The “End of Days” or “End Times” are terms that seem to get thrown around everywhere from TV to the internet nowadays. There are some questions that should be considered such as: Are we witnessing what has been described and interpreted by many prophets, Biblical scholars, and preachers worldwide to be these designated times? If they are, are they accurate? Is there evidence to corroborate these ambiguous claims? And if we truly are in these times are we prepared?
All of these questions were answered by Yeshua over 2000 years ago. In Matthew 24:3 the disciples inquired:
And when Yeshua sat on Tor d’Zaytha, his disciples came and they were saying among themselves and to him: “Tell us when these things will be and what will be the sign of your advent and of the end of the world.”
Yeshua’s response in verses 4-12 show there are many matters to be aware of for the “end of the world”:
Yeshua answered and said to them, “Beware that no man will deceive you. For many will come in my name, and they will say. ‘I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Messiah’, and they will deceive many.” It is going to happen that you are going to hear battles and reports of wars, take heed that you will not be troubled, for it is necessary that all these things should happen, but it will not yet be the end. For nation will rise against nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom, and there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of sorrows. And then they will deliver you to suffering, and they will kill you and you will be hated by all the nations because of my name. Then many will be subverted, and they will hate one another and will betray one another. And many false Prophets will arise and will deceive many. And because of the abundance of evil, the love of many will grow cold.
To summarize the “End” would entail:
- Many will claim to be Christ
- Wars and rumor of wars
- Nations will be at war with one another
- Famines
- Plagues
- Earthquakes
- Persecution
- Hate and division
- Many false prophets
- Abundance of evil
- No love
If we look over this list many could say for the past 2000 years each generation could have anticipated that the “end” was upon the world. Since man has been recording natural disasters and diseases we have seen an EXPONENTIAL increase, especially over the past year, let alone 7 years. More and more are being persecuted for their faith. Rumors of wars with the U.S. between Russia, North Korea, China. There have been many proxy wars in the Middle East that the media rarely portrays. Natural disasters have been wiping out entire countries lately. We’ve seen many false teachers and prophets claiming specific dates for the end or Christ’s return, which if we know Scripture stated ONLY the FATHER knows the time. There is no need to clutter this entire devotional up with validating that everything Yeshua spoke of is occurring at an alarming rate as never seen before. All you have to do is turn on the TV and you can find the abundance of evil, man being lovers of themselves, false prophets telling you money and materialistic things can be granted to you if you pray enough, and seeing natural disasters on the rise as they reshape this planet.
Matthew 24 goes on to describe false claiming Messiah’s would reveal themselves. If you look in Wikipedia you will see they have all directly violated prophecy by showing themselves. Look it up, and that alone will speak ample volume. This topic will be discussed further in another devotional. For now, our focus is answering these stated questions about the Times of the End. In Matthew 24:29-31 Yeshua gives us a few more clues.
But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will darken and the moon will not show its light, and the stars will fall from the heavens and the power of the heavens will be disturbed. And then the sign of The Son of Man in Heaven will appear and then all the families of the earth will mourn, and they will see The Son of Man who comes on the clouds of Heaven with miracles and many praises. And he will send his Angels with great trumpets, and they will gather his own elect from the four winds, from all the ends of the heavens.
To summarize the last signs Yeshua gives us:
- Sun and moon will be darkened
- Stars will fall
- Heavens will shake
- Son of Man in Heaven will appear
- Trumpets will be heard
- Elect will be gathered
So far out of this list, we have seen the sun and moon darkened. Just a few years ago Scientists were claiming the sun was losing its power and becoming less bright. We’ve seen some pretty significant timings of solar and lunar eclipses lately including the sign of Revelation 12 that just occurred back in September of 2017. Trumpet noises have also been heard. These strange noises have been being recorded all over the world since 2011 out of nowhere seemingly coming from the atmosphere. If one was to take all of these signs and genuinely research and ponder, it would seem that 90% of these have been occurring.
From Matthew 24:32-35Yeshua gives the parable of the fig tree:
But learn a parable from the fig tree: As soon as its branches bow low and its leaves bud forth, you know that summer has arrived. So also, whenever you see all these things, know that he has approached the door. Amen, I say to you that this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and Earth will pass away, and my words will not pass away.
This was an allegorical representation of the signs to look for when the season of the end is upon us. A season like within our 4 seasons on Earth we know when that period of time is coming because of the changes we see. All of these things that are happening in the world today are the changes we are seeing occur as this season of the End is upon us.
From Yeshua’s words and from world events happening today, we can safely deduce that we are in the End Times. With that being said, what is the next step? From the previous verses six and eight, Yeshua tells us a couple things we must know. We should not be troubled, that it is necessary for these things to occur and that it is not the end but the beginning of sorrows. From verses thirty-six to Forty-one, He describes His second coming as when the days are of Noah. We should all be able to see that from what is going on in the world that it is like the days of Noah. He goes on to state from Matthew 24:42-51 –
Wake up therefore, for you do not know in what hour your Lord will come. But know this: if the house owner had known in what watch the robber would come, he would have been awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Because of this, be also ready, because at the hour in which you are not expecting, The Son of Man will come. Who then is the servant who is faithful and wise, whom his Lord has appointed over the children of his household, to give them food in his time? Blessed is that servant, whom, when his master will come, will find doing this. Amen, I say to you, he will set him over everything that he has. But if an evil servant will say in his heart, “My Lord delays to come”, And will start to beat his associates and eat and drink with drunkards, The Lord of that servant will come on the day that he does not expect it, and in the hour in which he is not aware. And he will cut him off, and he will set his portion with the phonies. There will be weeping and gnashing teeth.
There is a very profound message here. We must ALWAYS STAY VIGILANT! We are still in the Adversary’s domain until the Righteous King takes his throne! Don’t underestimate his deception, because you will fall. Yeshua said His spirit would return like a THEIF in the night. Do you think that means He will be going on tour with a cumulous cloud waving to everyone as he appears? ABSOLUTELY NOT! He said His spirit would return as a THEIF, which means most will be unaware. He admits those who have grown comfortable or weary will be found at fault because they were not ready at all times. We must be the watchmen and warn others to get right before it is too late. When you come to realize this time is upon us, do not be weary or discouraged but prepare your heart and get right with God. Become vigilant and don’t fall asleep because we are in that season! Christ said He was coming back as a thief, are you sure you didn’t miss it because you have become too comfortable in the mundane every day rituals of life? Realize with every end there is a new beginning, and that new beginning is the New Kingdom. Have you made yourself worthy and have you been paying attention?
Weekly Challenge:
Ask yourself if you believe we are in the season or time period Yeshua described in Matthew 24. If you are not convinced, start doing some research, look at statistics, pray and meditate upon it. Begin to prepare yourself in what way you need to become acceptable before the Almighty. Know the goals you set in your heart will be ever evolving and the path of growth does not end there. Be sure not to fall asleep in these times because judgment day is fast approaching.