Why bother talking about end times, the end of the age and the second coming of Christ?

Both the Bible and Jesus give a high priority to talking about the end of the age and the second coming of Christ, which is called “the Blessed Hope”. (Titus 2:13)

Did you know? That one out of every 30 verses in the Bible addresses the subject of the end times or Christ’s return. For every prophecy of His first coming, there are about seven of His second coming. There are 300 references in the New Testament to His second coming. One-twentieth of N.T. devoted to 2 nd coming.

In 2 Timothy 4:8, we are told that the crown of righteousness will be awarded “to all who have longed for his appearing”!

Regarding the end of the age and His return, Jesus repeatedly warns us to: be alert, keep watch, pray, be prepared, be ready, don’t be deceived, don’t be alarmed, occupy until He comes, persevere, faithfully endure, overcome

How much more urgent are these warnings of Jesus if we are the generation that experiences all the drama at the end of the age, including Christ’s spectacular return?

“If we aren’t acquainted with the end of the script, we can grow fearful or complacent in the play” Max Lucado

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. (Isaiah 60:1-2)

Could we possibly be that generation? What are the Biblical Signs of the End of the Age?

Biblical Signs of the End of the Age 1. Jewish people back in their own land again (Zech. 10:9,10) Israel became a nation in barren wasteland/desert will blossom and flourish (Isa. 43:19,20; Ezek.36:29-36). 3. Jerusalem back in Israel’s hands (Zech.12-14) (happened in 1967)

Biblical Signs of the End of Age 4.Increase in travel and knowledge (Dan.12:4) 5. A great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, including youth (Joel 2:28) 6. While the light of the glory of God comes upon His people, great darkness covers the earth (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Biblical Signs of the End of the Age (Matthew 24) 7. false Christs, false prophets will seek to deceive many (cults) (vs. 4,5,11,24) 8. hear of wars and rumours of wars (vs. 6) 9. falling away from faith (take offense) (vs.10) 10. Increase of natural disasters, famines, earthquakes etc. (vs. 7,8)

Biblical Signs of the End of the Age 11. increase in persecution/martyrdom (vs.9) 12. Increase in wickedness/lawlessness (calling evil good and good evil) (vs. 12) 13. Gospel of Kingdom preached as a testimony to all people groups, then end will come (vs.14) (see light at the end of the Great Commission tunnel)

Biblical Signs of the End of the Age 14. Great distress, (tribulation) (Mt. 24:21,29) 15. men’s hearts faint in terror (heart attacks) (Luke 21:11,26) 16. Heavenly bodies effected, shaken (Mt. 24:29;Luke 21:25) 17. Roaring & tossing of waves of the sea (tsunamis) (Luke 21:25)

Biblical Signs of the End of the Age 18. Most of the world will come against Israel (UN council) (Zech.14) 19. Emergence of a one world government and dictator to solve global problems. (call for a New World Order by global elite & Islam) (Daniel, Micah, Revelation)

Is Jesus coming back for sure? Some interesting facts mentioned earlier: 1 out of every 30 verses in Bible mentions the end times or Christ’s return For every prophecy of His first coming, there’s about seven prophecies of His second coming 300 references in the New Testament to His second coming 1/20 of New Testament devoted to subject of Christ’s return

Jesus promised He would come again. Here’s a Sampling: Jesus: Mt. 24:27; John 14:1-3 Dr. Luke: Acts 1:11 Paul: 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7; Heb. 9:28 John: 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Rev. 22:7, 12, 20

Various Christian Views of the Second Coming (in relation to Tribulation and 1000 year Reign) __________________________________ I I A-millennialism Millennialism (literal 1000 year reign) (not literal) I ____________ I ________________ I I Pre- Millennialism Post -Millennialism I _______________________I______________________ I I I 1. Pre-tribulation 2. Mid-tribulation Post-tribulation (rapture) 3. (Partial pre-trib or mid-trib rapture) (4. Historic 5. Apostolic)

A-Millennialism (not literal 1000 years) Cross--> Millennium----> 2 nd Coming-->Eternity The Church Age Judgment Tribulation (began with St. Augustine, 5th century & held by much of the Roman Catholic Church, Luther, Calvin, and Reformed Churches)

Post-Millennialism (Jesus comes after the 1000 year reign) Cross I-> The Church Age > Tribulation > society gradually improves > Millennium > 2 nd Coming & judgment-> Eternity-> This Optimistic view was held during the Great Awakening, Puritan & missionary movements of 18 th & 19 th centuries

Pre-Millennialism (Jesus comes Before 1000 year reign) Historic Pre-Millennialism Israel (Jesus comes after Tribulation) The Cross = “post-Tribulation” The Church Age Society grows more evil Great Tribulation Second Coming of Christ/Rapture 1000 year Reign on earth Judgment & Eternity (earliest view, held by early Church Fathers)

Pre-Millennialism (Jesus comes before 1000 year reign) Dispensational Pre-Millennialism God’s work (1. pre-trib., 2. mid-trib., 3. partial) with Israel The Cross The Church Age Pre-tribulation (or mid-trib.) secret Rapture of church The Great Tribulation ( 7 or 3 ½ years) Second Coming of Christ 1000 year earthly Reign Final Judgment, Eternity -Israel-Cross-Church-Rapture-Tribulation-Return-Reign-Eternity (teaching developed around 1830, very popular in North America)

Pre-Millennialism (Jesus comes Before the 1000 year reign) Apostolic Pre-Millennialism Same as Historic Pre-Mill: -Believes church will go through the Great Tribulation (post-Trib.) - but also believes in end-time apostolic power, revival and harvest - Israel, The Cross, The Church Age ( includes Tribulation AND end time Revival & Harvest) Christ’s Second Coming/Rapture followed by Christ’s 1000 year earthly Reign, Final Judgment, New Heaven and Earth, Eternity (taught by Derek Prince, Mike Bickle)