The End Times as God Reveals Them. Pt. 2 Christ Explained End Times Signs.

 We are going to listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ regarding future events and the end of the world. He is Jehovah in the flesh, the great "I Am" who spoke to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3). He is Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1) and knows the beginning and end of all things. 

It is also helpful to remember that end times prophecies have a strong Jewish component because the covenant promises of God and the ultimately deliverance that He promised, will come about. Thus, what the Jews are looking for is distinct from what the world wide church is looking for. 

What is the sign of the end of the world?

Matthew 24:3  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 

The disciples asked Jesus a question shortly before He went to the cross. His disciples wanted to know when the end of the world would come and what signs would accompany that event. The disciples understood that the Old Testament prophets looked to a future time when God Himself would come to this earth to rule all nations and to fulfill all promises. Jesus and the disciples were seated at the Mount of Olives which figures prominently at the return of Christ to this earth. 

Zechariah 14:3-4  Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4) And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 

Jesus' name means "Jehovah saves" and Jehovah is the subject of Zechariah's prophecy. When Christ physically returns, He will be coming to do battle against all the wicked nations and will destroy them with the words of His mouth (Revelation 19:11-19). The feet of Christ will touch on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and it will divide into four sections. 

False Christ's, Endless wars, Earthquakes.

Matthew 24:4-8  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8) All these are the beginning of sorrows. 

Here is the answer Jesus gave to His disciples. First, He warned them against being deceived because many are going to show up and claim that they are Christ and they will deceive many people. There are at least 45 men who have claimed to be Jesus Christ since the 1800's. This is nothing new and Jesus stated that this would occur. 

Second, Jesus said there will be many wars and rumors of wars. Nations will fight against each other, kingdoms will enter into battle and world history tells the tale of endless wars. Some wars are small, some are regional and two have had worldwide impact. Some wars are fought for control of valuable resources and some were religious wars. Some were racial wars involving "ethnic cleansing." 

None of us like war because it is always a terrible tragedy that affects many people. Yet, Jesus said do not be troubled because of endless wars. 

Third, Jesus said that in addition to false Christs and endless wars, the world would experience famines, pestilences and earthquakes in a wide variety of places. Famine often happens during war because farmland is ruined and many farmers are killed or unable to farm. Diseases like plagues will break out and many people will be infected. 

Earthquakes will also increase. 

I am sure we all agree that all of these things are terrible tragedies and there is an enormous cost in lost lives. But, it is going to get worse because Jesus said these cataclysmic events are the beginning of sorrows.

Martyrdom, Hatred and Betrayal. 

Matthew 24:9-10  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 

In the books of Daniel and Revelation we read about a 7 year period of tribulation. Jesus will refer to that tribulation period in part of His discourse. 

Jesus stated that trials and troubles will increase as we draw closer to the end times. Jesus told His disciples that they would be martyred and all of them except John, were martyred. Even today, Christians are being persecuted and killed for their faith in Christ. Jesus said there will be a lot of hatred around the world toward born again Christians. Many will be betrayed by family members or friends.  

False Prophets, Deception and  Cold Love. 

Matthew 24:11-13  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

False prophets will rise up and they are going to fool many people into believing false doctrine. The word "iniquity" refers to lawlessness with regard to God's law. Lawlessness is going to wash over the world and the love of many will wax cold. 

What does it mean that the love of many will wax cold? Love in this sense is speaking of a love of man for God because they recognize Him as Creator and Sustainer. Instead, the relentless spread of iniquity leads people to selfish attitudes, brotherly love will be replaced by suspicion and worldliness will replace dependence upon God. 

Next, Jesus said that those who endure unto the end will be saved. What group of people is He speaking of? In Revelation 7:1-8, we read that God stops the forces of nature until 144,000 people composed of 12,000 of each tribe of Israel, are sealed. After they are sealed, the tribulation experienced on earth resumes. It is this group of people who endure to the end of the tribulation period that Christ refers to. 

What about the church and all the born again? The church composed of all the born again in the world will be removed from the earth at the event called the "Rapture" (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). In Paul's second letter to the Thessalonica church he spoke about Christ coming as King, Judge in flaming fire to judge the nations which will happen after the 7 years of tribulation. If you compare both texts it is very clear that they are two distinct events. 

Worldwide Gospel Penetration.

Matthew 24:14  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. 

The end times is when God will fulfill all of the covenant promises made with Abraham, which includes saving the Gentiles. As the return of Christ draws closer, Jesus said that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world. The implication is that all nations will hear the glorious gospel at that time. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

When we speak of "End Times" we are referring to a time when there will be a rapid fulfillment of all prophecies that are not yet fulfilled. Nations will be judged, the earth will be consumed in fiery judgment and the people of God will behold their Redeemer. 

When we speak of "End Times" we are also speaking of that time when God will pour out His wrath on a world that rejected salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It will be a judgment that impacts the entire world, all nations and all lands. 

The "End Times" will be a collision of Divine Judgment on sinners and the prophesied physical destruction of the earth and heavens. 

The "End Times" is when God seals witnesses to preach the gospel in every nation and who will suffer persecutions, betrayal and martyrdom. The love of many will wax cold toward God and hot toward the culture. False prophets and false Christs will abound.

God told us after the End Times that He will create a new heaven and a new earth and His Kingdom will universally established. Therefore, the "End Times" are also a time of hope coming to fruition as God fulfills all His promises.  

May the Lord remind us of the work that He wants us to do this day and may our love for Him grow.

Bob