Are We Living In The End Times?

When someone mentions the term "end times", most people think of the events leading up to the end of the world. This thinking is not at all in harmony with what the scriptures teaches us. In fact, the scriptures tell us that this world is without end.

Isa. 45:17 states But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Eph. 3:21 states Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Scripture tells us that this world is without end but scripture also tells us the world was destroyed by flood in the time of Noah. Was the planet itself destroyed? No....it was just covered with water for a period of time. God preserved Noah's family and the animal species by providing a safe haven for them during this time.

When the bible talks about the "latter days", "last days" and the "time of the end", what is being referred to?

Daniel 12:9 states And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Isa. 2:2 states And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Ho. 3:5 states Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. When we read about the "end times" in the bible, the first question that comes to mind is: The end of what? The average person automatically pictures the world going up in flames, but that is not what the bible is referring to when it talks about "the time of the end".

What the bible is actually referring to when it talks about the end of the world is the not the planet's end but the system that the world is currently under. Satan is the current ruler of this present world system. The bible tells us that Jesus Christ is returning to earth to set up an earthly kingdom where Satan will have no place. The end times refers to the end of Satan's rule and the beginning of Christ's rule.

When did Satan's rule begin? In the Garden of Eden when both Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan's lies rather than God's truth. After Adam and Eve tasted of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, they disobeyed God which is sin and listened to the devil's lies. This action has placed all of mankind with a sin nature (pure selfishness) and under Satan's authority (who acted in a very selfish manner when he was Lucifer and wanted to be God).

When did Satan's rule end? When Jesus Christ went to the cross and shed His blood for all of mankind's sin, thus eliminating Satan's authority.

When did the "end times" begin? At the cross when sin was defeated and Satan could no longer hold sinners in captivity. Christ freed mankind from the penalty of sin but the presence of sin is still here. Satan's defeat has not been finalized and he is still allowed to rule the present world system. Mankind still has the same choice that Adam and Eve had: Believe and trust in God (accepting Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross for their sins) or believing Satan's lies (rejecting the Cross).

Mat. 13:40 states As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be at the end of this world.

The "end times" (which refers to the end of Satan's rule and the establishment of God's) began when Jesus laid down his life for mankind's benefit. It won't officially end until Christ has ruled and reigned on the Earth for 1,000 years. It is after the 1,000 year period that Satan is freed from the abyss (subscribe to my newsletter for more details) for the last time to deceive mankind.

There will be a new heaven and a new earth where sin will no longer be present but that simply means the two worlds will be cleansed by fire not destroyed.

What stage of the "end times" are we in? We are nearing a period of time called the tribulation in which Satan will counterfeit the return of Christ and the world will worship the Antichrist. This could occur anytime between now and the year 2070 A.D. likely before this date and not likely after this date.

Jesus is getting ready to set up his earthly kingdom so the church will soon be called home to be judged for works and Israel will face a time of testing in which two thirds of the population will die but the remaining third will come to accept Jesus as their Lord. From Zech. 8 And it shall come to pass that in all the land," saith the LORD, "two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on My name, and I will hear them. I will say, `It is My people'; and they shall say, `The LORD is my God.'"

The "end times" refers to the end of Satan's rule (which is currently allowed by God) and the beginning of God's (His name is Jesus). Are you ready?

A Peculiar Place Read more about the last days and end times.