Agreeing on the Signs of the End Times

Understand the Truth About the End Times   

How is the world going to end? Can anyone predict when it will happen? How bad will things get before Jesus comes back? Read Billy Graham’s short answers to each of these questions and others.

Q: How is the world going to end?

A: What will the end be like? For one thing, it will be sudden and unexpected—and most people will be unprepared. Just as in the days of Noah’s flood, a catastrophe will suddenly overtake the earth—and then it will be too late to turn to God. The Bible also hints at total, fiery destruction. “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything … in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). Does that mean we’ll never experience wars, plagues, or natural disasters that look like they might bring life to an end (just as they have in the past)? It’s certainly possible; God hasn’t promised to deliver us from such tragedies. But they aren’t the end, and even in the midst of these we can trust God’s promise to be with us. Jesus said, “Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6).

Q: Could this prediction of Christ’s return be right?

A: The Bible clearly warns us against making precise predictions about Jesus’ return. Jesus declared, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). If God has concealed it from the angels and His Son, why would He reveal it to a mere person? At the same time, the Bible does tell us two very important truths about Christ’s second coming. First, it tells us that He will return! Repeatedly, the Bible tells us that God’s plan for this world is not finished, and some day Christ will come again to complete that plan. And unlike His first coming, His return will be glorious and recognized by the whole world: “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7). The second truth the Bible tells us is that He could come at any moment – and the signs warning of His coming become more and more obvious every day. Once He comes, it will be too late to commit ourselves to Him and work for Him; now is the time to believe in Him and follow Him. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me”. (John 9:4).   

Q: How bad is the world going to get before God finally steps in and Jesus comes back?

A: The Bible warns us against making precise predictions about the exact time of Jesus’ return—but His return is certain, and we may well be living in the last days before He comes again. The Bible says, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Romans 13:12). Shortly before returning to Heaven Jesus told His disciples that someday He would come back to establish His Kingdom. But before that could take place, He said, certain things would have to happen—and we see many of these today. For example, He said that before His return the Gospel must be preached throughout the world (see Mark 13:10). Never before has this been possible—but now it is, through radio and the Internet and other modern means of communication. You also have placed your finger on another sign Jesus gave: Satan’s final attempt to halt God’s work through a massive onslaught of evil. Our world is no stranger to evil; Satan has always been working to stop God’s plans. But God’s enemies now have access to modern weapons of mass destruction, and no one can predict what the outcome will be. Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. … Nation will rise against nation” (Matthew 24:6-7).

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4 Signs of the End Times - by David Jeremiah

The Rapture is the next event on the prophetic calendar. Casting their shadows before them, the following signs indicate that the End Times are near.

1. The Sign of Deception

Many people are going to claim to be the Messiah and claim to have the answers for a troubled world. Jesus says to “take heed”—literally, to keep our eyes open so we are not fooled. In the End Times, people will be crying desperately for leaders to deliver them, and they will seek mystics and religious leaders who claim to have deeper knowledge.

2. The Sign of Disputes Among Nations

As wars and dissension among groups of people escalate, we know it signals Christ’s return. The book of Revelation tells us that the Tribulation period is filled with war—ceaseless, unending, terrible war— that will escalate until the entire world is involved. Fifty percent of all research scientists today are involved in arms development. Despite all the arms limitations treaties, there is at least one military weapon and four thousand pounds of explosives for every man, woman, and child on earth. The Bible says that as we move toward the End Times, there will be constant talk of conflicts, border skirmishes, race wars, and national battles.

3. The Sign of Devastation

Today, as you read this, millions of people in the world are going hungry—even though God has blessed us with a fruitful, abundant planet. As we get closer to the End Times, there will be more and more famine. There will also be earthquakes, something that science has said will happen. Christ also spoke of pestilence: the spread of new diseases. Our world is experiencing a spate of tragic new diseases that we are unable to control.

4. The Sign of Deliverance Into the Tribulation

Just before Jesus returns, there will be an explosion of antagonism toward God’s people. Christians will be persecuted. I think we are already seeing it. The media holds most fringe groups in high regard, but it seems to attack conservative Christians every chance it gets. Many are going to pay a high price for living out their faith in our world. 

