What are the signs?

What are the signs? We are in the church age

The term “last days” refers to the time between Christ’s first and second coming. Heb 1:12
Why look into the end times prophecy? Benware Pamphlet
God is in control, 2. He is good, 3. Holy living(understand the judgements) 4. effects our priorities 5. Gives us hope

Groundwork for End Times prophecy
Abrahamic Covenant tells us that God is not done with Israel. Gen 12
Which helps us to understand the end times events

There are no events that must happen in order for the second coming of Christ to happen, hence “no one knows the or the hour”
“like a thief in the night” We are to be prepared Matt 24:40-44

Major Signs that point to the end…and are things that will happen in the Tribulation Matthew 24:3-6

Increased Apostasy (false teaching) During the tribulation period the main form of apostasy is going to be “The AntiChrist” he will set himself up in the temple to be worshipped. The movement toward apostasy will make people more comfortable with him and his religious system. Mt 24:24 “even the elect if it was possible could be deceived”.

Doctrinal Characteristics of apostasy
-denial of Trinity (Godhead) 1 John 2:22
-denial of the incarnation 1 John 2:23
-denial of His return 2 Peter 3:4
Lifestyle characteristics of apostasy
-When there is warped doctrine there are warped morals
2 Tim 3:1-5
Deception usually takes some time to build up, it is a move away from truth but in a way that is slow and comfortable.

Preparation for the Ecumenical United Religion/church.
Revelation 17 gives us a picture of what the apostate religious system will look like under the name “Mystery Babylon” It will be world wide, have political clout, unfaithful to the truth, appearance of glory on the outside but internally corrupt and will persecute the believers in the tribulation. 2 Thess. 2:4 (antichrist as God)
-Most of the modern day religions refer to Jesus or give Him a prominent place in their theology. Apostate Christiandom

The groundwork for this system will possibly start at the close of the church age.

Political Preparations. Israel Ez. 37 The reestablishment of Israel as a nation and occupying the land. 1948 Israel became a state and now more then 5 million Jewish people are in Palestine.

-Zech. 12:2-3 Talks about how Jerusalem will be attacked and it will be a “heavy stone”. All eyes will be on the Holy land and it will be the center of end times events.
Practically speaking right now, how often are we hearing about the middle east?

-10 nation coalition led by the antichrist. Rev 13.

Technology Dan 12:4 Knowledge of these Prophecies.
The Lightning rod illustration

5. Matt 24:6-7 Wars 194 countries and currently there are 30 armed conflicts, roughly 15%, Famines 25,000 people a day die of Hunger related issues. Pestilences (disease), Modern medicine has claimed control over many diseases but new diseases keep springing up. Earthquakes 130,000 Minor since 1900, 134 strong cat. 7

Are there signs that the next event is closer? Yes, can we pinpoint exact things? We can speculate
The Bottom line is…
Are you ready for it?

Next week we are going to talk about the next event which is the
“Rapture of the church (believers)”