Bible Study Week 11
Part 4
Signs of the End Time
Olivet Disclosure
Mathew 24 is of great significance when studying the end time. After Jesus predicted the fall of Jerusalem, His disciples asked Him privately while sitting on the Mount of Olives, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Mathew 24:3).
Jesus outlined several things of major consequence that would happen in the last days. People can now understand from the fulfillment of many of the signs that the coming of the Lord is drawing near.
Before enumerating these happenings, Jesus gave a severe warning, saying, "Take heed that no man deceive you" (Mathew 24:4).
Listed below are the events of the end time as Jesus spoke them.
"Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many" (verse 5). There are hundreds of different types of religions today, from Easter religions to watered-down denominationalism; from radio and television voices to staid, beautiful cathedrals.
People can easily be deceived and led astray if they do not have a basic knowledge of the Word of God. "Take heed that no man deceive you". Jesus said, "The truth shall make you free".
"Wars and rumors of wars" (verse 6). "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (verse 7). The twentieth century has seen two major world wars unprecedented in human history and countless smaller wars. Numerous wars are being fought at any given time. This continues on into the twenty-first century.
"Famines, and pestilence" (verse 7). Record dry spells have been recorded in many places, while floods have ravaged some normally dry lands. With drought has come famine to many areas of the world. Famines, diseases, and epidemics have killed millions. "Earthquakes in divers places" (verse 7) Destructive earthquakes have become more numerous and severe. Geologists and seismologists claim there will be even more sever earthquakes in the days ahead.
"Marrying and giving in marriage" (verse 38). In the United States the divorce rate has risen to about 50 percent of marriages. This is not just true in the US but is true in many nations of the world.
People continue to go in their normal pursuits of life, thinking that things will always go on as before, not realizing that Jesus is coming soon.
>>> What are some examples of end-time prophecy being fulfilled that you have seen?
Paul's Warning about the Last Days
Paul wrote to Timothy about the perilous conditions of the last days, giving several signs: "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent [not restraining physical appetites], fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (II Timothy 3:2-5). Paul then gave a direct warning: "From such turn away".