What Does The Bible Say About End Times?
Regardless of what your views are about eschatology, or the study of end times, one thing is for sure—it is coming, and it has been ticking for more than two thousand years already. Believers are blessed to have the Bible since we are warned about what is to come in the end times. In fact, the opening words of the Book of Revelation are, “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.). God gave us the Bible for us to understand the end times. His message to the church regarding end times should bring not only gloom and fear into our hearts, but also joy, peace, and hope.
The end times are sure to come and it is vital that we continue spreading the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We cannot afford to just go about our lives without spreading the good news that Jesus brings. The Book of Revelation is full of symbolism, and there are verses or passages that are very hard to grasp, but this doesn’t mean that we no longer put extra effort into understanding what God is saying about the end times. There is much debate about what, how, and when they will come; you can find Christians who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, and there are those who believe in mid-tribulation. There are also those who believe in premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. Theologians and Biblical scholars may have different views regarding eschatology, but all of them know that the end times are true and sure to come.
Churches Will Turn Away
The Bible tells us that some churches will turn away from the truth. In Revelation 2:4, we learn the church at Ephesus has done many things that are right, however, they have left their first love, and that is Jesus Christ. But God in His grace and mercy gives these churches an opportunity to repent and return. Jesus’s door of mercy and repentance is still open. Jesus said, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious, I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God,” (Revelation 2:7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.).
Approaching the end times, we can also find some churches that will tolerate idolatry and immorality. These churches will start feeding people sinful and immoral teachings. “They permit this woman – that Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess – to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve,” (Revelation 2:18-23). We can also find churches that will turn lukewarm. The Laodicean church is called lukewarm and so they will be spit out from the mouth of Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.).
An Enemy Will Conquer
The Bible also tells us that an enemy will come to conquer. John saw the Living God on His throne, surrounded by the elders, the four living creatures, and the Lamb, the Lion from the Tribe of Judah that takes the scroll with the seals. John heard the heavenly choir singing, and then Jesus Christ breaks the first seal. In Revelation 6:1-2, we can read about a rider with a bow and a crown, on a white horse that goes out to conquer. Daniel tells us about a prince who will rise. This prince is insolent and mighty in power. He is out there who will destroy the holy people or the children of God. Believers don’t have to worry about this enemy since Jesus is for us and we will live together with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
There will also be two witnesses (Revelation 11:3-6) and the unholy trinity during the end times (Revelation 16). Some people will have the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:17). In order for individuals to be able to buy and sell something, they must worship the image of the beast and have their forehead or their right hand inscribed with the number 666. Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb (Revelation 14:9-10).
Jesus Reigns
And then the enemy will be defeated, and Jesus Christ will reign. In Revelation 19:11, we read, “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.” “From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress,” (Revelation 19:15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.). Then, “Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years,” (Revelation 20:4).
The end times might be scary to witness, but this needs to happen. Let us remember what Christ did for us and what He is currently doing for us. Remember that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and He will help us stand firm in our faith, even during end times. Our faith in Jesus Christ should give us strength and wisdom concerning what to do during the end of times. Rejoice! For we will be with Him soon!
