“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36
Signs of the Times
As we reflect on the end time events, we recognize that the Bible shares various signs that indicate the coming of the end. These signs can be both alarming and fascinating, calling us to be vigilant and prepared. We see that Jesus Himself mentioned several occurrences that would foreshadow His return. It’s crucial for us to pay attention to these signs, as they help us remain aware of the events unfolding around us.
Matthew 24:6
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” – Matthew 24:6
Matthew 24:7
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” – Matthew 24:7
Luke 21:11
“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” – Luke 21:11
1 Timothy 4:1
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” – 1 Timothy 4:1
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14
The Return of Christ
One of the most important aspects of end time events is the anticipated return of our Lord Jesus Christ. This promise brings hope and excitement to our hearts, reminding us that we are not alone in this world. We should be living in anticipation, ready to welcome Him back with open arms. The Bible describes His return vividly, urging us to stay faithful and keep our eyes set on Him.
Acts 1:11
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11
1 Thessalonians 4:16
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” – Revelation 22:12
Matthew 25:31
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.” – Matthew 25:31
Revelation 1:7
“Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.” – Revelation 1:7
The Great Tribulation
The concept of the Great Tribulation is often daunting. This will be a time of unparalleled distress and suffering on the earth, affecting both believers and non-believers alike. While we pair the idea of tribulation with fear, we must also cling to our faith and trust in God’s sovereign plan. The Scriptures remind us of God’s presence during such trying times and encourage us not to lose heart.
Matthew 24:21
“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.” – Matthew 24:21
Revelation 7:14
“I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'” – Revelation 7:14
Mark 13:19
“For those days will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.” – Mark 13:19
Revelation 2:10
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” – Revelation 2:10
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
The Role of the Church
As the world draws closer to the end times, the Church is called to Action. We are not just bystanders; we are meant to be engaged in spreading the Good News and ministering to others. It becomes crucial during these times for us to strengthen our bond as a community of believers, encouraging each other and guiding others to Christ. Our responsible behavior can lead many to faith as we share the light of Christ amidst darkness.
Ephesians 5:27
“And to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” – Ephesians 5:27
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19
Colossians 4:5
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” – Colossians 4:5
2 Corinthians 5:20
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Ephesians 4:12
“To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” – Ephesians 4:12
The Final Judgment
Another central event within the end times is the Final Judgment. This will be a day of reckoning, where everyone will stand before God and give an account of their lives. Our actions, choices, and faith will become evident during this judgment, reminding us of the importance of living according to God’s will. Instead of fearing this moment, we should embrace it with confidence, knowing that we have trusted in Christ as our Savior.
Revelation 20:12
“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” – Revelation 20:12
Matthew 12:36
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” – Matthew 12:36
Romans 14:10
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” – Romans 14:10
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
The New Heaven and New Earth
Amidst the challenging discussions about end time events, there’s a refreshing promise of new beginnings. As believers, we can look forward to the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. This is a profound hope that God will restore all things, bringing about perfect peace and harmony. Our future home is described vividly in Scripture, reminding us that we have something beautiful to look forward to beyond the struggles we face today.
Revelation 21:1
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” – Revelation 21:1
Isaiah 65:17
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” – Isaiah 65:17
Revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
Isaiah 11:6
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” – Isaiah 11:6
Revelation 22:3
“No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” – Revelation 22:3
Final Thoughts
As we investigate the topic of end time events, we discover a blend of warnings and hope within the Bible. We see signs pointing to the return of Christ, reminders of the Great Tribulation, and the importance of our role within the Church. Each of these topics encourages us to focus on our relationship with God and to be bold in sharing our faith with others.
We are reminded that judgment is coming, yet we have the assurance of a new heaven and new earth to look forward to. Our journey through this life may be challenging, but we find comfort in knowing Christ has overcome the world. Let us strengthen one another in faith as we prepare for what lies ahead.
Let’s keep exploring the promises of God and discover more about significant events in Biblical prophecy, like Jesus returning and Jesus coming.