in depth in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.
Recognizing the Signs
Are we able to recognize the signs? Believers are not supposed to be taken by surprise.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6: "You yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night... But you brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night or darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do but let us be alert and sober." HCSB
The letter to the Hebrews also referred to these signs, and proclaimed that upon seeing these signs, believers should encourage one another
when they see the day of judgment drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. HCSB
Signs We Are Very Close to the End of the Age
1. False Messiahs
It is important to remember Jesus directly prophesied this would happen. A web search of "list of Messiah claimants" will lead you to a Wikipedia page listing dozens of self declared saviors of the world. History is littered with kings, popes, emperors, dictators, and cult leaders who claimed to have divine mandates to lead their followers into some utopian future.
Matthew 24:23-25 “If anyone tells you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it! False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note: I have told you in advance. HCSB
Consider in the last century alone the personality cults of Mao Tze Tung, Ji Xi Ping, Josef Stalin, Adolph Hitler, V. I. Lennin, Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong Il, Sun Myong Moon, L. Ron Hubbard, and Pol Pot who have mislead millions and caused the slaughter of millions more.
What do all of these charismatic leaders have in common? They lead people away from the true Messiah and put their faith in false doctrines and
ideologies that are representative of anti-Christ.
2. The Rise of Humanism
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people
will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable,
slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,
traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! HCSB
3. Myths Rule People's Thought Patterns
Everyone does what is right "in their own eyes"
and cast off authority:
Psalm 2 Why
do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand,
and the rulers conspire together against
the Lord and His Anointed One: they
say “Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves
from their restraints.” HCSB
- The love of self is Humanism (or Narcissism) — the belief that mankind is worthy of worship and the final authority of all things. See: Statism.
- The love of pleasure is Hedonism - the belief that pain is the only real evil
- The love of money is Materialism.
These false beliefs all originate from the Father of Lies and should be avoided. Anything modern culture praises is suspect, and is likely in direct opposition to God. These philosophies are not held by 'fringe' groups. The predominant part of the world population -- even nominal Christians -- are influenced in ways by these false beliefs they may not even recognize.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. HCSB
Mankind is exceptionally gifted at self delusion; replacing the righteous wisdom of our Creator for moral philosophies that inevitably fail causing destruction in their path.
2 Timothy 4 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. HCSB
The world is rampaging toward a "one world government" and an ecumenical religion that has the sound and look of holiness, without the power of salvation of men's souls. Many twist the Scriptures to justify their immoral lifestyles, and ignore the full counsel of God. To them, the Scriptures are full of helpful suggestions, and Jesus was a great moral teacher, but not their Lord and Savior. People without firm moral and logical grounding will fall for any ridiculous teaching, and they cling to myths, catechisms, and traditions that do not have any power to save.
4. Israel is in the Promised Land
The key to when the "end of the beginning" of the "birth pangs" has come is summed up with the Parable of the Fig Tree. The Fig Tree is symbolic of the nation of Israel. Jesus explains to His disciples the meaning of the Parable:
Matthew 24:32-34 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near—at the door! I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. HCSB
We are to understand that when the land of Israel is repopulated with God's Chosen People, the end is very near - within the lifespan of one generation. Four signs given in the Old Testament prophecies can be seen to already be at least partially fulfilled.
Fulfilled Prophecies Concerning the End of the Age
1 - Return of the Chosen People to the Promised Land.
Isaiah
11:11-12 On that day the
Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover—from Assyria, Egypt,
Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the coasts and islands of the west—the
remnant of His people who survive. He
will lift up a banner for the nations and gather the
dispersed of Israel; He will collect the scattered of
Judah from the four corners of the earth. HCSB
2 - The re-establishment of Israel as a State: now a historical fact.
Isaiah 66:7-8 “Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, She delivered a male child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children. HCSB
3 - The Entire World Arrayed Against Israel
Zechariah 12:2 “Look, I will make Jerusalem a cup that causes staggering for the peoples who surround the city. The siege against Jerusalem will also involve Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who try to lift it will injure themselves severely when all the nations of the earth gather against her. HCSB
4 - And the last remaining piece in the puzzle for Israel today is the complete occupation of Jerusalem and the entirety of the original lands promised to Abraham.
Zechariah 8:3,8 The Lord says this:
“I will return to Zion and live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the
Faithful City, the mountain of the Lord of Hosts,
and the Holy Mountain.” I will bring them back to live
in Jerusalem. They will be My people, and I will be their faithful and
righteous God.” HCSB
As of the writing of this post, fulfillment of item 4 could be taking place today with the destruction of Hamas in Gaza. When will Hezbollah act -- resulting in their destruction -- to restore the northern territories of Asher, Dan and Naphtali? When will Jordan cede territory to restore Manasseh, Gad and Reubens homelands to the east? It may come as a surprise to us how quickly it happens....
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Scripture citations are from: Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) © 2009 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville TN
