Why Should We Study the End-Times
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The Bereans searched the Scriptures to see if the things that Paul said were so (Acts 17:10-11).
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness,
and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11)
B. If you are new in studying the End-Times, be braced that the Jesus seen in many End-Time Scriptures is very
different from the Jesus that some think of. Jesus is not a heavenly Santa Claus committed to making life easy in this age.
He is a zealous Bridegroom King coming to establish His Father’s glory and to vindicate His persecuted Bride (Revelation
19:2). He will dash nations to pieces that refuse His leadership (Psalm 2:8-9; 110:6; Isaiah 63:1-6; Revelation 14:20). It is
important that we are loyal to what Scripture says and not our Christian traditions or religious sentiments.
C. The most controversial point in this course is found in my conviction that Church will go through the Tribulation
(in great victory and power). This differs from the popular pre-tribulation rapture view that teaches that the Church will be
raptured at any minute and will therefore, miss the great End-Time revival and crisis. The Bible teaches that the Church
will be raptured. The issue is one of timing. The Church will be raptured at the end of the Tribulation, rather than at its
beginning.
D. I honor the godliness and wisdom of many who hold the pre-tribulation Rapture view, but I see it as a serious
mistake that will leave many unprepared and even offended at Jesus in the coming time of worldwide pressure and revival.
II. THE GENERATION IN WHICH THE LORD RETURNS IS UNIQUE
A. We must study the End-Times because it is the most dramatic generation in human history with two great extremes.
Before Jesus returns, the nations will witness the greatest revival and the most severe pressures (God’s judgments,
Satan’s rage, man’s sin) that have ever been seen.
B. We must study the End-Times because it reveals Jesus’ heart and leadership. The four Gospels (totaling 89
chapters) give us a record of Jesus' heart and power at His first coming when He accomplished redemption. In a similar
way, the end of the age (over 100 chapters) reveals Jesus’ heart and power as He takes over the leadership of the whole
earth. The Gospels and the End-Time Scriptures reveal the same Jesus operating in the same power of the Holy Spirit.
C. The Book of Revelation is called the revelation of Jesus because it reveals His heart, power and leadership. The
Book of Revelation is not an optional subject for the Church.
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take
place. (Revelation 1:1)
D. We must study the End-Times because it is the most written about generation in Scripture. Over 100 chapters in
the Bible have the End-Times as their main theme. Scripture gives significant divine info about the End-Times. Why? To
prepare the Bride to be victorious in love and power during the most dramatic time in world history.
E. We must study the End-Times because it is the one generation that God has chosen to announce with prophetic
signs that increase in intensity as we get closer to Jesus’ return. These prophetic signs include supernatural signs in the
heavens and on earth, trends in society, and political, military, religious, scientific, technological, and economic
developments. God calls it wisdom to understand (Revelation 13:18, 17:9) these things because it is an issue of life and
death for us.
F. The Scripture requires those in the generation the Lord returns to know it and prepare accordingly. Jesus and
Paul emphasized the know-ability of the prophetic signs of the End-Times (Matthew 24:32-34; Luke 21:25-29;
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11).
32 Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth
leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--
at the doors! (Matthew 24:32-33)
25 There will be signs in the sun…and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations…26 men's hearts
failing them from fear…for the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power…28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption draws near.. (Luke 21:25-28)
1 Concerning the times and the seasons, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves
know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night…4 But you, brethren, are not in
darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day...
6 Therefore…let us watch... (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6)
G. God promised to give prophetic signs in the generation that the Lord returns as an expression of His mercy, so
people can make the necessary preparations for what is coming. These prophetic signs serve the Church like a weather
station that signals trouble before it comes so people can prepare and save lives. The example of the Southeast Asia
Tsunami caused by the Sumatra earthquake on Dec. 26, 2004 illustrates this.
H. Jesus rebuked Israel for being unable to read the prophetic signs at Jesus’ first coming (Matthew 16:3). Jesus
taught that Israel came under judgment for being unresponsive to God because they did not know the time of their
visitation from God.
