CHAPTER ELEVEN: THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS!

HOW did our turbulent world get to this point? Where are we heading? Have you ever asked such questions?  Many feel somewhat lost when they look at the world scene. Realities such as warfare, disease, and crime leave people wondering what the future holds.  Government leaders offer little hope. However, a reliable explanation of these distressing days is available from God in his Word.  The Bible reliably helps us to see where we are in the stream of time. It shows us that we are in "the last days" of the present system of things. -2 Timothy 3:1.  

Consider, for example, the answer Jesus gave to some questions raised by his disciples.  Three days before Jesus died, they asked him:  "What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"  (Matthew 24:3)  In reply, Jesus told of specific events and situations that would clearly show that this ungodly system had entered its last days.

As shown in the preceding chapter, Bible chronology leads to the conclusion that God's Kingdom has already begun to rule. But how can that be?  Things have become worse,  not better. Actually, this is a strong indication that God's Kingdom has begun ruling.  Why so? Well, Psalm 110:2 informs us that for a time Jesus would rule 'in the midst of his enemies.'  Indeed, his first act as heavenly King was to cast Satan and his demon angels down to the vicinity of the earth.  (Revelation 12:9)  what was the effect?  It was just what Revelation 12:13 foretold:  "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." We are not living in that "short period of time." 

Not surprisingly, therefore, when Jesus was asked what the sign of his presence and of the conclusion of the system of things would be, his reply was sobering.  Various components of the sign are: unprecedented warfare, famine, pestilences, increasing lawlessness, ruining of the earth, earthquakes, critical times hard to deal with, inordinate love of money, disobedience of parents, lack of natural affection, this can go on and on.  As you can see,the Christian apostles Paul, Peter, and John provide us with further details concerning the last days.  True, most features of the sign and of the last days involve distressing situations.  Yet the fulfillment of these prophecies should convince us that this wicked system is near its end. Let us take a look at some of the principal features of the last days. 

Next time: THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS!/FEATURES OF THE LAST DAYS

From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life