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End Times Analysis
We follow the news and information around the world and provide an analysis of the times.
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Are we living in the end times?
That is a question many have been asking for thousands of years. Ever since Jesus talked about the end of the age when he was ministering on Earth, people have wanted to know when He would come back. Jesus did give us signs of the times of which we could be aware. In addition, other places in the Bible give us information about what the end will be like.
You can read the section below about how each topic in the news categories are relevant to signs that the end times are near. But are we in fact in the end now? Many people think we are or are very close to the point where the seven-year tribulation will begin. This marks the very last seven years before Jesus’ second coming and the end of the age when the final battle between God and Satan happens and God defeats Satan and brings about real peace.
One thing seems clear, we are not in that seven-year period yet. We know this because a seven-year peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel marks the beginning of the seven-year tribulation. How close are we to that time? No one really knows for sure but it seems that the stage is beginning. When Israel became a country again in 1948, it fulfilled a prophecy Ezekiel gave about the valley of dry bones coming to life. Many people think that was the starting point before things would really start happening and that the generation that saw that happen would not pass away before the end came.
What are the end times?
The period of time on earth right before Jesus returns. There is no exact time frame except the last seven years is a period of tribulation which many believe will be marked by a confirmation of a seven-year peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel.
What is the tribulation?
The seven-year tribulation is a time of great distress on the earth worse than anything that has ever happened. Many people will die because of many disasters. The Antichrist will be fully engaged in ruling the world and he will eventually break his peace treaty with Israel half way through the seven years. The last three and a half years will be worse than the first.
Can we know the identity of the Antichrist?
The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 2, "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction" It seems that we will know the identity of the Antichrist at some point. I believe the Antichrist will be revealed at some point. Can we know who he is before he is revealed? We can look and see if anyone fits the description but it may be difficult to know for sure.
What about all those dates people have set?
People have set dates for a long time and they have all been wrong. Jesus said in Mark 13 that no one knows the day or the hour of His return. Some point out that it says, “no one knows,” not “no one can know.” Others say this is a reference to the Feast of Trumpets which no one knew when it started because it depended upon the sighting of the new moon. In 1 Thesalonians 5 you find the following verses "Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief." I think it is best not to set any specific dates but to be ready, because God's word says that believers will not be surprised like a thief in the night.
Jesus did give us things to watch for, so we can know when the time is getting close. We may not know the exact date but we will know when it is near.
Can we really know anything more about the end times from news headlines?
Many headlines and related news stories just show the increase of birth pangs, while others point to specific things that people think are the beginning of something that is directly end time related. If a news story were to appear that talked about the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem that would be a prophecy being directly fulfilled. However, since that has not happened, sometimes we may post stories that talk about groups that are working on things such as the clothing needed for the priests to wear while performing their duties in the temple. This is something that is and has happened and these stories point to prophecies that may soon be fulfilled.
Headlines about earthquakes point to the possible increase in birth pangs. This is a fulfillment of prophecy, if things truly are getting worse but the individual quake itself may not have any other meaning.
Is there a prophecy that we need to watch for next?
The most likely next major prophecy to be fulfilled is the peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel. When this happens we will know that we are indeed in the end times and that the one who confirms the covenant is the Antichrist. One important questions is however, what does confirm mean in this context?
What is the rapture?
The term rapture refers to the catching away of the church to be with God. First the dead and then those that are alive and part of the body of Christ will be caught up to be with God.
Will the end times be like we see and read in movies and books?
To some degree it may be, but it depends on the movie or book. There are many different interpretations of the many events that will be part of the tribulation. While some events may have a lot of people interpreting them the same way, many people or denominations see other events very differently. No one person may have it all right, but the tribulation itself should be recognizable by the elect (true believers and followers of Jesus.)
Do all Christians believe in the end times?
Most Christians seem to believe in some version of the end times. But there are probably some who don’t or at the very least see the whole end time period very differently than many Christians. A good example is those who believe in Preterism.
Do I really need to even worry about any of this end times stuff and end time prophecies?
God put the prophecies in the Bible for us, so it is important. Much of the Bible talks about prophecy. A lot of it is prophecy already fulfilled, but a lot of it also deals with prophecy yet to be fulfilled. It was important for those who lived before Jesus’ first coming to know that He was coming and the details of His coming. It is also important that we know that Jesus is coming again and we should learn what the Bible has to say about it and pursue understanding.
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