10 Things Christians Should Know about the End Times

Admin Tue 13 Aug 2019, 9:44 am

[url=https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/end-times/10-things-christians-should-know-about-the-end-times.html?utm_source=&utm_campaign=Daily Disciples - crosswalk.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2901301&bcid=aca0ec8e3bea4e78ac0738d678528c86&recip=488938472]10 Things Christians Should Know about the End Times[/url]
DiAne Gates
10 Things Christians Should Know about the End Times
Whether you hold a pre-trib, mid-trib, or whatever rapture point of view, 1,923 years ago God gave these last words to believers, so that we would know, understand, and be prepared for the end of our lives or the end of this age—whichever comes first. The message to the church is clear: we’d best be about the Father’s business. That means praying in the name of Jesus that He would change men’s hearts and spreading the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ—not sitting on our pompous piety, waiting for the trumpet and deliverance from the presence of evil.
God’s first judgment came by water, but the coming and final judgment will be by fire. God still offers mercy, grace, and pardon because of the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, to all who hear, believe, and trust Him for forgiveness.
“From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.” (John 13:19)

1. God's clock has been ticking almost two-thousand years.
1. God's clock has been ticking almost two-thousand years.
In approximately 95 A.D., God shined His spotlight on the glorified Christ and Jesus gave instructions to the Apostle John to write His final words to the Church—past, present, and future. He promises a particular blessing to those who read, hear, and heed His words, “…for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Precious one, the Last Days or End Times, began with the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
In Revelation 1:10-19, we see Jesus walking among the lamp stands, dictating to John His affirmations and reprimands to these seven churches. With this last book, The Word of God was completed. Two of the churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, received no reprimands. The believers at Smyrna were being tested and crushed, but Jesus encouraged them to be faithful until death and He would give them the crown of life. Believers in Philadelphia had not denied Christ’s name and had kept the word of His perseverance. Jesus promised to keep them from the hour of testing. Those who overcame, He said would become pillars in the temple of God in the New Jerusalem.
I pray you attend a likeness of one of these two churches. But, what if you don’t?
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…”(Hebrews 1-2a)

2. Some churches will turn away.
2. Some churches will turn away.
The church at Ephesus had done many things right, but they had “…left their first love.” (Revelation 2:4) Jesus is our first and only love. Without His vibrant love alive in us, we might as well close the doors and go home; we’re playing church. Do those visiting your church see the love and power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated in the membership? Those Ephesus believers were instructed to repent and return or their lamp stand would be removed. This same warning applies to churches today.
The church at Pergamum allowed a strangle-hold of false theology. Jesus said they dwelled in the place of Satan’s throne. They tolerated the false teaching of Balaam and were stumbling blocks to those who looked to them for truth. Jesus told them to repent or He would make war with the sword of His mouth. I’m sure the winds of false teachings and slothful, ignorant-of-the-Word church members still try the patience of our Lord.
Both of these churches were given an opportunity to repent and return. Christ’s door of repentance and mercy is still open.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.”(Revelation 2:7)

3. Some churches will tolerate idolatry and immorality.
3. Some churches will tolerate idolatry and immorality.
The church at Thyatira could be anywhere in the U.S.A. They tolerated the woman, Jezebel. This one from Thyatira called herself a prophetess who led God’s bondservants into immorality and eating things sacrificed to idols. I’m sure you’re thinking, we don’t sacrifice things to idols. How about your children, to idols of immorality and unbelief? That could be Hollywood, sports, or anything you deem more important than their education in the Word of God. This church refused to rebuke the woman. But not everyone had succumbed to her teachings: Jesus told them to hold fast until He comes. Our Lord tells of her outcome as well as the outcome of those who followed her—unless they repented. (Revelation 2:18-29)
Jesus told the liberal church at Sardis they were dead. He shouted, “Wake up!” Pay attention and take hold of the things that remain. They were incomplete, but Jesus still gave them the opportunity to repent. And to those who had not soiled their garments, He promised they would walk with Him in white garments…for they are worthy.
Let's wake up, repent, and return to finish strong before Jesus comes and finds us drowning in Satan’s lies.
“He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father; and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(Revelation 3:5-6)

4. Some churches will be lukewarm.
4. Some churches will be lukewarm.
The last church type is the spit-it-out-My-mouth, lukewarm, Laodicean church. (Revelation 3:16) They were wealthy and thought they needed nothing. Jesus called them “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17) Jesus said, “Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:16) Yet, Jesus even gave this church body the opportunity to repent, to overcome. Amazing.
We must be diligent to search our hearts. Be vigilant to listen, hear, and heed Jesus’ words, lest He comes and finds us lacking.
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:19-20)
Photo Courtesy: Guillaume Bolduc/Unsplash
5. There will be signs that signal the beginning of the end.
5. There will be signs that signal the beginning of the end.
Before He went to the cross, Jesus told us to watch for certain signs which would signal the beginning of the birth pangs: false messiahs, wars and rumors of war, famines, and earthquakes. This birthing is well underway.
He said believers will be delivered to tribulation and killed. Christians will be hated by all nations on account of His name. Today, we witness more world-wide torture and brutal murders of people because of their faith in Jesus than any other time in history. False prophets thrive. Lawlessness increases. Love for others grows cold. We all can give testimony of warning signs exploding around us.
The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world, then the end shall come.
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken…but when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28)