| 1. Deceit | |
| 2. Shaking, Suffering | |
| 3. Destruction | |
| 4. Blasphemy | |
| 5. Persecution of Christians and Jews | |
| 6. Increasing Wickedness | |
| The Way of Salvation in Christ | |
| The Kingdom of God | |
| A Hymn to Sing |
Scripture reveals much about the last days.
What are its chief characteristics?
1. Deceit
[Contents]
When Jesus spoke with his apostles about the last days the first thing he said
them was "Watch out that no one deceives you." Math 244
A warning he repeated twice more in this instruction. Math 2411, 24
In Dan 823,25 The Lord reveals that a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. ... He will cause deceit to prosper
When the tribulation is complete, Jesus returns and defeats the beast and his religious
'winger'. This false prophet had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. Rev 1920
Clearly we need to take great care in how we respond to miracles. At the end a growing
number of these will be of satanic origin.
During the last 50 years a major delusion has overtaken most of the world. Many
eminent, but foolish deceived scientists / naturalists have declared that God did not create any of the
living creatures or even the physical universe. They claim it all just
happened over millions of years of 'Evolution'. This theory is a lie.
The suppression of the truth of God's fantastic creation has a huge implications:
1. Men are without excuse. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Ro 119,20 Why?
2. Because They deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the
earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God. 2 Pe 36
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host ...
Let all the earth fear the Lord ...
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Ps 336,9
3. All such men became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
... therefore God gave them up to dishonourable passions. For their women
exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men
likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion
for one another. Ro 121,24
People became lesbians and homosexuals.
This 'abomination' (see Lev 1822 2013) is thus the direct result of Almighty God
removing his protection because men were deceived into believing the 'Evolution Theory' Lie.
Today this clear warning is being fulfilled.
And it is even ignored by the two current (2023) Archbishops in the Church of England!
So according to the Word of God they are deceived.
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false. 2 Thes 29-11
See also article 'Five Lies and Five Truths' (Use back arrow to return)
What is the best defence against being deceived?
There is only one sure way. Reading and believing the Word of God. All of it.
And to do so with a humble spirit that desires to be taught the truth.
A proud man will always be selective in his reading of Scripture.
A stubborn heart will resist being taught the truth by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. Ps 957,8
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!" Is 551
2. Shaking, Suffering
[Contents]
The fallen world has always experienced disasters and extremes - what insurance
companies call 'Acts of God'. These have been from a relatively minor local
droughts to a worldwide flood!
Why do they happen?
Are hurricanes, volcanoes, floods, droughts, tsunamis, pandemics, earthquakes ...
always by the hand of Almighty God?
If so, what is the purpose of God?
a) Some are intended to humble proud man before Almighty God.
e.g. "I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town,
yet you have not returned to me," declares the LORD. Amos 46
Amos repeats this truth a further 4 times - Amos 47,9,10,11
God clearly intended the hardship he sent to turn their hearts back to him.
What is our reaction when God causes us to suffer?
Are we willing to repent and plead for mercy;
or do we just ignore it or blame someone or something else?
b) Others are the justified judgement/punishment of Almighty God. e.g.
The 10 plagues on Pharaoh followed by the drowning of his army in the Red Sea.
The extermination of the Canaanites from the promised land.
The exiles of Israel and of Judah.
The destruction of Sodom.
There are many other punishments/judgements in the OT and the NT. Acts 51-10
Jesus warned his disciples in Math 2421,22 that at the end there would be a time of unequalled distress. And the writer to the Hebrews reveals the same:
At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the
removal of things that are shaken - that is, things that have been made - in order
that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful
for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God
acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Heb 1226-29
These events point to the Great Tribulation events prophesied in Rev 6-18. They are in a different league to all previous historical disasters. They have to come so that the 7 seals on the scroll of life (Rev 5) could be released and the new heaven and new earth come into their glorious, wholly righteous and eternal creation.
