The End Times – What We Will See?

The end times per the Bible – interpreted, in part, through the lens of the earliest Christian “self-help” book we have on record, written around 100 AD, The Didache (also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles):

Guard your life! Watch your heart! Make sure the light of Christ in you shines brightly! If it is dimming, seek the oil necessary to brighten it before your lamp goes out! If your lamp goes out, but for the grace of God, it is nearly impossible to find oil again. Be ready, in every way, for His return – because you don’t know when He will come! Gather with the saints frequently, seeking what nourishes, waters, heals, encourages, and strengthens your souls – this is important, because if you are not perfected in this last season, the whole time of your faith shall not profit you. ^{(1 Corinthians 3:11-13; Revelation 2:5; Matthew 25:8-10; Hebrews 6:7-8; Daniel 12:3)}

In the last days, false prophets and people who want to lead you to corrupt yourselves ^{(2 Timothy 3:6)} will grow exponentially. ^{(Jude 1:5-19)} As lawlessness increases both within the congregations and without , each will take up “causes” of nations ^{(Luke 21:10)}, of tribes ^{(1 Corinthians 1:13)}, of parties ^{(Acts 23:8-10)} and divisions – teachings other than Christ and His ways ^{(Romans 16:17)}. They shall hate one another – both within the congregation and without ^{(Matthew 24:10-12)}. Discernment will decrease, and the holy will be taught that they and the unholy are one ^{(2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:6-12)}.

And many who shout to “To Love! To Peace! To Unity!” will hate those who say “Come out, be holy, do not mix, be ye separate, divide by the sword of Christ, abstain!” Lawless love will hate unmerciful repentance, and unmerciful repentance will hate lawless love ^{(2 Timothy 4:2-4)}. Those who endure in love by grace through faith ^{(Ephesians 2:4-9)} having laid a foundation of repentance ^{(Luke 5:32; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9)} will prophesy in sack cloth and ashes ^{(Matthew 24:12-13; Revelation 11:3)}.

Hate will be called love. Love will be called hate. Death will be called life. Life will be called death. Repentance will be called legalism. Lawlessness will be called liberty ^{(1 Peter 2:16; 2 Peter 2:19)}. Greed will be called wisdom ^{(Mark 7:10-12)}. Wisdom will be called foolishness ^{(1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 3:18-20)}. Love for pleasure-seeking will be called love for God ^{(2 Timothy 3:1-9)}.

Then the world-deceiver will appear as a son of God ^{(2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)}; and will work signs and wonders, and the earth will be delivered into his hands ^{(Revelation 13:13-14; 16:14)}. He will do unholy things, which have never been since the world began. Then all created mankind will come to the fire of testing. Many shall be offended ^{(2 Timothy 1:15-16; 2 Timothy 4:9-10)} and perish ^{(Matthew 24:9-11)}, but those who endure IN THE FAITH will be saved by “the Curse” Himself ^{(Matthew 11:2-6)}.

Then the signs of the truth shall appear. First, of a rift in the heaven . Then, of a voice of a trumpet. Then, a resurrection of the dead ^{(Matthew 24:29-31)}, but not of all – as it was said, The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him. Then the world will see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

So, again, guard your life! Watch your heart! Make sure the light of Christ in you shines brightly! If it is dimming, seek the oil necessary to brighten it before your lamp is quenched! Be ready, in every way, for His return!