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Signs of the End
Times
How to Recognize Them
Dr. Roger Barrier
Preach It, Teach It
Dear
Roger,
Here’s
what I thought of after your series on the end of times: You said that discerning
Christians’ will recognize the signs that the end is near… How can I be sure I
am a discerning Christian?
Sincerely,
S
Dear
S,
The
Bible is filled with signs as to what the end times will look like.
Some
signs are so specific we can’t miss them.
For example, in Matthew 24:15-16 Jesus pointed out one
sure sign of the end times: “So when you see standing in the holy place 'the
abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let
the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…”
Jesus
expects His readers to understand the signs of the end. How will we know what
to look for? We study the Scriptures.
First
sign of the End Times
Daniel
7 describes this “abomination” and how to recognize it.
God
told the prophet Daniel that when the end is near, many seemingly enigmatic
verses will become clear.
Probably
because as the events prophesied are increasingly fulfilled, the more clear
other signs will become.
As
Daniel concluded his prophecy in chapter twelve, he asked God to let him in on
the timing of the end-time events.
God deflected his request in verse four: “But you,
Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end…”
(Notice
that when the end is near everything will become more clear).
Daniel then asked the two angels standing nearby, “How
long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”
An angel replied in verse seven, “It will be for a
time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been
finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
The
terms, "time, times and half a time" and the corresponding 3.5
years and 1260 days and 1290 days, are explained in the Book of Revelation.
Daniel confessed in verse eight that he still did not
understand so once again He asked the Lord, "My Lord, what will the
outcome of all this be?"
God replied in verse nine, “Go your way, Daniel,
because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end…. None of
the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand."
So,
rest assured that discerning spiritual men and women in the Body of Christ will
be able to read the signs — and will be happy to share what they see with you.
Notice
I said, “spiritual men and women.”
Jesus
predicted that near the end of time many false individuals will confuse many
(this, of course, is another sign in itself).
But,
don’t stop by depending on the insights of others. Do your own homework.
Be
a biblical “self feeder” and check these things out for yourself.
So
that you won't have to go searching to get started, I've listed below the basic
prophetical books and passages in order to help make your study a little
easier.
Scriptures
that explain the signs and events of the End Times:
The
Psalm of the battle of Armageddon: Nations rage; God laughs; and the exaltation
of Christ as Lord
>
The Book of Daniel
An
over view of God's dealing with human governments
A
time line of events from the days of Daniel, 598 B.C. to Palm Sunday, April 6,
30 A.D.
An
overview of the last seven years before the Second Coming known as the Great
Tribulation which begins with a peace treaty between Israel and a confederation
of European states and ends with the Battle of Armageddon and the return of
Christ
>
Ezekiel 37
The
prophecy of the return of Jews from all over the world to the land of Israel to
reestablish the nation of Israel (the dispersion occurred in 70 A.D. and
against all odds, the return took place in 1948 A.D.)
The
battle between Gog, from the land of the north (Magog), that is directly north
of Jerusalem (Russia??) and the nation of Israel.
Gog,
who is allied with a number of African nations is soundly defeated. The battle
probably occurs before the time of Great Tribulation.
>
Zechariah 12:10-14
The
Israelites weep and repent when they see the nail-scarred hands of Christ at
the second coming.
>
Matthew 24
Known
as the Olivet Discourse, Jesus answers the Disciples' questions about the end
times and the future destruction of Israel.
>
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
A
description of the rapture when Jesus comes "for His saints"
and takes them to Heaven.
The
swiftness and stealth of the Second Coming is detailed.
>
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Beware
of the coming Antichrist who is revealed when he sets up the Abomination of
Desolation.
The
Antichrist has deceptive tools to fool the world.
When
"that which restrains" (either the Holy Spirit or the church)
is removed from earth, the Lord's wrath is unleashed.
>
1 Peter 4:7-11
An
outline of how to behave during the last days
>
2 Peter 2
A
description of wicked men during the last days
The
Second Coming time table is right on schedule. God is not delaying.
"The
elements will be destroyed by fire."
>
Jude
A
picture of the destruction of ungodly men and women at the Second Coming
>
The Book of Revelation
A
three-fold picture of
-
what man does to
destroy mankind (7 Seals);
-
what Satan does
to man (7 Trumpets); and
-
what God does to
mankind (7 Bowls of Wrath)
A
description of the person and ministry of the Antichrist.
The
Battle of Armageddon
The
Great White Throne Judgment
Tossing
Satan into the Abyss of Hell
The
millennium and the new Heaven and Earth
***
So,
"S," in order to read the signs well and not be deceived, I recommend
that you:
- carefully study the Bible passages referring to the
end
- keep an eye on world events
- Listen to spiritual men and women who listen to God
for their insights into "the times of the end."
Finally, remember that Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians
5:4: “But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should
surprise you like a thief…”
I
hope this helps.
Love,
Roger
Editor's Note: Pastor Roger
Barrier's "Ask Roger" column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach
It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in
the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for
laypeople, or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your
questions at roger@preachitteachit.org.
Ask RogerDr. Roger Barrier
recently retired as senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson,
Arizona. In addition to being an author and sought-after conference speaker,
Roger has mentored or taught thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian
leaders worldwide. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his thirty-five-year
career, is a megachurch known for a well-integrated, multi-generational
ministry. The value of including new generations is deeply ingrained throughout
Casas to help the church move strongly right through the twenty-first century
and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion,
theology, and pastoral care. His popular book, Listening to the Voice of God,
published by Bethany House, is in its second printing and is available in Thai
and Portuguese. His latest work is, Got Guts? Get Godly! Pray the Prayer God
Guarantees to Answer, from Xulon Press. Roger can be found blogging at Preach
It, Teach It, the pastoral teaching site founded with his wife, Dr. Julie
Barrier.
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Growing up as an evangelical Christian, there are some words I just never
used... prophetic was one of them. 
I saw this article online at
http://www.theworshiparts.com/worshipartsblog/
My heart for The Worship Studio is that we
would raise up a generation of artists who, under the influence of the Holy
Spirit and able to hear His voice, will respond to Him through their own unique
creative expression. 
![Illustration of Acts 1:4 NLT — Once when [Jesus] was eating with [the disciples], he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before."](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/6485.jpg)