Understanding The Times
The world’s atmosphere is saturated with uncertainty, fear, and anxiety concerning the future of humanity. This generation has never experienced anything quite like this. Stock market crash, jobs lost, schools closed, restaurants, shopping malls, theaters, sports arenas, and activities canceled, millions are dying and so much more, all because of an unprecedented pandemic. However, for those who know the plan of God according to the Bible, we can find peace.
Two key thoughts I would like for you to keep in mind about the future. The first is that God is sovereign and in control over everything. He knows the future and absolutely controls what will happen.
The Bible says in Isaiah 46:9-10:
“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
The second thing to remember about the future is that the Bible outlines what will occur in “the end times” or “latter days.” Because the Bible is God’s word to mankind, and because God knows and controls the future, then it stands to reason that when the Bible speaks about what will occur in the future, we can believe it.
Now concerning prophecies about the future, the Bible says, “No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:21). This truth is evident in the fact that, unlike the false prophecies made in other religions or by individuals, the Bible has never once been wrong – every time the Bible has predicted a future event, it happened exactly as Scripture said it would.
Sadly, the Bible predicts a downward spiral of catastrophes, human sin, and religious apostasy before Christ returns. Paul writes, “But realize this, that in the last days perilous times will come. . . . Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:1, 13). The world will continue to reject God, His Word, and His people.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” 2 Peter 3:10-11
The Day of the Lord
The phrase “day of the Lord” identifies events that take place at the end of history, and is often closely associated with the phrase “that day.” One key to understanding these phrases is to note that they always identify a period during which God personally intervenes in history, directly or indirectly, to accomplish some specific aspect of His plan. Understanding that the day of the Lord will be a time when God will bring correction and punishment to the world, in preparation for the return of Christ.
The Second Coming
The second coming of Jesus Christ is the hope of believers that God is in control of all things, and is faithful to the promises and prophecies in His Word. In His first coming, Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem, just as prophesied. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not yet fulfilled. The second coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to fulfill these remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side.
The Bible from Genesis to Revelation clearly speaks of the times that we are living in and the imminent return of Christ. The word imminent means “likely to happen at any moment; impending. Allow me to give a brief summary of these events. I hope that this summary will bring pause and comfort as the days ahead become increasingly more troublesome.
God started his seven-day plan of creation in Genesis, six days for creation and one day for rest.
The millennium is referred to as the rest.
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8
“For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night.” Psalms 90:4
3. The prophet Hosea stated that the restoration of God’s people would occur after two days, which implies 2000 years from Christ first coming
“Come, and let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn, and he will heal us, he hath smitten, and he will bind us up - after two days will he revive us in the third day he will raise us up, and, and we shall live in his sight.” Hosea 6:1-2
4. In the book of Daniel, the Lord reveals to us a period of 70 weeks, and that each week is equal to seven years of time.
5. The first 69 weeks have already been fulfilled which total 483 prophetic year count, from the decree to restore Jerusalem until the Messiah rode into Jerusalem as a sacrifice for our sins.
6. After the 69 weeks in Daniel there is a gap in time, leaving the 70th week, which is the final seven years, that ends with the second coming of Christ to the earth to start the new millennium.
The purpose of Daniel 70th week
To finish the Transgressions (Rebellion)
To put an end to Sin
To atone for wickedness
To bring an everlasting righteousness
To seal up all vision and prophecy
To anoint the Most Holy
The Bible tells us what signs to watch for that will start the seven-year countdown, and also what will take place in the middle of these seven years.
Read: Daniel 9 and Matthew 24
Everything as we have known it has changed and will continue to change. For this is the time of the Lord’s return.
The Lord established feast days for us to follow that would point us to Christ as the Messiah.
Feast Days
Spring Holy Days Fall Holy Days
Passover - Jesus death Trumpets
Unleavened Bread - Jesus Burial Day of Atonement
First Fruits - Jesus Resurrection Tabernacle
Pentecost - Holy Spirit
The Spring feasts have all been fulfilled, the Fall Feasts will fulfill His second coming.
While the world trembles in fear and uncertainty, we who have this hope will walk in peace, knowing that our redemption is near.