Haggai also prophesied this:
I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will
shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house
with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. Hag 26,7
3. Destruction
[Contents]
a) War always results in tears, death, destruction and huge economic cost. Men long for peace, but
throughout history men and nations have always fought each other. They always will.
The League of Nations and then the UN have tried to stop war, but have failed. As Gabriel told
Daniel: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. Dan
926b In 2020 the world military expenditure was an estimated $2,000 billion! It is called ‘defence budget’, but would more accurately be called 'budget for war'.
Just think what could have been achieved if it were re-directed to compassionate civil use. One day it will be. But not yet. What has taken years of effort to develop and build is often destroyed in an instant by bombing. What a waste. It is no surprise that Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Jn 33
b) This earth was most carefully and beautifully designed and created. There is nothing like it in the whole universe; everything is so special. Its orbit, rotation, axis, magnetism, ionosphere ... to say nothing of all the resources, the land, sea, weather ... the design and structure of men and, animals, birds, fish etc etc Yet selfish, greedy man has done his best to destroy it by squandering all its finite resources and polluting its environment. How much has the Almighty Creator wept? And yet our most gracious and merciful God has not abandoned his plan to make men righteous and able to be with him in his glorious kingdom, when all war and sin will never be seen again.
c) Disintegration. Men make promises, politicians write manifestoes, couples
swear a marriage covenant; but so often each of these are broken. Trust is broken, words
become meaningless and relationships disintegrate. 20 years ago my wife wrote a truth that sums it up:
'The treaties of men are founded on fear and honoured when convenient'.
This has always been true, but in the last days it will become far more so.
Reliability and faithfulness will become rare. Truth will be hard to find; lost in an ocean of deceit, fake news, greed, distorted opinions and wanton destruction.
But the Word of God is sure and will never change. Jesus declared,
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Math 2435
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. 2 Sam 2231
(also Ps 126 1830 Prov 305)
4. Blasphemy
[Contents]
The name of the Lord will be dishonoured and will increasingly become a common swear-word. Men will scoff at all that Almighty God has both said and done. Peter wrote: You should remember the predictions of the holy prophets ... that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. ... For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God. 2 Pe 32,3,5
The modern 'Evolution Theory' lie is a gross insult to Almighty God, the Creator
of all. It is a brazen contradiction of the Word of God. The opening verses of Genesis, John’s Gospel and Hebrews each declare the truth
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 11
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and
without him was not any thing made that was made. Jn 11
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Heb 11,2
At the end of the Great Tribulation, when the 7th bowl of wrath is poured out, God
revealed to John that God remembered Babylon the great. He was shown the
judgement of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters ... a woman
sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names. Rev 1619 173
Outside the parliament buildings in both Brussels and Strasbourg is a statue of
Europa - the same blasphemous woman on a beast. The significance of these
statues was not mentioned in any of the media Brexit debates. And that is not all.
Early in the EU history they published an advert that depicted the tower of Babel
with the blasphemous caption, 'Many nations, one voice', which deliberately
ridicules what God declared in Gen 117,8 Come, let us go down and there confuse
their language ... So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the
earth. The EU founders also deliberately designed their parliament building in
Strasbourg to be like Broughel's picture of Babel! Jesus warns us that at the end
the majority are deceived. So today even many Christians remain completely
unaware of both the evil foundations of the EU and its secular objective.
The BBC Broadcasting House still has the same large foundation stone in the entrance hall that it had when opened in 1932. It is written in Latin, so sadly not often understood.
It is based upon Phil 48 Its translation is : This Temple of the Arts and Muses is dedicated to Almighty God by the first Governors of Broadcasting in the year 1931, Sir John Reith being Director-General. It is their prayer that good seed sown may bring forth a good harvest, that all things hostile to peace or purity may be banished from this house, and that the people, inclining their ear to whatsoever things are beautiful and honest and of good report, may tread the path of wisdom and uprightness.
The original BBC goal was clearly based upon Biblical values of honest and accurate reporting of the truth. Sadly, today news reports are often based on opinion and comments rather than facts, which are often very selective. And many entertainment programmes have a very 'liberal' agenda. Blasphemy is becoming common.
