End Times Forecast

Humanists believe that this earth and humanity will continue to exist forever on its own if we just do certain things and stop doing other things. Searches have been going on for centuries for that elusive fountain of youth so that humanity doesn’t have to face its own mortality. These and many other pursuits like them, must have at least two basic assumptions; that there is no God Who knows the end of history and that mankind is intrinsically good and can choose our own history.

I’m not sure how these individuals don’t recognize that everything around us points to the reality that humanity is getting worse. We have groups that are promoting anarchy and violence to achieve their own idea of tolerance and peace. Thankfully, as long as the church exists on this earth, the Holy Spirit will keep evil from running rampant. However, once the rapture of the church occurs, the Holy Spirit will no longer restrain evil, which we read in . further informs us that there are demons that are in hell right now that Satan will have permission to release who will do everything they can against God.

We must also understand that the Great Tribulation Period is the time in which God’s wrath is going to be dealt out for sin and the rejection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This information is found primarily in Revelation, as well as , Thessalonians, and many Old Testament prophecies.

Luke 21:20–38 NASB95

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. “So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.

We know that this will all take place because God says it will. Yet, many might wonder why it is important that we understand this if the church is going to be raptured beforehand. I believe this makes the mission of the church that much more imperative.

We want to live every day for the glory of Christ so that others might experience salvation through Him.

Ahead Is Desolation - 21:20-24

These verses seem to be where Jesus is speaking specifically to those present about a very near event, as well as a distant event. Jesus is informing them that Jerusalem is going to be destroyed. This first event is the one which took place in A.D. 70. However, there is a dualistic perspective here. For not every prophecy, which Jesus alludes to in verse 22, was fulfilled by that time. God’s wrath was not poured out in vengeance completely at this point. In fact, the days of vengeance, are from the Old Testament understanding, as presented by the prophets which relate to the judgment End Times or the Day of the Lord.

Yet, there are many things which do relate to the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus is speaking to the people in warning them to not stay in Jerusalem, thinking that it was a place of protection and safety. This same mistake was made when the Babylonians captured and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C. They thought that there was a supernatural, almost superstitious safety because the temple was there; that God would surely not destroy the religious epicenter of all Jewish life. They were wrong then, as they refused to listen to the prophets and repent. Jesus is giving the current generation the opportunity to not be destroyed by telling them to get out and stay far away from Jerusalem. Fortunately, there were those who did listen to Jesus when the Roman armies approached Jerusalem. The majority of those who fled were Christians who remembered what Jesus had said. And as we see in Verse 23, it will be incredibly difficult on those who are pregnant and nursing babies, for they will not be able to pick up and run as others would.

Again, there is that dualistic understanding that refers to the End Times. Much of what was said to flee the city and the hardships on those pregnant and nursing will be true then, as well.

The times of the Gentiles, in verse 24, is commonly known as the time period from when the Babylonians launched their first attack against Jerusalem until the time when Jesus Christ comes to set up His Kingdom on this earth and restores the city. This is found in and . Sadly, historian verify how accurate Jesus was, for Jerusalem was decimated. If any people survived, they were captured and sent all over the world.

We know that historically Jerusalem has been the center of great battles for possession. In A.D. 132, an individual who claimed to be the Messiah, led a revolt, which failed miserably. The emperor of Rome during that time made a point of turning Jerusalem into a pagan city and even renamed it. He also placed a shrine to the pagan god Jupiter right where the temple had been. In the 4th century, Jerusalem came under Christian control. Then three centuries later, the Muslims fought and captured Jerusalem. They built the Dome of the Rock on top of where the temple had stood which Herod had built; the one which the people in were so admiring. Even today, the battle rages on as to who truly is in control of Jerusalem.

There is much agreement and disagreement about the End Times as it relates to Jerusalem and Israel. I would be somewhat presumptuous and arrogant if I told you that I have a clear understanding of how everything ties together. All I can share is what the Bible makes clear and certain beyond a shadow of a doubt. But I also want to encourage each of us by reminding us that God is most certainly active and moving in a powerful manner. We know that Christianity comprised mostly of those who were of Jewish background in the early church. However, by the second generation of Christians, it become a predominantly Gentile make-up. Yet, today we are reading and seeing amazing miracles as Jewish Evangelism is reaping large numbers of believers in the harvest. This is happening in the last 30 years or so, and is continuing even more powerfully. It appears that even though the world seems to be getting worse, and it is and will continue to worsen, the Spirit of God is alive and active and seems to be making preparation for the End.

But what about the specifics about the Great Tribulation and then Christ’s second coming?

Approaching Is Tribulation - 21:25-28

Most commentators agree that this section is dealing with the last half of the Tribulation period. Of course, we remember that immediately following this, Jesus Christ returns to the earth. In the last half of the Great Tribulation, this will be a time that is beyond anything the world has ever seen in relation to horribleness and evil and torture. Not only will there continue to be persecution for those who turn to Jesus as Lord and Savior, but the unbelieving world is going to experience judgment from God in the form of catastrophes and events that defy the imagination. We understand that this type of thing has been happening, though much milder, for centuries and is getting worse daily. To use a word that seems to be getting a lot of traction lately in many articles and reports, the horrific things which are going to be happening will take place in epic fashion.

For example, as we look at other passages in the Bible, we know that the world will be totally immersed in complete darkness. We know that there will be fire from heaven, among multiple other things that defy logic and explanation from a human perspective. We don’t have to understand them or explain how this all will come to play. It has been promised and it will happen. If you spend some time in Isaiah and Joel and Ezekiel, along with other prophets, you will see a devastating picture of what is going to happen.

