The End is Near
“The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.” - 1 Peter 4:7 NLT
So Just how close are we to the End Times? That’s a question that was asked Jesus. Let’s take a look at it in Mark 13:3-5 NKJV:
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” The first thing that stands out in this passage is that only four of the disciples were present and they asked Him privately. Details given have significance. These were the disciples that were closest to Jesus, just as we need to be. They were the ones that asked and got the answer directly from Jesus. The others surely must have found out as well since what follows in this account is told also in Matthew and Luke. It was not announced publicly and only those four disciples seeking the answer heard it from Jesus.
“And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you."”
The very first thing in His response was warning them not to be deceived. This is extremely important because He made this point before answering their question. Therefore we must be very careful not to be deceived. We can do this by always asking God about the things we hear and see about the End times and discern through the Holy Spirit before we receive them.
Jesus goes on to give information about what will happen from that time that they were in until His final return with both general and specific events that would take place. Then He continues with a parable about a fig tree, where He answers the second question, “what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Mark 13:28-30 NKJV
Almost all prophecy teachers believe that the fig tree represents Israel. (See Joel 1:6-7) It is the only nation to cease from existing and then be reestablished, which happened in one day as foretold in the Bible on May 14th, 1948. (See Isaiah 66:7-8, Ezekiel 37:22) Therefore the youngest people from that generation (alive during the rebirth of Israel) are now 75 years old. Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”
So how long until that generation passes? Psalms 90:10-13 says “The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.”
Wow! From this passage we see lives are between 70-80 years, then we ‘fly away’ (Rapture?). When we read it, we are actually asking God to teach us ‘to number our days’ and ‘gain a heart of wisdom’. This is followed by asking Him 'how long?' (is it until His return) and to ‘have compassion on Your servants.’ Could it be that this give us the answer to the timing of His return? If those who were alive when Israel was reborn are now 75 (as of 2023) and the range is to 80, that would put us very close! They would turn 80 in 2028.
Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” What things? As previously mentioned, Jesus gives a timeline just before the parable and it ends with these verses in Mark 13:26-27 NKJV: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” This is believed to be near the midpoint of the tribulation or shortly after, just before the wrath of God is poured out. Calculating back approximately 2-3 years would put the pre-tribulation rapture at or before 2026! Some people believe this event to be the pre-tribulation rapture, but it can’t be due to the sequential events that happen before it. We will discuss this in The Rapture is Conditional.
“The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.” - 1 Peter 4:7 NLT
So Just how close are we to the End Times? That’s a question that was asked Jesus. Let’s take a look at it in Mark 13:3-5 NKJV:
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” The first thing that stands out in this passage is that only four of the disciples were present and they asked Him privately. Details given have significance. These were the disciples that were closest to Jesus, just as we need to be. They were the ones that asked and got the answer directly from Jesus. The others surely must have found out as well since what follows in this account is told also in Matthew and Luke. It was not announced publicly and only those four disciples seeking the answer heard it from Jesus.
“And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you."”
The very first thing in His response was warning them not to be deceived. This is extremely important because He made this point before answering their question. Therefore we must be very careful not to be deceived. We can do this by always asking God about the things we hear and see about the End times and discern through the Holy Spirit before we receive them.
Jesus goes on to give information about what will happen from that time that they were in until His final return with both general and specific events that would take place. Then He continues with a parable about a fig tree, where He answers the second question, “what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Mark 13:28-30 NKJV
Almost all prophecy teachers believe that the fig tree represents Israel. (See Joel 1:6-7) It is the only nation to cease from existing and then be reestablished, which happened in one day as foretold in the Bible on May 14th, 1948. (See Isaiah 66:7-8, Ezekiel 37:22) Therefore the youngest people from that generation (alive during the rebirth of Israel) are now 75 years old. Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”
So how long until that generation passes? Psalms 90:10-13 says “The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.”
Wow! From this passage we see lives are between 70-80 years, then we ‘fly away’ (Rapture?). When we read it, we are actually asking God to teach us ‘to number our days’ and ‘gain a heart of wisdom’. This is followed by asking Him 'how long?' (is it until His return) and to ‘have compassion on Your servants.’ Could it be that this give us the answer to the timing of His return? If those who were alive when Israel was reborn are now 75 (as of 2023) and the range is to 80, that would put us very close! They would turn 80 in 2028.
Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” What things? As previously mentioned, Jesus gives a timeline just before the parable and it ends with these verses in Mark 13:26-27 NKJV: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” This is believed to be near the midpoint of the tribulation or shortly after, just before the wrath of God is poured out. Calculating back approximately 2-3 years would put the pre-tribulation rapture at or before 2026! Some people believe this event to be the pre-tribulation rapture, but it can’t be due to the sequential events that happen before it. We will discuss this in The Rapture is Conditional.
We know that Jesus is the greatest prophet that ever lived and we should take what He tells us very seriously. But what if God the Father also revealed to us hidden prophecy regarding the timing of the End Times, how would that be for a confirmation? This is more deeply hidden, but if you follow along with the Holy Sprit guiding, you will be amazed.
Let’s see what God said through the prophet Amos in 3:7. "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” In Numbers 23:19 it is written “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” This tells us that whatever God says is true and that He does nothing ‘unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets’. We can conclude that the End will not come without His prophets knowing.
In Isaiah 46:9-10 we read “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’”. We learn that God declared the end from the beginning. 2 Peter 3:8 tells us “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” For God 1 day = 1,000 years. The whole chapter is prophetic and talks about the end times. This is also found in Psalms 90:4. We also know from Revelation 20:6 that there will be a coming period of 1000 years where Jesus will rule. “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4
Therefore if God has declared the end from the beginning, we should be able look to the beginning of the Bible and decipher the end. The Creation account in Genesis gives us the clues that we need. God made everything is six days and then rested on the seventh. This is where we get out 7 day week from. This pattern exist all over the world, six days of work and then a day of rest.
The same pattern is repeated for millennial days, each being 1000 years. Hidden in each creation day is a millennial day prophecy of the main event that would happen during that one thousand day period. The last millennial day (end) is the Sabbath where Jesus will rule for 1000 years. By the way, there's 7 colors in the rainbow!
Day 1: “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:3-4 In the first millennial day (~4000BC-3000BC) God separate good from evil, just as he did light from darkness, when Adam and Eve signed and man became separated from God.
Day 2: “Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.” Genesis 1:9 The Flood occurred in the second millennial day (~3000-2000BC). All life was destroyed because of sin except for Noah and his family who were ‘raised up’ above the waters, which is a picture of the coming rapture.
Day 3: “Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.” Genesis 1:11 The third millennial day (~2000-1000BC) Abraham’s seed brought forth God’s chosen people through the covenant that was made with him.
Day 4: “Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.” Genesis 1:16a Jesus and John the Baptist are the greater and lesser light that would bring forth eternal life at the end of the fourth millennial day (~1000BC - Christ) See also 1 John 1-9.
Day 5: “Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”” Genesis 1:20 The fifth millennial day (~Christ -1000AD) would produce the abundance of Christians who are living water.
Day 6: “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis 1:28 The sixth and current millennial day (~1000-2000AD) has seen man domination over everything on earth through discovery and technology.
Day 7: “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” Genesis 2:2 The final millennial day will be when Jesus returns to the earth and rules for 1000 years.
This seven day pattern is repeated again in years in Leviticus 25:1-10 where God’s chosen people are to plant and harvest for 6 years, then let the land rest on the seventh year.
Let’s see what God said through the prophet Amos in 3:7. "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” In Numbers 23:19 it is written “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” This tells us that whatever God says is true and that He does nothing ‘unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets’. We can conclude that the End will not come without His prophets knowing.
In Isaiah 46:9-10 we read “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’”. We learn that God declared the end from the beginning. 2 Peter 3:8 tells us “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” For God 1 day = 1,000 years. The whole chapter is prophetic and talks about the end times. This is also found in Psalms 90:4. We also know from Revelation 20:6 that there will be a coming period of 1000 years where Jesus will rule. “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4
Therefore if God has declared the end from the beginning, we should be able look to the beginning of the Bible and decipher the end. The Creation account in Genesis gives us the clues that we need. God made everything is six days and then rested on the seventh. This is where we get out 7 day week from. This pattern exist all over the world, six days of work and then a day of rest.
The same pattern is repeated for millennial days, each being 1000 years. Hidden in each creation day is a millennial day prophecy of the main event that would happen during that one thousand day period. The last millennial day (end) is the Sabbath where Jesus will rule for 1000 years. By the way, there's 7 colors in the rainbow!
Day 1: “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:3-4 In the first millennial day (~4000BC-3000BC) God separate good from evil, just as he did light from darkness, when Adam and Eve signed and man became separated from God.
