Are we living in the end times? This is a question that is often at the back of our minds but seldom do we give extensive thought to it.

I think many Christians would recognise that we are currently near the tail end of history. Among others, the events in Ukraine and the Middle East, not to mention the grand movement of giant nations throughout the world, fits in very closely with End Times Biblical Prophecies. 

What does this mean for us, however, and what is our response? Last Sunday, Ps George of Kajang Assembly of God shared a message directed at this crucial question. It’s a very timely and incredibly relevant subject, not just for us but also for our loved ones. Ps George counseled that we must not be complacent. 

 

 

World Events Mirroring Biblical Prophecies 

In his sermon, Ps George shared to some extent how world events, especially in the recent months, are reflecting the eschatological prophecies in the Bible. While this article will not go too much into this area specifically, two passages that are particularly pertinent to the events during these Last Days are Matthew 24 and Ezekiel 38. Just as the prophecies regarding the birth of Jesus were accurate, we can be sure that the ones about the Second Coming will come to pass.

 

Matthew 24:3-8

New International Version

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Matthew 24:36

New International Version

The Day and Hour Unknown

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:44

New International Version

44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

 

Matthew 24:7 speaks about the beginnings of birth pains just before the Second Coming of Christ. Today, many of these birth pains have already manifested themselves. Nations war against nations, the Russian-Ukrainian war especially indicative of events taking place in the future that will be as described in Ezekiel 38, and of Gog and Magog. Among the details described in this passage are an alliance between Persia, Cush, and Put (ancient names of Iran, parts of Egypt and Sudan, and Libya) with a great force from the far north. 

 

Ezekiel 38

For the full passage of Ezekiel 38, please refer to https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2038&version=NIV

There are many commentaries on this passage, a large number of which the reader may find online. Here, we only identify the nations based on the ancient name and historical location of the respective nations and their modern counterparts. Link to one commentary: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/csc/ezekiel-38.html

 

This whole campaign by the alliance between Gog and various nations against Israel will culminate in the Battle of Armageddon where Christ will come again for the second time and triumph over the nations. We also hear of earthquakes in places that have never experienced them in the past and the increase in famine and food crisis throughout the world. As we see the increase in these birth pains and as these things heighten in intensity, we know that the Lord’s coming is imminent. 

Ps George conveyed that though we may see the unfolding of these events taking place, we should not be fearful.

 

 

What do these Birth Pangs mean for us?

If we believe in the pre-tribulation rapture and what is described in Ezekiel 38 begins at the beginning of the tribulation, the church is taken out from the Earth before then, Ps George shared. Many of us hold on to pre-tribulation rapture and though people are divided as to when the rapture will happen, there is ample Scripture that supports a rapture before the Great Tribulation. 

 

 

In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Paul encourages us Christians to wait for His Son from Heaven, Jesus, who will rescue us from the coming wrath. Paul reinforces this in 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, where he wrote that God did not appoint us to suffer His wrath. Another passage can be found in Revelation 3:10, where there is the phrase ‘keep you from’ which has the connotation ‘out of’ in the original Greek which refers to us not going through the period of Tribulation:

 

Revelation 3:10

New International Version

10 Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

 

The Rapture is very near and the Lord is coming back for a people without blemishes. Walk closely with the Lord, Ps George encouraged. While there are many signs before the Second Coming, the Rapture is going to be sudden and without warning. There are no signs before the Rapture.  

Just as in the days of Noah and Lot, the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ will take people by surprise. There will be many who will be unprepared for these events. Jesus warns His disciples and us (Luke 17: 26-32) that though we are in the world, we must not be of the world. Remember Lot’s wife who had her heart in Sodom so much that she could not bear to leave the city behind. 

 

 

What Is Our Response/Take-away?

1 Chronicles 12:32 tells us of the men of Issachar. They had an understanding of the times and seasons and acted prudently. They acted with insight and foresight. ’When we understand the things that are happening and why – Jesus Christ is coming back to judge the world – you and I need to sit up and we must be like the sons of Issachar who knew what to do,’ Ps George exhorted. We know that Jesus is returning soon. What then should we do?

 

1. Be Watchful

Firstly, be watchful. Luke 21: 34-36 warns us not to let the day catch us unawares like a trap. We are to keep ourselves alert at all times and to be careful from letting our hearts be dulled from overindulgence. Keep a constant watch on His return. 

Ps George shared that so much time has been spent speculating on the exact day of the Lord’s return but that we don’t have to do this. Just look for the signs, keep our eye on the Word of God, and always keep our eyes focused on Heaven. We are not meant to know the exact day and time but we can wait expectantly. Live our lives as if Jesus is returning today. How would we live our lives if we know we are going to meet the King of kings today?

 

 

2. Keep Working for the Lord

Secondly, keep working for the Lord. Don’t let our love for the Lord grow cold. Cultivate a lifestyle of intimacy with the Lord. Keep our hearts on fire for the Lord. Don’t allow the cares of the world to weigh us down. 

Heaven is also not our only goal. We have work to do here. God has called us to love people, love our families, our spouses, our communities, and even people outside of the church. ‘God has given each of us different talents and abilities,’ Ps George encouraged. Use the gifts and talents God has given us for the extension of His kingdom. 

 

 

3. Share Christ at every Opportunity

Thirdly, share Christ at every opportunity. ‘During the Great Tribulation, God is going to pour out His wrath on those unbelieving people,’ Ps George expressed. ‘And when we know, when we see the judgment that is going to come upon the unbelieving world, all the suffering and different judgment that is described in the Bible, it should put us in a position where we are concerned about those who are not going to be raptured. They are going to be left behind, and we should do our part to share Christ with people who do not know the Lord, even now. Now is the favourable time, now is the day of salvation. So we need to take every opportunity to share Christ. Never give up on the proclamation of the Gospel.’

 

 

God is doing a shaking of the Earth and it will begin with the church. He will first begin His work in the church – the house of God. God will be doing a purification and cleansing of His people. ‘We need to be excited,’ Ps George exhorted. 

The Rapture is so near and we need to awaken from our slumber and be prepared. 

 

YouTube Video of Ps George’s Sermon

Note: As with all messages dealing with eschatological matters, we recognise that interpretations may differ from person to person. The sermon and this article takes the approach of literal interpretation of scriptures in the Bible. While we recognise that interpretation may differ, we share a common recognition with many Christians that we are living in the End Times. Both sermon and article are intended to guide Christians to navigate these interesting times. The article was written with the kind permission and assistance of Ps George. 

Disclaimer: This is a Christian article of a Christian sermon, written through the lens of our understanding of the times and seasons according to Scripture. It is not meant to impinge on any beliefs or any identity of any person. 

 

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