First, I feel led to share a disclaimer as I am certainly no Bible scholar, nor do I hold a seminary degree. I say this with all humility as my intention here is to point you to God’s Word, so you can discover the truth, cling to His precious promises, and unpack poignant prophecies. Prophecies that have already unfolded and what is yet to come.
Truthfully, as a believer who has immersed herself in end-time scriptures, the world is still really loud, with a wide range of perspectives, many mixed messages, and information that often leads to confusion and a sense of overwhelm. In other words, Satan would love nothing more than to thwart and obscure any message about the end times. Yet, while this article stems from a fallible and broken human, I pray that it gets to the heart of the matter and ultimately connects you to the source of real truth, allowing you to dig deeper into His Word to gain clarity, peace, and produce a ray of hope.
From one sister to another, I am so glad you are here. In my heart, I believe God led you here on purpose. That’s because He is not a God of chance or happenstance, but of divine power. He is also a comforting God who can and will grant you peace in these unsettling times. Because, let’s face it, we all feel it. The state of our world is changing, the tensions are high, and it just feels heavy. It’s unnerving for sure. But God knows that to drown out “the noise,” you must tune into absolute truth. So, my fellow believer, let’s open our Bibles and dig into some books that may shed light on this subject.
Genesis
Read Genesis 1-11
To find hope in the end times, we must first turn to the beautiful pages of where we meet our loving Creator…in the beginning. We learn that our God is purposeful and intentional, creating order, beauty, and goodness from a void and an empty darkness. Furthermore, He creates the first man and woman, in His own image, breathing life into their lungs, blessing them with provisions and giving them a purpose in this new world – to live together in harmony, embodying His faithful love.
Yet, in this world, we learn that all good things must come to an end. Not because of God’s unwillingness to stop it, but because sin was a part of His plan for eternity. Although God knew man would rebel and sin against Him, He still created mankind for His glory. He also gave them free will and the choice to love Him in return. Love is Who God is, but it’s a choice we make. Grace is what God freely gives, but we must repent to receive it. Redemption is God’s plan for this fallen world and a bold message He gives to us in the beginning, and in the end.
Jesus tells us in Mathew 24:37-39 that the end times would be like the days of Noah. As you read about the flood in Genesis and the corruption, violence, and wickedness that took place at that time, it isn’t hard to draw parallels to current times. As believers, we must stay vigilant and be aware of what is going on in the world, but more importantly, set our sights and minds on God’s sovereignty, goodness, and righteousness, because they have been there from the very beginning!
Daniel
Read Daniel 7-12
There is so much to unpack in the last six chapters of Daniel, but the overall message is clear: God is in control despite the world’s trials and tribulations. Daniel 7 gives us a warning of what is coming. His visions and dreams from God foretell of four empires (Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman) that represent beasts that impact humanity. However, the fourth empire, likely representing Rome, is a terrifying beast with ten horns that eventually leads to the power and rise of the antichrist (Daniel 7-8 and Revelation 13-19).
It is also worth noting that Daniel was written approximately 530 BC, during the Babylonian exile. This time in captivity allowed him to study the prophecy of Jeremiah, which stated the exile would last seventy years. Unfortunately, Gabriel appears in a vision, delivering disappointing news that the oppression would last seven times longer due to Israel’s rebellion against God.
What does all this mean for us today? Daniel 12 continues with what is to come and how Israel will be affected during the final days leading to Jesus’ return. While the great tribulation is coming, the archangel Michael will protect God’s chosen people and Israel. We can have hope in that truth and know that God is faithful and will deliver us from the evils in this world.
Ezekiel
Read Ezekiel 34-39
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived during the same brutal time as Daniel. While he ministers to the exiles, he also has visions. He realizes it is the appearance of the Lord God, bringing a message to the Israelites (Ezekiel 1:26-28). Israel had broken their covenant with God by worshipping idols and living in lawlessness, so the visions were a warning of judgment.
Ezekiel 25-33 lays out the fall of the nations and destruction of Jerusalem, including the sacred temple. All hope seems lost until you begin to dig into the final chapters. The God of hope delivers them from exile and fulfills His promise that there will always be a future for Israel (Ezekiel 11:16-18). Furthermore, God transforms their lives by raising their spiritually dry bones and breathing life back into them, symbolizing the rebirth and reconciliation of Israel.