Day 2: “Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.” Genesis 1:9 The Flood occurred in the second millennial day (~3000-2000BC). All life was destroyed because of sin except for Noah and his family who were ‘raised up’ above the waters, which is a picture of the coming rapture.
Day 3: “Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.” Genesis 1:11 The third millennial day (~2000-1000BC) Abraham’s seed brought forth God’s chosen people through the covenant that was made with him.
Day 4: “Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.” Genesis 1:16a Jesus and John the Baptist are the greater and lesser light that would bring forth eternal life at the end of the fourth millennial day (~1000BC - Christ) See also 1 John 1-9.
Day 5: “Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”” Genesis 1:20 The fifth millennial day (~Christ -1000AD) would produce the abundance of Christians who are living water.
Day 6: “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis 1:28 The sixth and current millennial day (~1000-2000AD) has seen man domination over everything on earth through discovery and technology.
Day 7: “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” Genesis 2:2 The final millennial day will be when Jesus returns to the earth and rules for 1000 years.
This seven day pattern is repeated again in years in Leviticus 25:1-10 where God’s chosen people are to plant and harvest for 6 years, then let the land rest on the seventh year.
Remember when God gave the Israelites mana in the dessert? The instructions were to gather it for six days and then rest on the seventh. "Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.” Exodus 16:26
In Matthew 17:1 we are told “Now after six days (6000 years) Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” These are the two witnesses of the Tribulation mentioned in Revelation 11:1-12. The previous two verse talk about the Rapture! “For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” Matthew 16:27-28 NLT
Now let’s examine some more scriptures with the revelation that Jesus died on the 4th millennial day and will return after 3 days on the 7th (just like He did when He was here the first time, but this time we are also risen).
All the verses that prophesied the resurrection of Jesus have a double prophetic meaning of literally 3 days but also His return and our resurrection to eternal life in 3 millennial days (3000 years) from His death on the cross. Furthermore, the seven day millennial (7,000 year) plan of God is not something new. The Jews have always understood this. That is why their calendar starts at the first day of creation, not on the birth of Jesus. (Although their calendar is off) Every week is a rehearsal and a reminder of Jesus earthly rule on day 7, their Shabbat (Sabbath day).
Even here in the United States the millennial day timeline was taught as basic Bible knowledge up until the year 2000. Why was it stopped? Because everyone thought that the year 2000 was the end of the 6th millennial day and Jesus hasn’t come back yet. What they didn’t consider is that the last event of the 6th millennial day was not Jesus’ birth, but His death on the cross. That's when the church age really began. If Jesus follows the pattern of when He came the first time, His return will be exactly on the start of the third (millennial) day begins after his death.
That means however that the millennial days are misaligned because if Jesus death is the endpoint of the 4th millennium, the 33 years of His life must also be included. How can we explain the difference? Here it gets a little more difficult to follow along, but here are two possibilities:
Most Bible scholars are in agreement that early Biblical years were measured as 360 years, based on the rotation of the moon (lesser light). That changes after the Jewish nation left Egypt in 1313 BC in Exodus 12:2 “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.” The year of Creation can be calculated from genealogies and events in the Bible which is 4004 BC. Solar years consist of 365.2425 days and are based on the sun (greater light). 4004-1313=2691 days based on moon. We can convert those to solar days using 360/365.2425=.9856 as the conversion factor, which is 2691x.9856=2652 solar years. 2652 converted solar years from before captivity +1313 of time BC in our calendar =3965. Add to that the years AD 2023 equals 5988, the number of solar years up until our present year. How far are we until the end of the sixth millennial day? 6000-5988=12 years. 2023+12=3035. Now if we subtract the 7 years of the tribulation, that brings us to the year 2028.
The second possibility that could cause the number of years to be off is that events in the Bible occurred at different times of the year. For example, if a patriarch lived 120 years, it is doubtful that they died exactly on their birthday. Likewise if a king reigned 40 years, it probably didn’t end at the exact day.
The more accurate way would to be to calculate back from the time that the Millennial Reign would begin. The crucification of Jesus which mark the end of death and sin is most likely to have marked end point of the 4th millennial day and exactly 2000 years later, at the start of the 3rd millennial day and 6000th year, Jesus 1000 year reign would begin. If Jesus was born at year zero on our calendar, Jesus died at 33 +2000 = 2033 -7 year tribulation = 2026.
In Matthew 17:1 we are told “Now after six days (6000 years) Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” These are the two witnesses of the Tribulation mentioned in Revelation 11:1-12. The previous two verse talk about the Rapture! “For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” Matthew 16:27-28 NLT
Now let’s examine some more scriptures with the revelation that Jesus died on the 4th millennial day and will return after 3 days on the 7th (just like He did when He was here the first time, but this time we are also risen).
