CHAPTER 1. WAKE UP THE END IS NEAR..

I would like to post a chapter by chapter booklet entitled End Time Warning I wrote just over 15 years ago. I have left out the introduction as I have shared some of that in previous posts.If you are stirred or challenged in anyway by the writings, please feel free to share with whom ever you would like. Grace be with you all.

CHAPTER ONE 

WAKE UP THE END IS NEAR!       

The end times, have always been a topic that have stirred emotions in believers. Perhaps, for reasons we may not want known. Mostly, it is due to the fact, that we equate tribulation and suffering to these times. We don’t like the idea that we might be here during the tribulation spoken of, in the book of Revelation in particular. Other Old testament prophets speak of those times. 

Yeshua, the Messiah, has forewarned us of coming catastrophic events that will take place on this earth before He returns. It has been a tragedy that certain teachings that have arisen in the church, are a cause of a lack of sobriety amongst believers. Thus, we refrain from considering the reality of the end times. It certainly is not pleasing to God that we walk in darkness as to the times and seasons we are living in. To act like we are ignorant, (ignorance is not bliss), is to do ourselves a disservice and open us to deception. To turn a blind eye, is to add to our ignorance, which can be very costly. We are at times, our own worst enemies. We are called to walk as children of the Light.

“For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of the light – lead the lives of those native - born to the light”. (Ephesians. 5 verse 8)

Let us look at another scripture,

“But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to take you by surprise like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day, we do not belong either to the night or to the darkness. Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected and circumspect). For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But we belong to the day, therefore let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation”. (1 Thessalonians 5 verses 4 – 8)

These scriptures reveal to us, with an authority that comes from heaven, what type of mindset we are to display in our sojourn here on this earth. It definitely is a call to sobriety, as these days can overtake us, if we are not watching and waiting as we ought. We cannot afford to be casual in our walk with God, in particular, these last days. The stratagems of the enemy have increased a hundredfold to deceive us. It is most imperative that we wake up out of any stupor that we find ourselves in, as the end is nearer than when we first believed.

“Watch therefore – give strict attention, be cautious and active – for you do not know in what kind of a day (whether a near or remote one) your Lord is coming. But understand this: that had the householder known in what part of the night or in the morning watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken through. You also must be ready therefore; for the Son of man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him”. (Matthew 24: 42 – 44)

Watching and being alert, being attentive, being prepared, are all the same descriptions of a frame of heart and mind we are required to be in during this time. Why? So that we are not taken unawares or caught being asleep, as this will be the state of many. One thing is absolutely certain, we have no excuse if, we are taken unawares as to the unfolding events of these last days. Many believers would rather not hear about these last days events. Perhaps, it is because in their own hearts, they realise their own lack of preparation or, they are confused by the so many diverse interpretations that exist. There most certainly needs to be an awakening to the reality of these end times, by the whole body of Christ. It is not a grievous thing to repeat again, the Lord God has no pleasure in our walking in darkness, we are children of the Light, and we must walk as such.

The Jews of Jesus day did not recognise Him as the Messiah of God. They were not aware of the unfolding prophetic events before their very eyes. Very God chose at an appropriate and opportune time in the history of mankind to come and visit this planet, in the Person of His Son to bring salvation to them. Because of their ignorance, they rejected Him. Read in Luke 19 verse 44 and in John 1 verse 10 and 11.

We, that have the scriptures available and taking the time to read and study them, will see events that have been foretold, which are unfolding  before our very eyes. The Spirit of God will grant understanding to those who are wise and they shall understand.

“But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Then many shall run to and fro and search anxiously (through the Book), and knowledge of God’s purposes as revealed by His prophets shall be increased and become great”. (Daniel 12 verse 4.)

The prophet Daniel being encountered by two men, (angels), was told to go his way; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. See chapter 12 and verse 9. We are living in the time of the end where, the words that were sealed up will be revealed. What those words are, will be made known and I am sure they will pertain to these end times. Are we aware of the brevity these times hold? 

The days of putting our feet up in front of the television set, drinking coke and eating whatever is available to us, are soon to be over. There is coming upon all who dwell on the entire face of the earth, a time of trouble, not yet experienced and never will be again. It will be a time of devastation and destruction, of intolerable anguish and unprecedented trouble. If those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved.

“And there shall be a time of trouble, straitening and distress; such as never was since there was a nation till that time”.   (Daniel 12 verse 1)

The Lord Jesus alludes to this time Himself.

“For then there will be great tribulation – affliction, distress and oppression – such as not been from the beginning of the world until now; no, and never will be again. And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure and survive; but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened”. (Matt. 24 verses 21 – 22)

This does not apply to the land of Israel only, although much of the goings on will be centred around Jerusalem. This will be worldwide, no nation exempt. The influence of the antichrist will be global.  

The period that is given will be for 42 months or 3.5 years. Just how intense that time will be God only knows, but one thing is for certain it is going to require faith and patience to endure to the end. Most people will be given over to the ruling system of the day and come under its authority being subject to its spirit. This spirit, is none other than satan himself. God has been and still is speaking to His people. If we have ears to hear, then we must hear what the Spirit is saying.

“And then many will be offended and repelled and begin to distrust and desert (Him whom they ought to trust and obey) and will stumble and fall away, and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold, because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity. But he who endures to the end will be saved”.  (Matt. 24 verses 10 – 13)

Have you noticed recently, how cold, even lukewarm many believers are becoming? Why? Because of multiplied lawlessness and iniquity that is on the increase. This condition of lawlessness has primarily to do with the forsaking of God’s laws, His instructions, His Kingdom ways. This in turn, affects the outward laws of the land and people become lawless throughout. When this condition arises, that is lawlessness increases, people become desperate, throwing off restraint and begin to think and eventually act wickedly. The same spirit of lawlessness pervades all aspects of society, even the church. We have been given an injunction directly from the Lord Himself, to watch and be ready, to be on our guard.

“But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed – weighed down - with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self indulgence, drunkenness and worldly worries and cares pertaining to (the business of) this life and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; for it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. Keep awake then and watch at all times (that is, be discreet, attentive and ready); praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things (taken together) that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of man”.

(Luke 21 verses 34 – 36)

To ‘escape all these things’ does not mean to be raptured away from them, but to flee away from them so as not to be caught up by them. Make no mistake, many are being caught up by the pressures that are coming upon the whole world and are giving in to them. God’s purpose for us in tribulation and pressure, is not to make us weak and destroy us. Rather, it is to refine, purge and cleanse us, to make us strong in His strength. The testing of our faith is so that we might learn endurance and unless we have endured to the end, we have not endured.

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort, or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be (people) perfectly and fully developed (with no defects), lacking in nothing”.  (James 1 verses 2 – 4)

What manner these trials come, is the divine will and purpose of God. Take note, God does not tempt His people. He does allow us to be tested, yet, He will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to endure. It may seem that way at times. The measurement of the trials vary according to the degree we pass the test, until we are fully developed.

Many tests will come again and again, until we have submitted to His Lordship and Headship. God is not some vindictive creator wanting to create havoc in our lives merely because He has nothing better to do. Nor is He a puppet master, that manipulates His creatures into submission.  He loves us with a love beyond the depths of our understanding. He knows exactly how to prepare us for times of trouble and difficulty. 

So saints, be prepared, tribulation will come and we will enter into it as part of God’s design to perfect us, thus bringing us individually and corporately to full maturity. Rather be prepared and it does not happen than not prepared and it does happen.