Christians need to open their Bibles, their eyes and their hearts to see the growth of insults
that are being poured out upon the Lord God.
Let us learn how to bring the honour and glory upon the Lord that he deserves.
5. Persecution of Christians and Jews
[Contents]
The persecution of the Jews by almost every nation of the world has been a tragedy that they have had to endure for over 2,000 years. Satan hates God’s choice of the Jews; and much of the world’s history has been influenced by them. Demonic hatred has fuelled war among nations since the days of Cain’s jealous hatred of Abel. Today Israel does not have many friends at the UN. The recent Obama and the current Biden US governments have drastically lowered their support of Israel. The nuclear advancement of Iran, that continually advertise that their goal is to eliminate Israel, is a growing and highly dangerous threat to all Jews and the Western world. Yet the US tried to appease Iran by Joint Nuclear Agreement and releasing all the $billions of sanctions. Iran is also currently supplying Russia with drones and weapons for their war against Ukraine. Internal protests led by the women in Iran is determined, but unlikely to overthrow the entrenched regime. It seems that God’s future plan for the ME is that it will remain in determined turmoil.
Satan also hates all Bible-believing Christians. For the 300 years after Christ was crucified and risen, they were persecuted by every one from Saul to Nero. In the 16th Century the Roman Church did its best to dispatch all who translated, printed, preached or believed the Scriptures by burning them alive at the stake. During the last 100 years the Communists have done their best to stamp out what they see as a threat to their dogma. They are now joined by Muslims and Hindus. And even Western governments and the media are increasingly set to overthrow the majority of Almighty God's commandments. They legalise homosexuality and abortion murder. The Evolution Theory lie has been added to the official school curriculum, and so anyone who believes in God’s amazing creation is ridiculed. And even the Church of England synod (Nov. 2023) has compromised God’s declared truth by approving the blessing same-sex marriages.
Has God warned us about persecution in the last days? Yes! Often!
The prophet Daniel was told about four beasts and then a little horn that soon
domineered. This horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them. ... He
shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most
High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into
his hand for a time, times, and half a time. But the court shall sit in judgment,
and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
Dan 721, 25,26
2 years later Daniel was then given another vision for the time of the end (Dan 817)) with the same message about an evil, demonic king that will rule: when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. Dan 823-25
In both, at the end there is extreme persecution of the saints. This is only ended
when Jesus returns as King, destroys the evil power and raises up his people.
God always has control of his creation. As Jesus told his apostles: For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. ... Immediately after the tribulation of those days ... he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds. Math 2421,22, 29, 31
Paul warns the Thessalonians about the man of Lawlessness who will arise at the
end: that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of
lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself
against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the
temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thes 22b-4
This lawless man will not be kind to those who are righteous. We will need all the
armour that God graciously gives to those who trust him; though it could well cost
us our physical life. His promise will be fulfilled: the Lord is faithful. He will
establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thes 33
In persecution remember:
"The Word of God is sure, and the people of God are safe."
6. Increasing Wickedness (immorality, injustice)
[Contents]
At the end Almighty God reveals a climax of wickedness. The world will become increasingly
evil, as it was in the days of Noah, when he had to destroy all but one family of
8. The problem remains that all men are born sinners. The first two, Adam and
Eve, were created perfect. But they soon disobeyed God's warning and became
sinners. Ever since all men have not only inherited this natural tendency to sin,
but also the impossibility for any man to become righteous by his own efforts. In
the last days men will not even want to be righteous, but will consider the Lord
God as irrelevant. Paul makes this clear at the start of his letter to the Romans:
God's just judgement is upon all who refuse to acknowledge him. God gave them
up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all
manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy,
murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God,
insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish,
faithless, heartless, ruthless. Ro 128-31
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2 Thes 29,10
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Tim 43,4
The book of Revelation catalogues God's judgement upon the wickedness of men. He continually gives men the opportunity to repent, but few are willing to do so. God gave us commandments to direct us along the right way. But men are increasingly holding them in derision. Men will pass popular laws to enable them to stay in power. They will fail. They may try to educate us or entice us to make ‘good’ resolutions. But proud, self-willed man will prefer to go his own way. God makes it clear that the end result will be an ever increasingly wicked world, upon which he will administer his judgement.