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END OF THE WORLD: Natural disasters are signs ‘of the APOCALYPSE’

Several dramatic events have occurred all over the globe recently and some are now saying it is a sign of the end times. Christian conspiracy theorists point to record breaking heatwaves in Europe and America. They also cited devastating earthquakes, which have killed hundreds in places including Indonesia.

Wildfires have raged across the west coast of the United State and all of this is against a backdrop of political tension which could lead to World War 3. As a result, some self-proclaimed experts are claiming that these could be leading to the end.

One author, Michael Snyder, who describes himself as “one of those Christians that actually believes the Bible”, said that Earth changes are accelerating and before long it will be too late. Mr Snyder, whose book titles include ‘Living a Life That Really Matters’ and ‘The Beginning of The End’, wrote on his blog The Economic Collapse:

“Yes, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is increasing, and it has been increasing for a very long time. Scientists assure us that our planet once had much, much higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the air then we do today, and our planet appeared to have thrived under those conditions. But the narrative won’t change. The mainstream media will continue to tell us that the Earth changes that we are witnessing are due to global warming and that if we reverse course that we can go back to how things were before. No, we can’t go back, because the changes that are happening are way outside of our control. Fundamental changes are happening to our planet, and this is just the beginning. For now these Earth changes are a minor nuisance to a lot of people, but pretty soon nobody will be able to ignore them.”

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According to JW.org, the Jehovah Witnesses proclaim ... 

The Bible describes events and conditions that would mark “the conclusion of the [current] system of things,” or “the end of the world.” (Matthew 24:3; KJV) The Bible calls this time period “the last days” and the “time of the end,” or “end times.” (2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 8:​19) The following are some outstanding features of last-days, or end-times, prophecies:

War on a large scale ​— Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:4.

Famine. — Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:​5, 6.

Great earthquakes. — Luke 21:11.

Pestilences, or epidemics of “terrible diseases.”​ — Luke 21:11, Contemporary English Version

Increase of crime — Matthew 24:12.

Ruining of the earth by mankind — Revelation 11:18.

Deterioration of people’s attitudes, as shown by many who are “unthankful, disloyal . . . not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride.” ​— 2 Timothy 3:​1-4.

Breakdown of the family, with people who have “no natural affection” and children who are “disobedient to parents.” ​— 2 Timothy 3:​2, 3.

Love of God growing cold in most people ​— Matthew 24:12.

Noteworthy displays of religious hypocrisy — 2 Timothy 3:5.

Increased understanding of Bible prophecies, including those related to the last days ​— Daniel 12:4.

Global preaching of the good news of the Kingdom — Matthew 24:14.

Widespread apathy and even ridicule toward the evidence of the approaching end ​— Matthew 24:37-​39; 2 Peter 3:​3, 4.

The simultaneous fulfillment of all these prophecies, not just a few or even most of them — Matthew 24:33.

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While many religious organizations believe in an "End Times" scenario, these are but a few references that have been highlighted above. The majority of Christians believe Jesus is set to return and commence with the final battle at any time. 

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." -- Luke 21:28 (KJV)

Making Sense of Ezekiel’s Temple Vision

The following article was obtained from the website, Pursuing Truths @ adammaarschalk.com, and  written by Steve Gregg, Jun 1, 2012.

Ezekiel's Temple Vision.

This article first appeared in the Practical Hermeneutics column of the Christian Research Journal, volume 35, number 03 (2012). 

The book of Ezekiel closes with a vision of a temple and its associated rituals. In chapter 40, the prophet is transported in vision from his home among the exiles in Babylon to Israel, where a divine messenger holding a measuring rod appears to him. The messenger gives Ezekiel a tour of the temple, measuring the various walls, gates, and courts. At one point, the glory of the Lord, which was seen departing from the temple in an earlier vision (chap. 10), is seen returning to inhabit the temple (43:1–4).

