Photo from: http://www.brothercaveman.com
Often people ask me, “Did you hear the news? Do you believe these events are related to end-time prophecy?”
Many of the events in the news today are referred to in the scriptures. Jesus’ disciples were just as curious as we are about end times. Before Jesus’ crucifixion the disciples were on the Mount of Olives and asked Him about what signs signaled the end of the age.
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” — Matthew 28: 4-8
We see the evidence nearly every week of the earth’s “birth pains” all over the globe with earthquakes, floods, famines, fires, and great storms. It seems there are people at war in nearly every country. The news reports that both men and women are killing God’s people in the name of their religion all over the world. These soldiers who fight a “holy war” and follow a false prophet are likely the army of 200 million described in Revelation 9:16-19 that were released after the 6th trumpet sounded.
If that is correct, then the next Revelation event to occur is the sounding of the 7th trumpet that brings about the rapture and 1st resurrection of the saints. Hallelujah! Are you ready for that?
Seven trumpets were used in ancient Jerusalem once every 50 years during the Year of Jubilee on the Day of Atonement (also called the Day of Judgment). The trumpets signaled when the High Priest had completed the cleansing ceremony in the Temple and when God had forgiven the sins of the nation. As part of the Jubilee observance all slaves were freed and property reverted back to the original owners.
Thus, we could speculate that God will likely sound the final trumpet that frees our lives from this earth during a Jubilee year. When is that? Some Jewish websites claim we are in a Jubilee year now that started September 2015 and lasts until October 2016. Others are not so sure.
If God follows His previous patterns, He grants freedoms during Passover. The Hebrew nation was freed from physical slavery at the first Passover and all mankind was freed from sin at Christ’s death at Passover about 2000 years ago. It stands to reason God will free mankind from death and the grave at a Passover celebration as well. In 2016 Passover occurs on April 22, almost a month after Easter.
According to Matthew 24 no one knows the day or hour but we know what people will be doing. “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24: 38-42.
We are told to watch. In 2 Peter 3, we are also told to live holy and godly lives. We are to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. We are to be patient and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. These are great words to live by.
If you want to know more about end time events, the following table is taken from chapter 20 in my book, “In the End… Jesus.” In that chapter I explain each of the events and what they mean. If you want a copy of the book, click on “Buy Now” at the top of this blog page or the “Home” page to learn more.
Table from: In the End… Jesus by James T. Martin