The Way of Salvation in Christ
[Contents]
God's Word remains the only reliable source of truth and the revelation of God's
plan. He certainly does not want us to wallow in despair, without any hope. Nor
has he given up on his desire to redeem and save men. His invitation still stands:
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for
that which does not satisfy? ... Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon
him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and
to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Is 551,2, 6,7
The Bible remains the only trustworthy way for this despair to be overturned - by repentance and believing in Christ crucified and risen.
The God of grace still pleads with disobedient, disillusioned, deceived men to
seek him. Jesus tells us how much the Father longed for the 'prodigal son' to
return. And how great was his pleasure when the repentant man did so.
The door remains open. The seeking man only needs to believe that he cannot earn God’s forgiveness and that Christ was willing to be crucified to pay the just punishment for our sin.
There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
of Heaven, and let us in.
He needs to believe that Christ rose again to give him a new 'born again' life to
replace his old sinful life. For stubborn men to believe is always a miracle of revelation.
But God is very good at performing miracles! The new life he offers us is to live with God in
his new, righteous and eternal kingdom. It fulfills the whole purpose of God's
creation!
The Kingdom of God
[Contents]
God has fixed a definite time and sure plan to achieve this kingdom.
He sent the Archangel Gabriel to tell Daniel about it.:
Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the
transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in
everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most
holy place. Dan 924
The dates for these seventy weeks is problematic.
Suffice to say that God has a definite plan that it will not be changed.
The 70 weeks is divided into 7 weeks, 62 weeks and finally 1 week.
There is a significant gap between the first 69 weeks and the final 7 weeks.
It is the 2,000+ years between the first and second coming of Christ.
What is decreed? To finish transgression and put an end to sin.
Just imagine a world in which there is no sin or even temptation.
This is God's decreed plan. It is absolutely sure.
How can this happen? One has now come to atone for iniquity.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God had to come and be crucified.
'The full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world'.
He thus earned the propitiation of God; his wrath was satisfied.
What was the result? To bring in everlasting righteousness.
The Righteousness of God, such sweet fragrance, not a hint or sniff of any sin.
Eternal. There will be no end to God's kingdom.
Why sealed?
The Seal is not to hide the contents, it is the proof of its authority
and to show that our salvation is safe.
Who is Anointed.
Jesus, the Christ! He reveals that it is special, and a totally holy place
to which we are invited.
Dan 924 is probably the best verse in the OT !!
Isaiah also describes the Kingdom of God within the capacity of the current human mind.
It is far more and even better than his beautiful poetry.
In heaven there is no such thing as disappointment.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. ...
Behold, your God ... He will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Is 35
Ezekiel is shown the River of life that flows in this eternal kingdom:
Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live ... Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing. Ezek 476-12
There is more in Is 40 and Rev 21,22 and others.
During the Tribulation the Lord wants us to look forward with eager anticipation to the life and joy that he has prepared for us for all eternity.
A Hymn to Sing:
[Contents]
A few more years shall roll,
A few more seasons come,
And we shall be with those that rest
Asleep within the tomb;
Then, 0 my Lord, prepare
My soul for that great day.
0 wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away.
A few more suns shall set
O'er these dark hills of time,
And we shall be where suns are not,
A far serener clime;
A few more storms shall beat
On this wild rocky shore,
And we shall be where tempests cease,
And surges swell no more;
A few more struggles here,
A few more partings o'er,
A few more toils, a few more tears,
And we shall weep no more;
A few more Sabbaths here
Shall cheer us on our way,
And we shall reach the endless rest,
The eternal Sabbath day;
'Tis but a little while,
And He shall come again
Who died that we might live, who lives
That we with Him may reign;
Horatius Bonar 1808-1889