Ep.1186: Are We Living in the “End Times”?
Discovering factual evidence of our place in biblical prophecy
CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: Daniel 12:1
People believe in the Bible to varying degrees. Some of us see it as the unerring word of God while others see it as an account of history, wisdom and standards. Still others see it as sprinkled with both wisdom and folly. Then we have those who see no value in it at all. For the most part, one of the common threads that all who know something about the Bible seem to share is the belief that it speaks of God’s wrath and apocalyptic events. While these are true perceptions of the Bible, they are by no means a complete picture. How can we know what the "End Times” are and when they start? What kinds of things happen during these times? Is there any tangible proof of the End Times that can establish the credibility of Bible prophecy to the skeptic? Where do we start with all of this?
We live in the End Times
We know this because of prophecies from the Bible. Now, many would say that Bible prophecy can be easily misinterpreted. It does often speak in symbolic terms about some nebulous future time and proclaims some event that is hard to understand. So, we can see where such skepticism comes from. Yet, we know that Bible prophecy is sound. What if there were some prophecies that were able to be understood because the facts of our day support them? What if these prophecies could be accepted not because they are from the Bible, but because they are obvious and in plain sight?
There are such prophecies!
In the 12th chapter of Daniel, he is prophesying about the End Times. We all know that according to the Bible, the End Times are a time of significant change. Daniel’s prophecy includes the statement that humanity will be “running to and fro and knowledge will be increased.”
These ideas can be perceived as over-generalized conjecture until we look at the facts. In his book Critical Path, (1982) Buckminster Fuller coined the phrase “Knowledge Doubling Curve.” He reported that worldwide knowledge was thought to have doubled once every century until 1900. By the end of World War II, it was thought to be doubling every 25 years. Now it is thought to double every 13 months! Surely, anyone viewing these facts must admit we live in a unique time of increasing knowledge never before experienced!
As dramatic as this factual confirmation of prophecy is, there is even stronger and more compelling evidence that biblically proves where we are in the stream of time. Check out our July 12, 2021 podcast, “Are We Living in the 'End Times'?" for more. We lay out numerous details of the Daniel 12 prophecy already mentioned. We carefully examine another crystal clear and often-repeated biblical prophecy that points to the present time as well. Ours is a remarkable time in history as we witness Bible prophecy unfolding. Join us and see for yourself what historical specifics we should know about and what current events we should be watching.
Thanks Rick & David for this wonderful study. So there’s no need to worry because God is in control. Thanks for answering my question!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. May the Lord bless your studies! – Christian Questions
I enjoyed this presentation. Thank you.
We appreciate your taking the time to write. It is exciting to see prophecy unfolding around us! – Christian Questions
There is a difference between Israel and Judah. Read Genesis 48,49, Deuteronomy 33. Ephriam the British Commonwealth, Manasseh the US, Zebulon the Dutch, Issachar the 2-3 countries that are considered the Dutch but speak a different language and use a different currency. Gad the French ect ect… He makes a clear distinction between the two in the Old Testament. Peter also addressed The dispersed before the Roman exile of Judah. The feast of tabernacles when the priest joins the two sticks together is symbolic for the rejoining of Israel and Judah. No more two nations but one. I don’t have room to type all the details but, read it and pray for understanding. Great show right here.
Wonderful study and very exciting!
Thank you for taking the time to comment. We also found this study very exciting! – Christian Questions
“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
The question the disciples asked was,
“What is the sign of thy parousia and the consummation of the age.”
What is it in the passage that leads people to believe Mathew 24 is only for Jews?
The entire context of Mathew 24 between verse 3 and verse 31 is Christs’ answer to the question….
WHEN shall these things be. (one stone on? top of another) WHAT shall be the sign of they coming. WHAT shall be the sign of the “consummation of the age.”
Thank you for your comments, Jim. We also recommend listening to: Ep.1364: Is the Gospel a Success or a Failure?
Learning how and when the gospel touches disciples and unbelievers
While Matthew 24 primarily addresses the immediate fate of the Jewish nation and its temple in its initial verses, the prophecy rapidly expands to cover two stages of judgment that involve both Israel and then the entire world through the “time of trouble” and Jesus’ overall return.
Matthew 24 begins with Jesus speaking directly about events relevant to his immediate Jewish audience, particularly concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age of Jewish favor. The prophecy begins when the disciples asked Jesus about the Temple buildings. Jesus answered by predicting the complete destruction of the Temple (“not one stone here will be left upon another”). This event historically culminated in AD 70.
The first stage: Jesus’ first advent involved casting judgment upon Israel and paying the ransom price for all. This period, the ending of the age of Jewish favor, culminated with the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus had previously cast off Israel by lamenting, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem… Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!” The prophecies immediately preceding Matthew 24 concerned the Jewish leaders and the nation’s spiritual failure.
While the initial context is Jewish, the core of Matthew 24’s prophecy describes events far broader than first-century Israel, encompassing the time of trouble and the full return of Jesus that affects all humanity.
The second stage: Associated with Jesus’ second advent, the purpose of this stage is to cast judgment on the governments and false religious systems of the world, applying the ransom price and ultimately saving all of mankind through resurrection and the day of judgment.
Matthew 24:21–22 describes a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. The purpose of shortening those days is “for the sake of the elect.” This time of trouble is clearly worldwide and affects all aspects of everyone’s lives.
The disciples asked about the sign of Jesus’ coming (Parousia – presence) and the “end of the age.” This refers to the close of the Gospel Age and the transition to the age of God’s kingdom. Jesus provides cautions throughout Matthew 24 to his followers about maintaining awareness. The parables in Matthew 25 (which immediately follow and are part of the same dialogue) illustrate the expectations for the true disciples of Jesus during the time of his absence and return.
The gospel of the kingdom is to be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). Therefore, while the initial prophecy of Matthew 24:1-3 relates specifically to the destruction of the Temple and Israel’s rejection, the subsequent prophecy detailing the Great Tribulation and the signs of Jesus’ presence applies to the entire world. The prophecy uses the fate of Israel as the contextual starting point for a larger, global plan of judgment and restitution. – Christian Questions