We see it in the news it seems like every minute of the day. Each time we look on social media or open our phones, there’s a notification of breaking news. Each one more horrible than the last one. Friend, all this is part of the experience of living in the Last Days. When did the “Last Days” start? Is it going to get worse? What is the answer? Let’s dig in…
Are we Living in the Last Days?
Yes, we are.
When did they start?
Some Bible Prophecy scholars say that they started on May 14, 1948, when Israel become a nation. That fulfilled several Old Testament prophecies. Others say that they started much earlier, at the start of Jesus’ ministry, around 27 AD. Another way to look at it is the Last Days started with Jesus’ ministry, but have accelerated since 1948. Either way, we, in 2022, are living in the Last Days.
Is there a difference between Last Days and End Times?
Yes. I’ll explain the difference in more detail in a future post (Subscribe so you don’t miss out!). However, the End Times are still in the future — not yet. They do get interchanged, but according to the Bible, there is a difference.
Why is There so Much Evil?
Evil’s been around forever. This video from The Bible Project explains how The Satan, or the Adversary, came into the lives of humans way back in the Garden of Eden…
In other words, good vs evil, has been around just about forever. The next question is, why does it seems to be getting worse and worse?
The Age of Technology and Instant News
Way back before we could pull out our smartphones and watch a live-stream from around the world, we had to wait for a newspaper, a radio or TV broadcast for the news. Not all news got through. Yet, we knew that evil existed each time a bad person did something from stealing, to vandalism, to murder.
Just as we take advantage of technology, so does Satan and his cronies. He has evolved with the times just as we have. He is tricky, deceitful, a liar, a schemer, just waiting for that foothold to let him into our lives, our government and our church.
Nonetheless, it all started way back in Genesis when Satan tempted Eve, she fell for his lie, then Adam fell for her convincing…
God cursed Satan…
“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
Genesis 3:15 NLT
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
Some Bible versions have instead of hostility, “enmity”, which means hatred, or rivalry — THE enemy of God. Obviously, it’s God vs Satan. What Satan wants is to stop the Kingdom of God from happening. He wants to rule forever. God is allowing him free reign to a point — for now. Let’s see what Jesus had to say about this. We find it in Luke 17 and 21, Mark 13 and here’s Matthew 24…
The scene takes place on the Mount of Olives where the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him when the temple will be torn down, and when will be the end of the world.
Jesus said…
“Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
Matthew 24: 4-8 NLT (emphasis added)
I’ve never given birth, but I know that the birth pains, or pangs, start off mild and far apart. That’s why when a man wheels his wife into the hospital, the first thing they’re asked is, “How far apart are the contractions?” The shorter the time between pains, the stronger they are until the baby comes into the world.
Likewise, as the “birth pains” that Jesus spoke about increase in strength and frequency, the closer we’ll be to what? Clearly not a happy occasion as the birth of a baby. It will be the end of the church age. Here’s a graphic that explains where we are in Bible Prophecy…
I heard Tom Hughes, one of the Bible Prophecy preachers that I watch say…
“We are in the birth canal!”
Pastor Tom Hughes
Paul wrote…
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!…
13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13 NLT
Satan initiates and the people respond. In fact, Satan is in his heyday. He’s celebrating along with the evil people. There will be increased tragedies, mass killings — and not just in the U.S. — and other crises.
Peter wrote…
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
5 Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.
2 Peter 3:1-8 NLT
It’s going to get worse before Jesus comes back for His born again believers. Expect an increase in…
- sexual immorality — who would have thought that Disney, DISNEY, would be promoting sexual immorality?!
- lawlessness — abject disregard for the law and law enforcement
- deception — even more fake news — it will be harder to discern what is truth
- burning and damaging property — absolutely no respect for peoples’ businesses or homes
- wicked, vicious, demonic, despicable acts
You can’t remain in ignorance. Otherwise, it opens you up to false teachers and teachings. You must be well-rooted in the Word of God and your faith.
Demons are Satan’s Henchmen
Jesus dealt with demons in the Gospels…
What is Morality?
Morality covers ethical behavior. It’s a set of principles that determine how someone acts. A moral person has good ethics, integrity and lives in the righteousness of the Lord. Contrary to that, is the immoral person who lives in greed, pride, vanity, sloth, lust, gluttony, wrath and envy.
“Depravity is a degenerative disease. It doesn’t get better with time. It doesn’t self-correct. Things are getting worse and worse.”
J.B. Hixson, author
Who Do You Belong To? Jesus or the World?
4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
1 John 4:4 NLT
Do YOU have the Holy Spirit in Your Heart?
If you are truly born again, you do! If you’re not sure, then you need to…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…
Here are some podcast episodes from this week that you should listen to…
The Day After the Tragedy in Texas
By the way, I found out today that a guy in my church in Phoenix, AZ, lost his niece in the tragic, senseless, murderous rampage in Uvalde, TX.
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