The story doesn’t end there, and neither do the attacks on Israel, as we have yet to see the final vision Ezekiel has of a ruler named Gog from the land of Magog. This ruler has allies from seven nations around the globe, to illustrate the new Pharaoh (Gog) coming to unleash his fury and wrath. But this is only to set up a new temple that will pave the way to Jesus’ return.
This is where the hope of the Lord comes in, for Israel and for us. “The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east. Then the Spirit lifted me and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” Ezekiel 43:4-5. The imagery continues with God restoring His creation to restorative life and gaining His full presence.
The Gospels (Especially Matthew)
Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21:5-36
As we jump into the New Testament, we begin to see the gospels unravel the most intricate and profound story yet. In fact, it’s the beginning of the greatest story ever written! The story begins years before, as cited in the Old Testament of a Messiah that would come as man (Isaiah 7:14), bring a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34), show us how to live in peace with one another (Isaiah 11:2-5), and then be pierced for our transgressions (Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53), only to rise again (Psalm 16:8-11).
Each gospel shares a personal or intimate account of Jesus. Either they knew Jesus personally and were devoted disciples, or they were bold evangelists who spread the gospel after His death. Each account also depicts details surrounding the “end times,” just as Daniel prophesies, but the gospel of Matthew lays out a pretty comprehensive account, so let’s unpack it.
Matthew 24 and 25 are often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, as this is the moment Jesus shares with His beloved disciples on the Mount of Olives the signs of the end times. This is the longest sermon, given to enhance their understanding of the discourse that is to come to Israel. This teaching is leading up to the seven-year tribulation and His second coming. In the first three and a half years, Israel will experience birth pains, conflict, false teachers, and natural catastrophes (Matthew 24). The second three and a half years will bring famine and death as the antichrist establishes his reign and rises to power. Peace will seem lost, but the hope is that Christ will come, and the final judgment will befall humanity as they are separated into the righteous (sheep) or the unrighteous (goats).
Revelation
Reading all the way through Revelation can feel intimidating, daunting, and confusing. So, as you dig in at your own pace, the outline below is meant to guide you as you digest it slowly and intentionally. Please keep in mind, this is what the Lord has revealed to me as I have yearned to process His Word, especially on this topic. That said, this has also been put in context by my local church pastor and wise counsel. Also, keep in mind that the book of Revelation is full of symbolic and figurative language beyond human understanding, so pausing to pray for wisdom is essential.
As for the authorship and purpose of the book of Revelation, it was written by the Apostle John to share the “revelation” he received from God about the final battle and God’s victory. This is specifically addressed to seven churches in the cities that encompassed Asia Minor. It is also important to note that John’s highlighting of the apocalypse was of joy and optimism, to rejoice in the triumphant return and glory of the Lord.
Now with that background, here is an overview or outline of the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1 – Introduction
Revelation 2 and 3 – John’s letters to the seven churches about the final days. Each containing a judgment, correction, and promise
Revelations 4 and 5 mark the beginning of tribulation, describe the heavenly throne, and the seven-sealed scrolls.
Revelation 6 through 11 – The three and a half years of tribulation, including the seals, seven trumpets, and the rise of the antichrist
Revelation 14 through 18- The three and a half years of more tribulation, warning of judgment, and seven bowls of wrath
Revelation 19 and 20 – Jesus returns in the Battle of Armageddon
Revelation 21 and 22 – New earth and home, the millennium reign, and the heavenly kingdom
Hope is found in the last few chapters of Revelation. There is an open invitation to “come” and receive the gift – the water of life.
More Scriptures and Passages to Discover
Of course, this isn’t a definitive list, as there are so many beautifully placed verses scattered throughout the Bible that pertain to the end times. Take a moment to read some below and allow God to meet you on the pages of His Word. Let His love wash over you, prompting peace and hope. Let Him grant you assurance that He is your comfort and strength in times of great peril. He will have the final say, my dear sister, and He does win!
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29 (Read Joel 2:28-32
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies[a] will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10 (Read 2 Peter 3:3-13)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:37-39
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5:13
Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
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