43 For days will come…when your enemies will…44 level you, and your children to the ground…because
you did not know the time of your visitation. (Luke 19:43-44)
I. The prepared prophetic Church alone will have the answer to keep many from being offended at God in the End-
Times. We must be able to answer why a God of love would allow and even orchestrate some of the events in the Great
Tribulation. The purpose of God's judgments is to remove all that hinders love so that multitudes would be saved and
grow mature in love.
J. The principle of God’s love in judgment: God uses the least severe means to reach the greatest number of people
at the deepest level of love without violating anyone’s free will in training the future rulers of the earth.
III. COMMON LIES RELATED TO THE END-TIME PROPHECY
A. A common lie is that End-Time prophecy is not relevant, but is just for the curious. Studying information about the
End-Times is one of the keys to preparing the Church to be victorious in the most extreme glory and pressure in history.
It provides us with a compass in the storm.
B. A common lie is that End-Time prophecy is to be interpreted symbolically instead of taken literally. The events and
numbers in Revelation are taken in their plain meaning (literal) unless specifically indicated as symbolic by the Scripture
(Revelation 1:20; 5:6; 11:8; 12:1, 3, 9; 17:7, 9).
C. A common lie is that End-Time prophecies are impossible to understand except only by scholars. The Scriptures
on the End-Times were written to be understood by all. The majority of people throughout history have been uneducated
peasants..
D. A common lie is that End-Time prophecy is that the Church in every generation believed they were the final
generation. (I believe we are in the beginning stages of the End-Times. Whether the Tribulation begins in 5 years or 50
years, I do not know. It is probably closer to 50 than 5).
E. It is true that small numbers (probably less than 1%) of many generations thought they were at the end. Only in
the generation of the early apostles was there is a universal sense among the majority of God’s people that they would
see the return of Jesus. This is beginning to happen again in the Body of Christ across the earth for only the second time
in history.
IV. WHY WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE END-TIMES
A. Certainty of victory – The Church will be victorious in love with power during the most dramatic time in history. This
prepares the Church to participate in the coming revival instead of neglecting or resisting it. Our lives and labors matter
and will prevail.
B. Confidence in sovereignty – God is fully in control of the End-Time crisis and is never surprised. The result of this
is that we live in peace instead of fear with panic.
C. Continuity – Understanding the dynamic continuity of our present character and works to the age to come is vital.
We see this continuity in the teaching of the Tribulation and the Millennium.
D. Fascination - With revelation of the beauty of Jesus (Isaiah 4:2; 28:5; 33:17) in seeing His leadership, wisdom and
power in His dramatic plans for the End-Times. In this, Jesus combines human free will, satanic rage and God's sovereignty
to produce the great Harvest and the victorious Church without ever violating God’s justice or man’s free will.
E. Direction – Having a compass in a storm at sea is an issue of life and death. The prophetic Church will be the light
of truth in the darkest hour in history.
F. Urgency - In intercession and to cultivate spiritual depth (fasted lifestyles and going deeper revelation). We know
that our intercession can minimize evil and increase victory in specific geographic areas, establishing pockets of mercy
(Joel 2:13-14; Zephaniah 2:3).
G. Braced (girded) – When we have right expectations for the future including both victory and hardship, then we are
emotionally and mentally prepared to endure much more. We make right choices now because we have a right vision
(expectancy) for life during this historic time.
H. Faith for breakthrough – We have faith that God desires to establish geographic areas as “pockets of mercy” for
those who will pray and fast accordingly (Zephaniah 2:3; Joel 2:12-14).
I. Courage – By understanding End-Time prophecy, we will discern their fulfillment before our eyes. This will
encourage us that God is in control and that He cares for us. This will give us courage to proclaim to others without the
fear of man or of suffering consequences.
J. Confidence to study – As we grasp the truths of the End-Times, then we have confidence and zeal to go deeper in
our study of other End-Time passages. One of the biggest hindrances today is the conclusion that End-Time prophecy is
too difficult to understand, so why even try.
K. Warned – so that we have discernment of what seductions to avoid or what not to do. For example, avoid the
positive presentations to take the mark of the Beast, or to participate in the seemingly prosperous economic and religious
enterprises of Babylon the Great Harlot.