Prophecy

IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING, NOT THE END

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
08/23/16
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"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was One like a Son of man,^[coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14)

Most Christians, me included, use the term "End Times” when referring to the various prophetic books of the Bible. Often I will refer to these times as "the End Times, as we know them to be", which may be a more accurate vernacular allusion to these times.

The reason for making such reference of "End Times" is that world history, as we know it to be, will definitely be changed from that of some stability to that of chaos.  For those living will experience tragedy, loss, and apocalyptic horrors never before known to mankind. Jesus described these times as unless the days be shortened, those living would not survive. (Matthew 24:22)  Men will be filled with such anxiety and fear that their hearts will stop beating. (Luke 21:26)

Of course God, through Jesus Christ, will return stability to the world scene. So rather than the end, it will just be the beginning for those who claim Christ as Savior. (Revelation 21:4)

For the children of God (Christians) when this End Time actually arrives, I believe we will not be here, as we will be with Christ.  The vacating of this world by God's people is referred to as the Rapture in Christian terminology. The Rapture is a time when all Christians, living and dead, will be instantly transformed into immortal bodies and will be in the presence of Jesus Christ forever, first in the Heavens and then eventually back here on Earth. (1 Cor 15:51-54) (1 Thess 413-18) (Revelation 4:1)  Thus it is called the new beginning.

Ever since our first parents fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 3:1-7) everything God has done has been moving towards this new beginning. God first promised redemption in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:15)  In other words, this new beginning prophecy began with the prediction of an individual from the woman’s seed, namely Christ, who would deal a death blow to Satan's head at the cross. It was the first meaning behind the coming of Christ. (Genesis 3:15) 

You see, our God's eternal plan can never be defeated. God had certain steps to be taken in bringing mankind back in fellowship with Him after the Fall. God became a man named Jesus Christ, (John 1:1) (John 1:14) to physically die for our inherited and individual sins. (John 1:29) (Ephesians 1:7) (Ephesians 2:13)  And then Jesus rose from the dead, thereby completing mankind's redemption, giving us the full gospel. (1 Cor. 15:4-5)

Because of the miracle of this full gospel, Christ who was crucified is alive forevermore, and is now our life-giving Spirit. He is available any time, to anyone who will repent and by faith accept His free grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Moving on from the Old Testament to the New Testament, at the inception of the first church, (Acts 2:41-47) God sent His Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) as promised by Jesus (John 15:26) to be the guidance for the new church.  This new church then had incredible growth throughout the ages.

As a result of this new church, we continue to live in this New Testament "church age". Now this church age has progressed down through the ages into what we have today, and into what is now referred to as the "End Times". Realistically speaking however, these "End Times” will evolve into our "new beginning”, which is the subject of this blog.  The important thing to remember about Christ's coming is not that it will mark the end of world history, but that it will signal the beginning of all things being made new. (Revelation 21:1) 

As someone anonymously once said, History is actually "His story". While the account of humanity's journey from Eden to the End Times makes it seem that the forces of evil are continually dominating the earth and winning the battle against humanity, (Ephesians 6:11-12) at the end of history it will be clear that God was in control the whole time. (Daniel 2:19-23)

When will these so-called End Times take place, and our new beginning start? This question is as old as the disciples themselves. (Matthew 24:3)  We don't rightly know, as no one other than the Father knows. (Matthew 24:36)  However, one need only tune in to the national news media to see that the signs of prophecy are now here; the rejection of God's principles, His divine laws and His written Word; the increase of godlessness in all aspects of society; the increase of civil unrest; the unlawful dictatorial control of the evil-inspired governments; and yes, the carnal passions and the sensual socialistic appetites of today's churches. (2 Timothy 3:1-9, 13) (2 Timothy 4:3-4) (2 Peter 2:1-3)  So by comparison, the End Times will be likened to the days of Noah.  (Matthew 24:37-39)

We do know that a strong indication may be this falling away of the true church and its leaders.  (Matthew 24:23-24)

For the Christian, just have your spiritual bags packed and be ready, for Christ will appear at any moment, to take His own out of this "End Time" chaos, to a life with Him forever.

Author's Post Script- A synopsis of the prophecy events, taken from ("Gotquestions.com")

1- The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him. (1 Corinthians 15:52)

2. The rise of the Antichrist.  After the church is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8), a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace. (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27) He will be aided by another man, called the False Prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20). This false prophet will enforce the "mark of the beast, #666)

3. The tribulation.  A period of seven years in which God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity and the Antichrist rises to power.  (Revelation 6–16).

4. The Battle of Gog and Magog. In the first part of the tribulation, a great army from the North, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel and is defeated by God’s supernatural intervention (Ezekiel 38–39) (Some commentators place this battle just before the start of the tribulation.)

5. The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ. (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17)

6. The Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus returns with the armies of Heaven (Mark 14:62). He saves Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist. (Revelation 19:11–21) The Antichrist and the False Prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

7. The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, (Matthew 25:31–46)

8. The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3).

9. The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on Earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 40–48)

10. The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated. (Revelation 20:7–10) Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire, never to reappear.

11. The Great White Throne Judgment.  All those in Hell will be brought forth and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment. (Revelation 20:11–15)

12. The new creation. God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him. (Revelation 21–22)

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