Jesus expected those who were knowledgeable in the scriptures to recognize the signs of the times. Those who considered themselves to be knowledgeable kept demanding that He show them "a sign from heaven" (Mt. 16:1-3). Jesus had just performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes that fed thousands, and the healing of great multitudes who had come to Him, but these experts sought a sign. Jesus called them hypocrites saying, "...can ye not discern the signs of the times?" The greatest "sign" of all was standing right in front of them, but they couldn't discern Him.
Knowing the signs of the end times in which we live is not enough, however. There is a purpose for the people of God to accomplish that follows the signs. It is not about knowledge only, but about "doing" as well. We will see this as we follow one of the signs that is revealed prophetically in both the Old and New Testaments.
Paul wrote about a sign that would precede the return of Christ, and the gathering of the believers unto Him, also called The Rapture:
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:3-4
There are three signs mentioned in the above verses to alert the believer of the return of Christ, and the Rapture of the Church. First, there is a falling away from the faith. Paul also wrote a detailed description of this falling away in 2 Tim 3. He identified it specifically with a deception associated with "the last days". Everything that he described in detail regarding this falling away from the faith, we are seeing even now. Secondly, the person of the antichrist is revealed as he sits in the temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Thirdly, there is a third temple that must exist before the antichrist can sit in it. We know that there are groups in Jerusalem, the Temple Institute and the Temple Mount Faithful, that have dedicated themselves for decades to gathering and preparing the items necessary to build that third temple.
The prophet Daniel also gave a description of the individual that we call the antichrist and his connection to the temple:
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time...and they (the antichrist and his forces) shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate...and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every God, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done..."
Dan. 7:25, 11:31, 36, 12:7
Dan. 7:25, 11:31, 36, 12:7
Although some believe that the abomination to occur in the temple according to Daniel's prophecy has been fulfilled by a past historic event, the LORD makes clear to Daniel that He is revealing things that are to be sealed even to "the time of the end" (Dan. 12:4,9).
Daniel also revealed a time line involved with this sign of the person of the antichrist, and the temple:
"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (3 1/2 years)." Dan. 12:11
The Book of Revelation, written well past the historic event that many claim fulfilled Daniel's prophecy, also confirms what Daniel had written and sealed:
"And there was given unto him (the beast, the antichrist) a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (3 1/2 years). And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." Rev. 13:5-6
As the Book of Revelation describes the temple of God, it describes an outer court for the Gentiles, and the fact that the holy city would be trodden by the Gentiles for "forty and two months" (Rev. 11:2). The two witnesses who will be prophesying in sackcloth, which represents repentance, during this time, will continue for "a thousand two hundred and three score days" (v. 3).
While Daniel and the New Testament writers prophesied the revealing of the antichrist and his activities associated with third temple in the last days, or time of the end, we are also given a description of what the people of God are to be doing.
Daniel described the time of the end as a time when "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Dan. 12:4). We have seen an advancement of knowledge like never before in history. However, while worldly knowledge increases, the knowledge of the people of God increases also. During this time, Daniel describes the fulfilled purpose of the people who know their God in this manner:
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever...And they that understand among the people shall instruct many...and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand...but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do (accomplish, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to prepare, ordain, bring about) exploits...And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." from Dan. 7, 11, 12
Daniel describes this time of the end as being a time of trials for the people of God, and judgment for the wicked. For the people of God, Daniel prophetically writes, "...there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1
Reflecting this same promise, during the fall feast of the LORD, Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, the blessing is said, "May you be inscribed in the book." Revealed further in the New Testament, this book is described as "the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8
The names written in the book of life have been inscribed because of the blood of the Lamb, the Son of God, the Messiah, Jesus, who died to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). Has your name been written in the book? If you have been inscribed in the Lamb's book of life, do you know and discern the signs of the times, as Jesus expected? Are you doing the purpose of God for His people that accompanies these signs? Signs require a response, an action. Let us respond accordingly to the signs we are seeing now, and will see very soon.
To Contact/Support the Ministry/Submit Prayer Request/Order the book, "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To view Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever...And they that understand among the people shall instruct many...and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand...but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do (accomplish, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to prepare, ordain, bring about) exploits...And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." from Dan. 7, 11, 12
Daniel describes this time of the end as being a time of trials for the people of God, and judgment for the wicked. For the people of God, Daniel prophetically writes, "...there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1
Reflecting this same promise, during the fall feast of the LORD, Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, the blessing is said, "May you be inscribed in the book." Revealed further in the New Testament, this book is described as "the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8
The names written in the book of life have been inscribed because of the blood of the Lamb, the Son of God, the Messiah, Jesus, who died to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). Has your name been written in the book? If you have been inscribed in the Lamb's book of life, do you know and discern the signs of the times, as Jesus expected? Are you doing the purpose of God for His people that accompanies these signs? Signs require a response, an action. Let us respond accordingly to the signs we are seeing now, and will see very soon.
To Contact/Support the Ministry/Submit Prayer Request/Order the book, "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To view Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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