Surviving The End Times – What do I need to know?

Surviving The End Times – What do I need to know?

Often, people experience anxiety when they think about the future; however, it does not have to be that way. For those who know Yahuah, thoughts of the future bring eagerness and comfort. For example, describing a woman who knows and trusts Yahuah, Proverbs 31:25 says, “She smiles at the future.” 

Two key thoughts to keep in mind about the future are, first, Yahuah is sovereign and in control over everything. He knows the future and absolutely controls what will happen. The Scripture says, “Remember the former things long past, For I am Yahuah, and there is no other; I am Yahuah, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’ . . . Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it” (Isaiah 46:9–11, emphasis added).

The second thing to remember about the future is that the Scripture outlines what will occur in “the end times” or “latter days.” Because the Scripture is Yahuah’s revelation to humankind, and because Yahuah knows and controls the future (as Isaiah says above), then it stands to reason that when the Scripture speaks about what will occur in the future, we can believe it. Concerning predictions about the future, the Scripture says, “No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Ruach HaQodesh (Holy Spirit) spoke from Yahuah” (2 Peter 1:21). This truth is evident in the fact that, unlike the false prophecies made in other religions or by individuals such as Nostradamus, the Scripture has never once been wrong – every time the Scripture has predicted a future event, it happened exactly as Scripture said it would. 

When considering how to understand and survive in the end times, answer these three questions:

1. How should I interpret what the Scripture says about the future (scriptural prophecy)?

2. What does the Scripture say will happen in the end times?

3. How should what the Scripture says about the future affect the way I live today?

How to Interpret Scriptural Prophecy

There are a number of viewpoints on what methods should be used when interpreting passages concerning the end times. While there are good people espousing different beliefs, there is good reason to believe that scriptural prophecy should be interpreted (1) literally, (2) with a futurist view, and (3) in what is called a “premillennial” manner. Encouraging a literal interpretation is the fact that there are over 300 prophecies that concern the first coming of Messiah, all of which were literally fulfilled. The predictions surrounding the Messiah’s birth, life, betrayal, death and resurrection were not fulfilled allegorically or in a spiritual manner. Yahusha literally was born in Bethlehem, performed miracles, was betrayed by a close friend for 30 pieces of silver, was pierced in His hands and feet, died with thieves, was buried in a rich man’s tomb, and was resurrected three days after His death. All these details were predicted hundreds of years before Yahusha was born and were literally fulfilled. And, while there is symbolism used in various prophecies (e.g., dragons, horsemen, etc.), all of it portrays literal beings or events, in much the same way as Yahusha is spoken of as a lion and a lamb.

Regarding a futurist view, the Scripture clearly states that prophetic books like Enoch, Daniel and Revelation contain not only accounts of historical events, but also predictions of future events. After John was given his messages for the assemblies of his day, he received visions concerning what would occur in the end times. John was told, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things” (Revelation 4:1, emphasis added).

Perhaps an even stronger argument for a futurist view involves the promises Yahuah made to Abraham (cf. Genesis 12 & 15) concerning the land of Yahshar’al (Yisrael). Since Yahuah’s covenant with Abraham was unconditional, and His promises have not yet been fulfilled to Abraham’s descendants, then a futurist view of the promises to Yisrael is warranted.

Lastly, with respect to prophecy being interpreted in a “premillennial” manner, this means that, first, the assembly will be saved/sealed, then the world will experience a seven-year Tribulation period, and then Yahusha HaMashiach  will return to reign over the earth for 1,000 literal years (Revelation 20).

But what does the Scripture say will happen before then?

What Does the Scripture Say Will Happen in the End Times?

Sadly, the Scripture predicts a downward spiral of catastrophes, human sin, and religious apostasy before Messiah returns. Paul writes, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. . . . Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:1, 13). The world will continue to reject Yahuah, His Word, and His people. 

Some day in the future – a day no one knows – Yahuah will end the Assemblies Age which began in the first century on Pentecost (cf. Acts 2) At that time, Yahuah prepares for His final judgments. Paul says, “For if we believe that  died and rose again, even so Yahuah will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Yahusha. For this we say to you by the word of Yahuah, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of Yahuah, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For Yahuah Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of Aluah, and the dead in Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Yahuah in the air, and so we shall always be with Yahuah. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:14–18). 

