The Last Days: End of the Ages, #1

​​Chapter 1

​The early signs

​Do not be deceived

​Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you."

The above scripture, records the opening statement made by our Lord Jesus, when He taught us on the subject, of the end times. It is important to note, that there is only area recorded in the bible, that the Lord warned us not to be deceived about, and that is the subject of the end times. The reason that our Lord warns us in this area, is because this is the one area, where the saints can more easily, be deceived. And I want you to also note, that the Lord places the onus on His saints, to ensure that they are not deceived. The reason He does this, is because He has given us more than enough signs to look for, relating to the end times, that will prevent us from being deceived. And so, in this book we will plainly list those end time events as revealed in scripture, so that no saint need be deceived, in these last days. Before the church age, many of the mysteries of God were hidden, but the moment the church was born, God began to reveal His mysteries to the saints, by His Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10). Part of the mysteries of God, are what will take place, in the latter days. It is not the will of God, that the church be ignorant, of latter day events. You will recall, that our Lord Jesus said that He no longer calls us servants, but rather His friends. For He said, that a servant does not know what His master is doing, but all things that He has heard from the Father, He has made known to us (John 15:15). The whole book of Revelation, was given by God to our Lord Jesus Christ, to show His church, events which must take place in the later days (Revelation 1:1). God certainly wants His children, to have full understanding, of the end times.

Acts 1:6-7 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?  (7)  And He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority."

So, what about the scripture quoted above, where our Lord tells us that it is not for us to know times or seasons, which our Father has put in His own authority? The Lord answered the disciples in this manner, in response to their wanting to know the exact date, that He would set up His kingdom on the earth. Although there are instances in scripture, when God has given exact times to His saints, this is not the norm. For example, God told Abraham exactly how many years the children of Israel would be in Egypt (Genesis 15:13). God also told the Jews, how long they would be in exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:10). But with regards to the end times, God has not given us knowledge of times or seasons. So, how are we to understand the end times, if it is not given to us to know times and seasons? Our Lord answered that question for us, when He taught us on the subject relating to the end times. For in His teaching, He revealed certain key events, that will take place in the later days. He then stated, that when we see these key events taking place, that we will know just how close we are, to the end of the age. In other words, we are to look for the key events that scripture reveals to us, and by them, we will know how close we are, to the end of the age.

Matthew 24:32-33 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.  (33)  So, you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

In the above passage of scripture, our Lord used the analogy of a fig tree, putting forth it’s leaves when summer is near, and by observing the fig tree, we know just how near, summer is. And so, there are certain key events revealed to us in scripture, that must take place prior to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this book, I have listed some of those key events, in chronological sequence, so that it is easier for the believer, to understand the times in which they live. When our Lord Jesus returns to the earth, the church will be in one of two locations. There will be the saints who are in heaven, and there will be the saints who are on the earth. The saints that will be in heaven at that time, will be present with the Lord Jesus, when He descends to the earth.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  (16)  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  (17)  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.  (18)  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

In the above passage of scripture, the Holy Spirit refers to the dead in Christ rising first. All who are dead in Christ, are currently with Christ, in heaven. For the scripture teaches us that when the saints fall asleep, that they depart this life to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8). In the same passage quoted above, the Holy Spirit goes on to say that there will be saints alive on the earth, when our Lord Jesus returns to the earth. And so, clearly the church will be located in both heaven, and on the earth, when our Lord Jesus returns on that day. Because the saints in heaven, are currently with Christ, they will not be taken by surprise, at the return of the Lord. However, that will not be the case, for all the saints on the earth. The requirement for the saints on the earth, to not be taken by surprise at the Lord’s return, is to watch.

Mark 13:35-37 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—(36) lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.  (37)  And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

In Mark’s gospel quoted above, our Lord Jesus admonishes us, to watch for His coming. The reason He tells us to watch, is so that we will not be found sleeping at His return. So, what are we to watch for? We are to watch the fig tree, to see if it’s leaves have begun to show yet.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.  (2)  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they say, Peace and safety! then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.  (4)  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.  (6)  Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.  (7)  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.  (8)  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.  (9)  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit, in His letter to the church in Thessalonica, counsels the saints on the earth, to watch and be sober. For in the scripture quoted above, we see that the saints on the earth who watch and are sober, will not be taken by surprise when our Lord Jesus returns. In fact, the apostle Paul is so confident of the fact, that the church on the earth will be aware of the Lord’s imminent return, that he says that he has no need to write to us concerning times and seasons. Conversely, it is just as clear that the saints who choose not to watch and be sober, will be taken by surprise, at the coming of the Lord Jesus. However, in that same passage of scripture, it is very plain to see, that the ones who will be clearly taken by surprise when the Lord returns, are all the unbelievers who will be dwelling on the earth at that time. For the scripture reveals to us that as far as the world is concerned, that they would have reached a stage where they could finally proclaim, that peace and safety had been attained in the earth. It will be in that instant, that sudden destruction will come upon them.

​The fourth kingdom revealed

Daniel 7:2-12 Daniel spoke, saying, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.  (3)  And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.  (4)  The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it.  (5)  And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh!'  (6)  After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.  (7)  After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.  (8)  I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.  (9)  I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; (10) A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.  (11)  I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.  (12)  As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

As I mentioned earlier, I have listed in chronological sequence, the key events that must take place before our Lord returns. God gave the prophet Daniel, several visions and dreams, relating to the end times. Our Lord would not have done that, if He did not want us to understand end time events, as they unfold. In fact, in teaching us on end time events, our Lord Jesus Himself, referred to one of Daniels’ visions (Mark 13:14). The above passage of scripture, records one of the visions of the end times, as given to the prophet Daniel. In his vision, Daniel was shown four different beasts, and each beast represented a separate kingdom in the earth. That truth is revealed to us by the angel, when he explains the vision given to Daniel, in a later passage of scripture. In scripture, a kingdom refers to a grouping of nations that are allied to each other, in one way or another. From this passage of scripture, it is very clear that each of these kingdoms will be on the earth, when our Lord returns, for the vision links the four beasts to the day of judgement, as the court is seated, and the books are opened. And so, in the vision the Lord reveals to us, what will happen to each of those kingdoms, when He does return. He reveals that three of the kingdoms, will continue, after He returns to the earth. For the scripture says, that their lives will be prolonged for a season and a time. But, although the lives of these kingdoms will be prolonged for a period of time, the scripture reveals to us that their dominion will be taken away. In other words, although these kingdoms will remain on the earth when our Lord returns, they will no longer govern their own affairs. The reason they will no longer govern their own affairs, is because they will become subject to the rule and reign, of Jesus Christ. For our Lord Jesus will reign on the earth with His church, for one thousand years, when He returns to the earth (Revelation 20:4).

Psalms 48:1-8 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, In His holy mountain.  (2)  Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.  (3)  God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.  (4)  For behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together.  (5)  They saw it, and so they marveled; They were troubled, they hastened away.  (6)  Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, (7) As when You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.  (8)  As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, In the city of our God: God will establish it forever.

The above passage of scripture, gives us an account of what it will be like on the earth, during our Lord’s millennial reign. For the scripture reveals to us, that the kings of the unsaved nations of the earth, will be brought to the