The following chapters describe various sacrificial rituals performed by priests. Special attention is given to the role of one who is referred to as “the prince.” Near the end, a river is seen flowing out of the temple from under the threshold. The book closes with portions of the land assigned to various tribes.

Biblical scholars acknowledge that the temple vision, which occupies the last nine chapters of Ezekiel, presents special challenges in its interpretation. Some have even described it as the most difficult passage in the Old Testament.

As with the descriptions in Exodus of the tabernacle and its furnishings, many readers will find this section of Ezekiel tedious, due to its many arcane details, but this is not the greatest difficulty presented by these chapters. By far, the greater difficulty has to do with identifying the time and manner of the fulfillment of the vision.

Is It Solomon’s Temple?  

When Ezekiel saw the vision (573 BC), there was no temple standing in Jerusalem. Solomon’s temple, which had previously stood there, had been destroyed thirteen years earlier by Nebuchadnezzar, when he conquered Jerusalem and deported the citizens to Babylon. This means that Ezekiel was not seeing Solomon’s temple, or any temple that was actually standing at the time. What temple, then, was he shown?

Is It Zerubbabel’s Temple?   

Perhaps the answer that first comes to mind would be that this was the temple that came to be built, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, on the return of the Jews from Babylon to Jerusalem. However, this solution seems to be ruled out by the fact that Zerubbabel’s temple ended up being much smaller, and less elaborate, than the one Ezekiel describes. If Ezekiel was prophesying that the temple built by the returning exiles would fit this description, the prophecy failed to come true. This option does not commend itself to those who accept the inspiration of Scripture. Other interpretations, therefore, have been offered by evangelical scholars.

Is It the Church?  

Some Christian commentators have understood the content of these chapters as an apocalyptic vision, which is best interpreted spiritually. They point out that the church, in the New Testament, is often referred to as God’s “temple” or habitation. Each Christian is a “living stone” (1 Pet. 2:5), built, along with others, “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20) into a “temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16). On this view, the features of temple worship—priests, altars, sacrifices, blood rituals—would be seen as pertaining to spiritual, rather than literal, realities, and applied to our worship of God in the present time. In particular, the description of the river, in chapter 47, would seem to support a nonliteral interpretation. If this is the correct view, we would be required either to see many of the tedious details as being either superfluous or as corresponding to spiritual ideas that would be very difficult to identify with confidence.

Is It the Millennial Temple?   

Another view of this vision, commonly held among dispensationalists, is that Ezekiel’s temple will be established after the second coming of Christ and will serve as the worship center for all people during the “millennium.” On this view, the one described as “the prince” is often identified as Christ Himself, ruling over the millennial kingdom.

Choosing a Hermeneutical Strategy.   

In choosing among these options, we are compelled to decide between differing hermeneutical priorities. One of the chief hermeneutical principles recommended by dispensationalist scholars is that of maintaining a consistently literal interpretation. This would mean that “spiritualizing” the text must be seen as a departure from the most faithful handling of Scripture. Therefore, dispensationalists argue for a literal, physical building to be established in fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision. Since the temple erected after Ezekiel’s time did not fit Ezekiel’s description, they believe that there must be another temple in the future that will do so more admirably.

It would be easier to accept this theory if we did not have the New Testament to guide our thinking. The most obvious problem presented here is that the book of Hebrews (e.g., 10:1–18) speaks of the death of Christ on the cross as a termination of the efficacy of bloody animal sacrifices, such as those Israel offered in the temple. If Ezekiel’s vision applies to a future time, why do we again find the offering of animal sacrifices?

The dispensationalist answer is that the millennial sacrifices will not be intended to atone for sins. The blood of Christ precludes any need for that. Just as the Old Testament sacrifices anticipated the death of Christ as a future event, it is suggested the future millennial sacrifices will commemorate the death of Christ as a past event.

