End Times - are we there yet?
There was a point in my life where I helped a start-up company expand from 12 to some 60+ employees. The day they let me go was a devastating experience. Prior to this event, I had never studied the Bible. Since the stronghold of pride had the better part of me at the time, I decided to study the Book of Revelation because I wanted to understand why I had lost my job. I was adopting the false narrative of being a victim of an unfair decision. My wife, who is much smarter than I will ever be, said that I might want to start with the Book of Daniel.
So began my journey, which continues to this day. As I sought answers to my questions I kept running across two schools of thought about End Times prophecy. One said that we are currently in the period known as the Millennial Reign with Christ at the head. The other scenario is that the Millennial Kingdom is a future event. I gravitate toward the latter. Candidly, you have to come to your own conclusion and not take my opinions as fact. That said, I like to recall what the late Pastor Chuck Smith would say. Something to the effect that if we are in the Millennium now, then satan's chain is too long.
As I started my studies in the Book of Daniel I became very confused with timelines, especially because the chapters do not appear in chronological order. That prompted me to create my own document that gave me a visual of events. I still make updates to this document today, as I learn more about what I may have right versus what I may have wrong. Since I was studying Daniel and specifically Chapter 9, I centered the timeline chart around the 70 Week Prophecy give by the archangel Gabriel to the prophet Daniel. On this site I will be covering a lot of what is detailed in the diagram below. One thing is for sure, we are getting closer to End Times events with each passing day, and I want to be prepared. If nothing else, I hope the timeline below prompts you to ask questions and to dig deeper on your own.
Are you Ready for Who's Coming?
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.. . . 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
There is a passage in Luke that recounts the events of Palm Sunday. Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy in Zachariah 9:9 by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. He is weeping because His people did not know the time of his visitation.
The prophet Daniel had given the Jews the exact day that Jesus would allow Himself to be publicly worshiped and put to death. However, the Jews either forgot or did not study the scriptures. As in the days of Noah, many will be surprised by the return of Jesus. My goal is not to be that guy, who causes Jesus to shed tears because I am not ready. I hope you are encouraged to adopt a similar mindset.
How to prepare for End Times
None of us know when End Times will occur, but that doesn’t mean we can put off preparation in the event it happens in our lifetime.
In order to be ready for End Times the most important weapon you have is a personal relationship with your Creator. It starts with a humble heart and repenting from your past sin. The good news is that God can use the mess from our past and turn it into something very good. I will have much more on this in a future post a bout renewed blessings.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
The next step is to have a burning desire to be committed to finding truth. From personal experience I can tell you that the truth you need is not of this world. Seek out opinions from like minded people. Don’t be offended by opinions that don’t agree with yours. Seek revelation that can only come from above.
Now, if you are skeptical, that’s a good sign. Keep moving forward, take your time, and stay on your knees. If you are diligent, it will result in freedom like you have never experienced before.