- After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. Hosea 6:2
- And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Exodus 19:11
- Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Exodus 19:16
- “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord , the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. II Kings 20:5
- On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee John 2:1
- and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up. Matthew 17:23
- God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, Acts 10:40
All the verses that prophesied the resurrection of Jesus have a double prophetic meaning of literally 3 days but also His return and our resurrection to eternal life in 3 millennial days (3000 years) from His death on the cross. Furthermore, the seven day millennial (7,000 year) plan of God is not something new. The Jews have always understood this. That is why their calendar starts at the first day of creation, not on the birth of Jesus. (Although their calendar is off) Every week is a rehearsal and a reminder of Jesus earthly rule on day 7, their Shabbat (Sabbath day).
Even here in the United States the millennial day timeline was taught as basic Bible knowledge up until the year 2000. Why was it stopped? Because everyone thought that the year 2000 was the end of the 6th millennial day and Jesus hasn’t come back yet. What they didn’t consider is that the last event of the 6th millennial day was not Jesus’ birth, but His death on the cross. That's when the church age really began. If Jesus follows the pattern of when He came the first time, His return will be exactly on the start of the third (millennial) day begins after his death.
That means however that the millennial days are misaligned because if Jesus death is the endpoint of the 4th millennium, the 33 years of His life must also be included. How can we explain the difference? Here it gets a little more difficult to follow along, but here are two possibilities:
Most Bible scholars are in agreement that early Biblical years were measured as 360 years, based on the rotation of the moon (lesser light). That changes after the Jewish nation left Egypt in 1313 BC in Exodus 12:2 “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.” The year of Creation can be calculated from genealogies and events in the Bible which is 4004 BC. Solar years consist of 365.2425 days and are based on the sun (greater light). 4004-1313=2691 days based on moon. We can convert those to solar days using 360/365.2425=.9856 as the conversion factor, which is 2691x.9856=2652 solar years. 2652 converted solar years from before captivity +1313 of time BC in our calendar =3965. Add to that the years AD 2023 equals 5988, the number of solar years up until our present year. How far are we until the end of the sixth millennial day? 6000-5988=12 years. 2023+12=3035. Now if we subtract the 7 years of the tribulation, that brings us to the year 2028.
The second possibility that could cause the number of years to be off is that events in the Bible occurred at different times of the year. For example, if a patriarch lived 120 years, it is doubtful that they died exactly on their birthday. Likewise if a king reigned 40 years, it probably didn’t end at the exact day.
The more accurate way would to be to calculate back from the time that the Millennial Reign would begin. The crucification of Jesus which mark the end of death and sin is most likely to have marked end point of the 4th millennial day and exactly 2000 years later, at the start of the 3rd millennial day and 6000th year, Jesus 1000 year reign would begin. If Jesus was born at year zero on our calendar, Jesus died at 33 +2000 = 2033 -7 year tribulation = 2026.
It would appear that Jesus’ return is much closer than most people are aware of. Let’s continue to look at more scripture supporting this theory. After the Parable of the Fig Tree that we discussed above Jesus continues: “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 24:37-39 NLT Here we have another hidden reference to the rapture. Noah was “taken up” above the flood that destroyed the Earth. So will we be, those who know Jesus.
He then clarifies: “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. (Not all will be taken up) So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:40-51 NLT
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NLT
Paul also told us what was going to happen in the End Times. “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 NLT We see this happening all around us.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” Romans 1:18-32 NLT
Peter also warned us. “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created. They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.” 2 Peter 3:3-7 NLT
When Jesus came the first time, the church was caught completely off guard. They supposedly knew and studied the scriptures, yet they did not even recognize Jesus when He came. Worse yet, they crucified Him! So don’t rely on the church to alert you when He comes again. We can learn a lesson from the wisemen in the Christmas story. They were not in the religious system. Just like today, the world government was a mess and the people were looking for a leader to solve its problems. The wisemen were able to interpret the scriptures on their own and determine Christ’s arrival. They didn’t know the day or the hour. They followed the signs and were led. As they continued, it became clear only at the end.
There are many ‘wisemen’ today that are studying scripture and receiving divine revelation about the events unfolding completing Bible prophecy, some of which was not previously understood. God has given the scriptures for everyone to understand on their own. “Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:2-3 NKJV
Jesus says "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”