SIGNS AND WARNINGS
Let me be clear, we are living in the Church Age. This is not a time to come, but it is now and has been for the past 2,000 years. So, many of the signs and warnings have taken place and will take place during this time. How long is the Church Age to last? It began during the time of the acts of the Apostles, and has continued until now, and will continue until the Rapture of the Church.
God’s Word – gives us signs
In His Word, the Bible, God has given us many warnings regarding the End Times. Warnings come to us as signs or occurrences and when all combined should warn us of what is ahead. These warnings are concerning the coming of the End of Times or the End of Age. End Times refers to the time in human history, which God ordained, that signals a change of our age. It is when the ownership of the world will finally return to Christ, as God had ordained. However, this changeover will be a time of difficulty, unspeakable horrors, and unbelievable destruction, as Satan will fight against Christ’s reign.
Rapture is the Trigger and Final Sign
The rapture of the church is the final sign regarding the End Times.
End Times will be triggered by the Rapture of believers in Jesus Christ (the Church). They include:
- the period after the Rapture and before the start of the Tribulation (an unknown period – it could be days, weeks, months, or years; Tim Lahay and Dr. Thomas Ice),
- the seven years of Tribulation, and
- the Battle of Armageddon that completes the End Times, when Christ returns and is victorious.
Then the New Heaven and New Earth begin when we realize the Millennial Kingdom, where Christ rules as our eternal king.
We Prepare and Work
In the meantime, we are instructed to be prepared and work for the Kingdom of God. Our faith must be strong and unwavering. We cannot be swayed by the world, but be aware of what is going on in the world. So, be prepared as if Christ is returning in a minute, but work and prepare as if he’s not coming back for a thousand years.
God has told us about the things to come and has given us signs, so we are prepared and not caught unawares. He knows we tend to doubt, to ignore, or to just not believe. So, he gives us many signs over a longer time, but these signs become more frequent and more significant as the end draws near.
Here are some scripture verses regarding God’s signs and timing.
John 4:48
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
Matthew 24:3
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 24:36
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:27
For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
In conclusion,
Nobody knows the time… not even Jesus.
So, we need to be ready, but we also need to be aware.
We may be surprised by the timing… but we will not be shocked and unprepared.
Thank you for reading.
Blessings,
Jana
References:
Tim Lahaye and Thomas Ice. Charting the End Times
https://www.amazon.com/Charting-End-Times-Understanding-LibraryTM/dp/0736901388