Verses 25-26 shows how overwhelming this will be to all humanity. You get the very strong impression that for all the bravado that humanity attempts to parade, there’s going to be a loud, collective “oh, my” when this happens. One commentator suggested that the wording here, dismay . . . perplexity . . . fainting from fear . . . , is best explained by the phrase that the people will be scared to death.

The interesting thing is that according to the Bible, the world will fully understand that this is God’s wrath. They will have already heard about this from so many sources (the 144,000 witnesses, the two amazing evangelists, even angels). However, they will still reject Jesus and continue to blaspheme Him. Then according to verse 27, they will see the ultimate sign in that Jesus Himself will be coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And what an incredible entrance that will be!

Yet, we notice in verse 28, an incredible encouragement for those who are alive during this terrible time and have placed their faith and hope in Jesus Christ for salvation. . . . straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Finally, we notice in verse 28, an incredible encouragement for those who are alive during this terrible time and have placed their faith and hope in Jesus Christ for salvation. . . . straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. The reward is at hand.

How will the world know of the imminent return of Jesus, besides how horrible things are and how much worse they are becoming?

Accuracy In Observation - 21:29-33

Even though we may not understand clearly all the details about the second coming of Jesus Christ, we cannot ignore it. You see, everything finds its conclusion in that great upcoming event. Everything which we do is done looking forward to being forever with Jesus and experiencing the fulfillment of His promises.

Once again, our Savior shares a parable that is simple and easy to understand by the disciples. Jesus reminds the people of the signs that they recognize even now. Signs from nature signal the coming of summer. What we see now gives insight into what we can expect in the future. Thus, in the realm of the End Times, there are signs that should make it obvious that the second coming is near.

Thus, in the realm of the End Times, there are signs that should make it obvious that the second coming is near.

The phrase in verse 32, this generation, is not referring to the current listeners. There are various theories that sound somewhat good if one avoids dealing with the whole context of the Bible. There are also those who suggest that the church will still be here during the Great Tribulation, or at least the first half of it. However, without going into a great deal of discussion, it seems quite clear from , , , and other passages that the church is not involved in the Great Tribulation, or the outpouring of God’s wrath upon unbelievers. In the context, it is referring to the generation that is alive during that Great Tribulation period. It would seem to refer to all those saved after the church is raptured; those saved during the Tribulation Period.

God’s Word is permanent and enduring. The heavens and earth are temporary. Nothing can change God’s Word.

So, what about the people who are here currently or those in Jesus time? What about those who are on this planet before the Tribulation Period begins?

Avoid the Distractions - 21:34-36

This first part in verse 34 would appear to be the rapture of the church. That would make sense as this will be a sign that the second coming is near. Jesus states in the warning so that on that day [it] will not come on you suddenly like a trap . . . In addition, later He states that they might escape all these things that are about to take place . . . Since the day comes without signs and announcements, which there are none before the rapture, it would require vigilance. It would appear that the operative thought might be to be ready, or as Jesus states, Be on Guard . . . Keep on the alert at all times . . . Now for the follower of Jesus Christ, knowing that this could take place at any time, which means that the church will be raptured, it causes a sense of urgency. We cannot afford to be distracted by the cares of this world or the pursuit of materialism. We must have a mindset of impacting as many people as possible for the cause of Jesus Christ. A true Christian will not live recklessly.

I’m not suggesting that we neglect our normal responsibilities, for that would contradict the Bible. However, I believe that our hearts and minds need to be more heaven-centered than weighed down with the stuff of this world. We should not waste our time on creating or causing drama and living for that. We should not waste our time giving all kinds of energy and emotion to that which fades away and is temporal. It is interesting how Jesus used the words dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life to describe what should not control us. In fact, dissipation describes someone with a terrible hangover. Most people don’t set out to get so plastered that they experience lack of clarity of memory and an excruciating painful hangover. They start out by simply not being careful and get caught up in the moment and suddenly find themselves captured by it.

John MacArthur offers some very insightful comments: the church today, often abandoning the truth of judgment and hell, is losing its effectiveness in evangelism. Not because people do not talk about Jesus and salvation, but because there is a tendency within evangelicalism to affirm in the name of love and tolerance that anyone who professes even a vague belief in God or Jesus Christ is headed to heaven.

MacArthur, John. MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) (Kindle Locations 27468-27469). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

MacArthur, John. MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) (Kindle Locations 27466-27468). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

My friends, do not take the teachings of Christ in any area lightly. One day, we will see Jesus face-to-face.

Conclusion

Jesus knew His time on this earth was short. Jesus knew that the Father’s will would be accomplished. He knew the frailty and futility of humanity. The message had to be presented so that nobody would have an excuse. Everybody would have the opportunity to receive salvation according to God’s perfect plan, or to reject it to their own condemnation.

There is great encouragement for the true believer in Jesus Christ in the fact that our salvation is secure in Jesus. We know that throughout history and will continue, that there are many who will renounce their faith because they were merely professing Christians. As some state: they professed Jesus, but did not possess Jesus. However, the true follower of Jesus Christ, the one who has been truly born again, will persevere and be preserved.

We want to live every day for the glory of Christ so that others might experience salvation through Him. Our message to those who are unsaved ought to sound similar to what Isaiah shared in chapter 55.

Isaiah 55:6–7 NASB95

Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Is there a Scripture which seems to clearly summarize what I believe Jesus was sharing? I believe Peter has that. Let me close with a passage from the writings of Peter in :

2 Peter 3:11–18 NASB95

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.