TEOTWAWKI — or The End of The World As We Know It — is here! And the amazing thing is that Jesus foretold it almost 2000 years ago! The problem is, not enough people are taking this seriously. We could say that the COVID-19 pandemic was an end of the world as we knew it, but that’s not over yet. As of this writing, there are several strains of COVID mutating into viruses that are more virulent — that is, more contagious and spreads faster, affects children more and who knows what else. The vaccines are coming out, but it will be a long time before we see… 1. if they work in stopping the spread and 2. if everyone will take it.
These prophecies are also found in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, but let’s see what Luke has to say about them…
Luke 21
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.
3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Jesus Speaks about the Future
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things [you see] will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
This prophecy came true, literally, in 70 AD, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them.
False prophets and teachers have been infiltrating the church since the time of the Book of Acts (we’ll be studying that next!). Paul, James, John and Peter warned us. Which is why we need the Holy Spirit to help us discern if what is being preached is the truth or not. (Related: The Roman Catholic Church Doesn’t Teach the Truth.)
9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Look at what’s happening in the Middle East… Also, note that the Greek word for “nation” is “ethnos” — which is where we get our word “ethnicity” from. So, we have ethnic groups going up against ethnic groups all over the world and in the U.S., too.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
This December 28, will be the 1 year anniversary of the first earthquake in Puerto Rico and it hasn’t stopped shaking daily since then! Just this week, there has been a swarm of 77 earthquakes in the region of southwest Puerto Rico. The quakes range from 2.5 – 4.8 in magnitude.
And, of course, we have the “Corona Apocalypse” with the pandemic or plague that won’t go away. We’ve also had swarms of locusts eating up crops in Africa and the Middle East and Murder Hornets killing honey bees in the American and Canadian Northwest.
12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
The persecution of Christians, like the false prophets, started with the birth of the church in as told in the Book of Acts. Persecution still goes on today. Check out The Voice of the Martyrs. And just this week, Boko Haram killed 7, abducted 7, and burned a church in Nigeria on Christmas Eve.
20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. 24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
These are more details on the prophecy of the sacking of Jerusalem that happened in 70 AD. The Romans did capture many Jews as slaves and took them all over the world.
What is the “period (or time) of the Gentiles”?
That is right now — or the Church Age. A Gentile is anyone who is not Jewish. You’ll see in the Book of Acts, as God wants the Good News of Jesus’ salvation to be preached to not just the Jews (who rejected Jesus), but also to the Gentiles. That was Paul’s ministry — and mine.
The time of the Gentiles started ending in 1948, when Israel became its own sovereign nation. Here’s a video by Amir Tsarfati of Behold Israel explaining what this all means…
25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.
This is the second coming of Jesus — NOT the rapture. After the rapture — that’s when all the born-again Christian believers will be caught-up and taken away to meet Jesus in the sky — those left behind WILL have a second chance! However, they will have to live through and survive the Great Tribulation.
28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
Only born-again believers will be saved from the Great Tribulation because Jesus will come for them in the rapture.
29 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.
Luke 21 NLT
“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
Jesus said it! His words will never disappear. Especially if they are ingrained in our hearts! That’s what He wants. That is the goal of every follower of Jesus Christ.
Do You Follow Jesus?
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…
Soli Deo Gloria! To God Alone Be the Glory!
Just in case all that didn’t convince you, read this: Top 10 Bible Prophecies Coming True Right Now!