The text of Ezekiel, however, seems to preclude this, since the various offerings in the temple are said to “make atonement for the house of Israel” (45:17).1 Thus, the sacrifices are presented as an atonement for sin, not as a memorial. Christ Himself recommended the use of wine and bread to commemorate His death (1 Cor. 11:24–26). Why would God replace this with animal sacrifices in which God never found any particular pleasure (Ps. 40:6; 51:16; Heb. 10:6)?

Further, Ezekiel says that “the prince” will offer a sin offering “for himself and for all the people” (45:22). If the prince is required to offer sacrifices for his own sins, this would militate against any theory that identifies him with Christ, who never sinned.

Other objections to the idea that Ezekiel’s vision describes a worship economy to be established in the future would include the following:

The vision presents a centralized worship in a specified geographical place. In the Old Testament, people were expected to approach the tabernacle, or (later) the temple, for this purpose (Deut. 12:5, 11). Jesus, however, announced to the Samaritan woman that the time of centralized worship was soon to end and to be replaced with spiritual worship, which does not depend on being in any particular place (John 4:21–24; cf. Acts 7:48–50).

In Ezekiel’s vision, the Levites and Aaronic priesthood are seen in their former places of service. According to the New Testament, there has been a change of the priesthood (Heb. 7:12). The Jewish priesthood has been replaced by a different priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5) and a non-Aaronic high priest (Jesus). This modification will not be reversed, for Christ is said to be “a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek” (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 7:17, 21).

Literal Interpretation Is Not Always Best. While the difficulties of the dispensational interpretation seem insurmountable, its only strength lies in its hermeneutic of literal interpretation. There is another hermeneutic principle, however, that overrides literalism—namely, the superior revelation given in Christ.

Hebrews 1:1–3 affirms that, while God spoke to Israel through various prophets in the past, the revelation that has come through Christ is more comprehensive because He is no mere prophet, but “the brightness of [God’s] glory and the express image of His person.” The New Testament is not a mere appendix added to the writings of the Old Testament prophets. It is a revelation of the new order in Jesus Christ, in whom all previous revelation finds its fulfillment, and through whom all previous revelation must be understood.

Christ opened the understanding of His disciples so that they “might understand the [Old Testament] scriptures” (Luke 24:45). This being the case, it would be foolish for us to seek a meaning of the prophets contrary to that which Christ and the apostles taught. It is their witness that provides the strongest objections to any literalistic interpretation of Ezekiel 40–48. In Christ’s new order (which, unlike the old order, is permanent), the temple, priesthood, and sacrifices are likewise spiritual (1 Pet. 2:5).

Making Sense of the Vision.   

How then are we to understand the temple vision? First, one might reasonably refer to the vision as that which “might have been,” had the Jewish exiles in Babylon exhibited a more thorough repentance than they did. There is an indication that the realization of this vision in Israel’s future was contingent on the people being sufficiently ashamed, or repentant, of their past sins: “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern. And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple” (Ezek. 43:10–11).

The response of the Jews to their opportunity to return and to rebuild their temple was notoriously tepid. Only a small remnant opted even to return to Jerusalem, while the rest were content to remain in Babylon. As a result, the temple they built proved to be inferior to the one that Ezekiel described.

Though the Jews did not meet the conditions to have such a temple as Ezekiel’s, the pattern preserved in these chapters stands as a description of an intended order, which, had it materialized, would have testified, as the tabernacle once did, as a type and shadow of “heavenly things” (Heb. 8:5)—the new order in Jesus Christ. This, we may assume, was the long-term purpose served by the vision.

Though some features of the vision were probably intended symbolically from the start (e.g., the seemingly miraculous, ever-deepening river), it is probable that the temple and its rituals would have been literally instituted, as here described, had Israel met God’s conditions.

"Whether or not the temple had ever actually been rebuilt, the new revelation in Christ encourages us to see its pattern as having been fulfilled in Jesus Christ Himself, who is the final atoning sacrifice and the eternal high priest of God’s people." — Steve Gregg

{Steve Gregg is the author of Revelation: Four Views: A Parallel Commentary, and host of the radio show, The Narrow Path (www.thenarrowpath.com). He lives in Temecula, California.}