Paul wrote to Timothy saying that Hymenaeus and Philetus were upsetting the faith of some by teaching the resurrection or second coming of Christ had already taken place. The prophecy of the end of time has been going on ever since. It is not a new thing, just a different false prophet. (Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.) 2 Timothy 2:17-18
Jesus and the Apostles did teach that the world would end, so we do need to be aware of the signs of the times.
There are several things that need to happen before the actual end of the world is upon us.
A. We have to be living in the latter times or last days of the church age. The following tell us that we are pretty close:
1-The days of the end-time have to be like the days of Noah. We can say we are doing a good job with these activities.
2-Israel has to be a nation. She is today with many enemies.
3-Lawlessness has to abound. It certainly seems to be doing just that.
4-People will be without natural affection. We hear of all manner of children abused or killed by the hand of their parents, and parents abused and killed by their children and children killed by their parents and grandparents being targeted too.
5-Apostasy, seduction by false spirits, pride, treachery, sensuality and skepticism will be widespread. We seem to have this today as well.
6-False Christs and prophets who will deceive many. Many preaching a Christ not of the Bible.
7-Wars and rumors of wars. There are always plenty of these. The big one is yet to come and it is gearing up in the Middle East right now.
8-Political turmoil, famine, disease and earthquakes. We have had crazy weather patterns for several years now, with 2012 being one of the driest.
9-A ten nation confederacy of the revived Roman Empire. This is being fulfilled in the European Nations right before our eyes.
10-Construction of the temple in Jerusalem. The plans and materials are ready to go. They just need access to the ground under the Dome of the Rock.
11-Men’s hearts failing them for fear. Grandma can’t go alone to the store anymore, and you are not safe sitting on your porch, and your house and car are not safe with you in or out of them. Will you have a job tomorrow? What will your children face as adults in their future world?
12-A One-World Monetary System, a One-World Church, and a One-World Leader has to be in place. This is being worked on as we speak with the call for the New World Order.
B. There has to be a Seven Year peace treaty with Israel. She has to be able to dwell in her cities without walls. This has not happened yet. Quite the opposite is happening, with Iran and her Islamic Brotherhood, with Russia and China as their supporters, wanting Israel wiped off the map.
C. There has to be a war with Russia over Israel that will lead to the final WWW III. With Terrorism and the goals of the militant Muslims, and the stockpiles of Bio-Chemical weapons, and Nuclear missiles and bombs, there is no doubt about the very real possibility of mass destruction. Revelation speaks of 50% of the earth’s population being killed during the last seven years of time.
D. Jesus has to return, once in the Rapture, and then again at the end of the tribulation period, to set up His earthly Kingdom for a 1000 years.
There are other things that will have to take place before the end of the world becomes a reality. In the meantime, Jesus and His Apostles gave us plenty of signs to look for, not for the purpose of setting dates, but to make sure that we are looking for His coming with clean hearts.
Jesus told us Himself that no man knows the day or the hour of His return, only His Father. So when we hear of a date and time, it is an automatic Red Flag that someone is missing the mark.
One thing for sure, when they say peace and safety,’THEN’ will come sudden destruction. Do you hear anything about peace or safety today? Israel is the key to all Prophecy and she is playing her role right now. What happens in the Middle East in the next few days, months or years will bring it all together for the whole One-World System to be put in place as The New World Order. We have the technology for every man, woman, and child to have a chip implanted in their hand or forehead. This will enable the control of the masses as to what they can buy or sell. This will be the main objective of the Antichrist.
The real questions are—-Am I ready to stand before my Maker? Am I able to go through the horrors of a Tribulation world government? Am I able to see my children and wife and loved ones separated from me, knowing that I will never see them again? Am I able to deal with not knowing whether they are being tortured or whether they are alive or dead? 3.5+ Billion souls will perish. Will I or my loved ones be among those who suffer and die?
Father, I ask that you forgive our sins and the sins of our loved ones. I pray that you have mercy upon the billions of people on this planet. Please open our blinded eyes to see the things of the Spirit in your Word. Soften our hardened hearts to be able to feel the gentle love of your Presence. Open our deaf ears to hear the sound of the battle horses approaching our doors. Revive our scarred consciences to respond to your gentle nudge to confess our sins and ask for your forgiveness and deliverance. You taught us to pray That your Kingdom would come and that your will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. You also taught us to pray that we would not be led into temptation, but be delivered from the evil one in this world. Cover us all with your blood and help us all to be ready for your coming and to escape the horror of the Antichrist. In Jesus Name. Amen.
For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10