There were three questions posed by Jesus' disciples about the end time signs and events. the first two were dealt with in my earlier articles. Now the third of the three questions was regarding the 'end of the world' (the word 'world' was used in the original King James Version of the bible). The correct translation should be the 'end of the age'. The 'end of the world' will come some one thousand years later at the close of the millennial age.
The one sign that the Lord Jesus highlighted was the 'abomination of desolation' spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan 9:27). This refers to the image of gold that the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar erected for the people to worship him. Those who refused to do so were punished by death on the burning fiery furnace (Dan 3:1-7).
Fast forward to Revelation13:15, the 'image of the beast' is the antichrist which will be placed at the Holy of Holies (the sacred part of the temple of God) for people to bow down and worship during the period of the seven year tribulation. Those who refused will be killed. God has set the typology of the golden image to be the end time image of the antichrist. For that which has been is what will be; that which is done is what will be done. And there is nothing new under the sun. (Eccl 1:9)
Besides this, there are other events that will be fulfilled to usher in the 'end of the age'.
1. The Rapture (1 Thess 4: 13-18)
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1Thess 4:13-18)
The rapture (catching away of the saints to heaven) will be a worldwide event where all the born again believers will disappear from the face of the earth. Their flesh and bones (dead and alive) will be translated into heavenly bodies at the 'twinkling of an eye'. Surely, the world will wake up and take notice of the fact that all Christians have suddenly disappeared without warning or trace of their whereabout. This will be one sure case of 'abduction by aliens' for the uninitiated, except they are 'abducted' by the holy angels of God. We are all forewarned!
All saved believers in Christ who had ever lived since the cross will be transported to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). They will all be required to give an account of their lives individually before the Lord (Rom 14:10,12).
2. The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists
Revelation 7 gives an account of the works of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists who will preach the Gospel of the Kingdom (different from the gospel of grace) as was done during the time when the Lord Jesus walked the earth in the first century. As a result, many will be converted as tribulation saints to enter the Millennium Kingdom of Christ after the seven year tribulation.
The world will certainly take notice of the large numbers of converts happening all over the world.
3. Rise of Antichrist (2 Thess 2)
The coming antichrist will sign a seven year peace treaty with Israel. There will be peace and prosperity in the first half of the seven year period. In the midst of it, there will be persecutions and conflicts as the antichrist will break the covenant and demanded worship and submission. It will eventually lead to the battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16) where Russia will lead her allies (Middle Eastern and Eastern bloc nations) to invade Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth to save Israel from destruction.
In the mayhem, God will send prophet Elijah (who was himself translated to heaven some twenty eight centuries ago) to prophesy for 1,260 days (three-and half years) with great signs and wonders as he had done more than two millenniums earlier. (Rev 11:3) He will come to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers (Mal 4:6). The meaning is not just literal but also spiritual, and that is to reconcile the children of Israel back to God and the Father to accept them again.
Elijah will be killed by those who opposed his mission but he will be raised to life again after lying dead for three-and-half days. Many will witness this event and fear fell upon them. (Rev 11:11)
As Christians we are called to be watchful for the signs that are like shadows appearing on the horizon. Do make the necessary preparations for when they do occurred, it will well be too late!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
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