The erosion of peace and increase of turmoil that precedes the Second Coming will reach epic proportions. Such an event will cause panic and demands for a strong leader who will have answers to all the world’s problems. Preparation for this leader has been in progress for some time, as historian Arnold Toynbee has noted, “By forcing on mankind more and more lethal weapons, and at the same time making the world more and more interdependent economically, technology has brought mankind to such a degree of distress that we are ripe for the deifying of any new Caesar who might succeed in giving the world unity and peace.” Out of a revived Roman Empire, one that is organized in a European ten-constituency fashion (cf. Daniel 7:24; Revelation 13:1), the Anti-messiah will arise and sign a covenant with the nation State of Israel, which will officially begin Yahuah’s prophetic seven-year countdown to Messiah’s second coming (cf. Daniel 9:27). 

For three and a half years, the Anti-messiah will reign over the earth and promise peace, but it is a false peace which will entrap the people of the earth. The Scripture says, “While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Wars, earthquakes, and famines will escalate (cf. Matthew 24:7) until the end of the Anti-messiah’s 3.5-year reign, when he will enter a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and proclaim himself to be Aluah and demand worship (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15). It is at that point that the true Aluah responds to the challenge. For another 3.5 years, a Great Tribulation will occur, such as has never before been seen. Yahusha predicted, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:21–22).

Untold loss of life and destruction of the earth will occur during the Great Tribulation. Also, large numbers will come to faith in Messiah, yet many will do so at cost of their lives. Yahuah will still be in control as He gathers the unbelieving armies of the world in order to judge them. Of this event, the prophet Joel wrote, “I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people” (Joel 3:2). John records the battle this way: “And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon [Satan] and out of the mouth of the beast [the Anti-messiah] and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of Yahuah, the Almighty. . . . And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon” (Revelation 16:13–16). 

At this point, the Messiah Yahusha will return, destroy His enemies, and claim the world, which is rightfully His. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of Yahuah. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of Aluah, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND Master Of Masters.’ Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in mid-heaven, ‘Come, assemble for the great supper of Aluah, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.’ And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Revelation 19:11–21). 

After Messiah has defeated all the armies gathered in the valley of Armageddon, He will reign with His saints for one thousand years and fully restore Yahshar’al (Yisrael) to her land. At the end of a thousand years, a final judgment of the nations and all remaining mankind will occur, which is then followed by an eternal state: either spent with Yahuah or separated from Him (cf. Revelation 20-21). 

The above events are not speculations or possibilities – they are what will take place in the future. Just as all the Scripture’s prophecies of Messiah’s first coming came true, so will all the Scripture’s prophecies of His second coming. 

Given the truth of these prophecies, what impact should they have on us now? Peter asks this question: “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in Qodesh (Set-Apart) [holy] conduct and righteousness (godliness), looking for and hastening the coming of the day of Yahuah, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! ” (2 Peter 3:11–12). 

The Effect of Scriptural Prophecy on Us Today

There are four responses we should have to Scripture prophecy. The first is obedience, which is what Peter speaks of in the verses above. Yahusha continually tells us to be ready for His coming, which could happen at any time (cf. Mark 13:33-37) and to live in such a way that we are not ashamed of our behavior. 

The second response is worship. Yahuah has provided a way to escape His end-time judgments—His free gift of salvation offered through Yahusha. We must be sure we receive His salvation and live in gratitude before Him. Our worship on earth will one day become worship in heaven: “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for Yahuah with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation’” (Revelation 5:9).

The third response is proclamation. The message of Yahuah’s salvation and the truth of His second coming need to be proclaimed for all to hear, especially to those who don’t yet believe. We must give everyone the chance to turn to Yahuah and be saved from His coming wrath. Revelation 22:10 says, “And he said to me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.’”

The last response to Yahuah’s prophetic Word is service. All believers should be diligent about carrying out Yahuah’s will and performing good works. Part of Messiah’s judgments will be of the works performed by believers. They do not determine a person’s acceptance into heaven, but they do show what each believer did with the gifts given him or her by Yahuah. Paul says of this judgment, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). 

In summation, Yahuah is sovereign over all events and people of the world. He is firmly in control of everything and will bring a perfect end to everything He has started. An old song puts it like this: “All is Yahiuah’s creation … Fashioned by One hand … Satan and Salvation … Under One command.”

Fulfilled prophecy is one proof that the Scripture is a supernatural book. Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies have already been fulfilled, and it is reasonable to conclude that what it says about the end times will be fulfilled as well. For those who know Yahusha and have trusted Him as their Master and Savior, His coming will be their blessed hope (cf. Titus 2:13). But for those who have rejected Messiah, He will be their terror (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8). The bottom line is this: to survive the end times, make sure you are a believer in Messiah Yahusha: “For Yahuah has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Master Yahusha Mashiach” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Source:

https://www.gotquestions.org/surviving-end-times.html