The Last Days compose an era of unspecified time which refers to the times that end the era preceding the return of Jesus Christ in the Second Coming

The Last Days are noted for certain specific characteristics by which we can identify these times as different from other times

While there are characteristics which can be found in all ages, the end times is more or less a culmination with components of every age, all coming together

In order to properly understand the Last Days, we must understand how the ancients viewed prophecy› Time was circular, not linear

› They would not have understood a historical “timeline” as we understand today

› They believed in life coming full circle, prophecy coming full circle, and things standing restored

› In the beginning was God, man, and order; in the end will be God, man, and order; to get there, there must be a time of uproar and disruption

The Last Days prophecy does not refer to a literal explosion or cataclysm totally destroying the entire world, but a series of events that shall disrupt and get the attention of people

An increase in wars

› Political disruptions that shall rise and cause

discord, both between nations and between people of the same nation

› Will see a transformation in the way warfare is

approached

Dialogue is unproductive

More sophisticated warfare that is more

destructive with less effort

More long-term difficulties for those who serve in

armies and who witness the intense destruction of

political powers

War is not restricted to any one religion, race, or political group – If one studies war in both the Scriptures and in history, there is no justification to substantiate any particular group is more inclined to war than any other group.

Politicians and worldly leaders like war – Wars transfer funds between families, alliances behind the scenes that orchestrate different world perceptions and media outlets; war redistributes economic outlets and forces.

War is never what it seems –While it may seem like war is a devastation to politicians and certain nations, war is often a controlling facet; in fact, certain agencies of one side fund financing to the opposite side of the conflict

Between 1985 and 1994, an estimated 378,000 people died per year in wars

More soldiers in war between 1500 and 1914 were killed by typhus than all military combat combined

In World War II alone, more than 60 million people died in that war alone, including 20 million soldiers and 40 million civilians

The changes to war and modern politics engage a wider scope of individuals from diverse nations in high-tech and complicated battle that they may or may not be prepared for (i.e., western men with western sensibilities battling the fields in Vietnam)

As part of the deception of the last days, there will be an increase in the rumor of wars and the disruptions breaking out between nations

A sign of the constant tension between nations, constant rumor of wars is inevitable› Fear factor

› Keeps citizens in line

› Keeps people checking media outlets, and observing and purchasing certain items

Creates national bias and racism between different groups of people› Discord between people

to create political distances

› Wants to keep people in a certain state of patriotism and cause distrust against one’s neighbor

Powerful political source for control and manipulation› Make circumstances

seem other than they truly are

We are not citizens of this world, but citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21)› Even though we see these things, we are advised

prophetically to discern the times and recognize the end (the finality of the matters) is not yet

› Fearing world events is placing our confidence in the world and worldly powers rather than in God

All these things must come to pass› They are a part of the unfolding of the age and bringing

us right up to the return of Jesus Christ

The end is not yet› While many look at these signs (specifically wars) and

seek to set dates, Jesus lets us know that while these things are a sign His return is at hand, they do not, by themselves, indicate His return will be on a certain date within a certain specified period of time

A part of the warfare of the ages› Powers shall rise against one another, causing rifts and

disagreements

Part of the way in which people are divided› A staple of the end of the age is the grave division

which shall exist between people

› Racism, sexism, religious bigotry, hatred among ethnic groups, etc.

› Incorporating politics into religion or spiritual understanding causes further division between nations

The warfare of conspiracy› The perception of enemies when none may exist

› Causes strife to the point of warfare and enemy mentality even when political warfare is nonexistent

Famines – Widespread scarcities of food, often causing a regional or national malnutrition, revolt, political unrest, theft, and personal difficulties; famine has hit every continent of the world crossing the 20th

century and is a major cause of concern among many nations of the world today

Pestilences – Not found in other translations of the Bible outside of the KJV; most likely a reference to physical illness on a global pandemic proportion; is an Old English term for “plague;” can refer to illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted disease, Avian Flu, Malaria, and others that have a widespread effect

Earthquakes – Caused by the shifting of the earth’s plates; often causes other natural calamities (tsunamis, avalanches,mudslides, etc.); intense shakings that are destructive to the environment as well as structures, buildings, and historical areas; there have been more earthquakes since 1900 than there ever were before in all of recorded history (2,000+ years)

The natural signs of the Last Days will be found in every part of the entire world› Between 2010 and 2011 (at the time of this

construction) there were earthquakes in places such as New Zealand, Iran, Puerto Rico, Japan, California, the Marinara Islands, Ecuador, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Alaska, Chile, Indonesia, Haiti, and China-Russia-North Korea

Rather than just seeing natural disasters affect places where the disasters are to be expected, we are seeing them in many places› They are affecting areas where a “shaking up” is

needed

› They are a call, a warning, for people to recognize and repent of their wicked conduct

Nowhere on earth is safe from some sort

of natural upheaval or disaster

› It’s easy to say “just move” but there will be

issues and natural problems somewhere else

› When confronting natural disasters, we must

trust God and work justice; understanding

what is coming gives us that much of a head

start on understanding the times and

preparedness for what rises up

› The diversity of places shows God’s final call

to people to get things right in every nation under the sun; there is no favoritism with God

This is just the beginning of the things that are to come› These signs shall grow more intense as well as the

signs that are yet to come in the Last Days

Compared to as “labor pains” in other translations› Expounds the understanding of the Last Days as

a process rather than a quick happening that only takes place over a short period of time

› Can be a difficult and painful experience for mankind and a trying time spiritually

In understanding the process of cyclical prophecy, things must get worse before they get better› There is an intensity to the Last Days that

must go forth to bring about the necessary purging and spiritual cleansing of God’s people

› We must experience trial to sort out the “wheat from the tares”

› Part of the Last Days means God too uses these circumstances to help purge His people and prepare His bride, the church, to meet the groom, Christ

Facing Betrayal, Hatred, And Falsehood

› Learning about relational and emotional

conflicts in the Last Days

› Understanding the relevance of hatred in today’s world

› What will (and is happening) to God’s

people in the Last Days worldwide

› The keys to enduring unto the end