WHEN DOES THE END TIMES BEGIN, OR HAVE THEY BEGUN ALREADY

[Brother-Paul]

WHEN DOES THE END TIMES BEGIN, OR HAVE THEY BEGUN ALREADY

Many speak of End Times as now, the period we are living in, and as a result look for the signs Jesus gave in the current day, but is that really correct?

Part of the way we look at these things could be due to the fact that we are born into a time slot. We see the here and now, we consider the past influenced by what we see now and where we live in the world, we look to the future with a present understanding of the past which we haven’t seen.

What are our thoughts on the ‘End Times’ are they in the past, are they present, or are they in the future’?

What does scripture actually tell us? (More than one interpretation so let’s look at the following together)


JOEL’s PROPHESY SAYS

JOEL 2:30-32

30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.

31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

32 And it shall come to pass

That whoever calls on the name of the LORD

Shall be saved.

For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,

As the LORD has said,

Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.


FAST FORWARD TO WHAT PETER STATED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST?

ACTS 2:16-21

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

And they shall prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in heaven above

And signs in the earth beneath:

Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

And the moon into blood,

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

21 And it shall come to pass

That whoever calls on the name of the LORD

Shall be saved.’

Past or future? Let’s stick with the past.

After clarifying for the Jews who had gathered from around the world that the speaking in unlearned languages by Jesus’ followers is not the result of drunkenness (Acts 2:15), Peter asserts that the phenomena of the sound from heaven, the tongues of fire, and the speaking in unlearnt languages (Acts 2:1-4) constitutes the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.

Peter provides a long quotation from the prophet Joel that begins with,

“In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17, quoting Joel 2:28).

The rest of the Joel quotation and Peter’s explanation shows that Peter links the beginning of the last days not merely with the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost but with the entire ministry of Jesus, which includes the giving of the Spirit and the proclamation of salvation for all those who call on the name of the Lord

(Acts 2:21, quoting Joel 2:32).

The content of Joel 2:30-32, which Peter regards as fulfilled, is used to explain more than just the Pentecost phenomena.

NOTE: “in the last days” (en tais eschatais hēmerais) in Acts 2:17

IS AN ADDITION to the text of Joel, who begins this particular prophecy with the phrase “and afterward.”

Peter clarifies that what follows in Joel’s prophecy relates to the last days of God’s history of salvation: the end times as the new age that was ushered in by Jesus.

Joel’s prophecy of “wonders and signs” was fulfilled in the miracles that Jesus performed, which were signs of the coming of the kingdom of God and of his role in this kingdom.

Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled in the events of Jesus’ death, notably in the darkening of the sun, mentioned in Acts 2:20.

The sequence of “wonders” in the sky followed by “signs” on earth corresponds to Luke’s account of the darkening of the sun at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion

(Luke 23:45a),

a “wonder” in the sky, followed by the rending of the curtain in the temple

(Luke 23:45b),

a sign that took place on earth.

The earthquake that Matthew 27:51 reports for the day of Jesus’ crucifixion—a sign on the earth—is not mentioned by Luke in Acts 2, but it would have been remembered by the people living in Jerusalem at the time.

Joel’s reference to “wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below” (Acts 2:19)

Does not introduce a comment on the LAST DAY OF JUDGMENT. The DAY OF JUDGMENT was, for Peter, a FUTURE EVENT that was not “fulfilled” in his day.

Peter links all of Joel 2:28-32, quoted in Acts 2:17-21, with the assertion in Acts 2:16 that “this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel.” Peter only wanted to quote a prophecy that he believed was fulfilled by the phenomena that he wants to explain to the crowd, judgment was to come at the end of the end times.

Both Peter and Luke understood the “wonders and signs” performed by Jesus, as well as the events associated with Jesus’ crucifixion and ascension and the events of Pentecost as representing varying degrees of fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.

Joel speaks of the last days that have begun with Jesus and that will culminate in God’s judgment. The reference to the “last days” establishes how Peter reads the prophets:

God has begun to fulfill his promises; the last days have arrived with Jesus’ ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension, and his bestowal of the Spirit.

In Romans 13:11-12, Paul appeals to the Christians in the city of Rome, to understand “the present time” and explains that “the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

Paul clearly believes that Jesus’ return is the next event in God’s plan.

And this means that he is convinced that he lives in the last days and that the end times have begun.

(Continuing… )

 

[Brother-Paul]

THE FULLNESS OF TIME

Jesus’ First Coming Brought About the Fullness of Time

The end times are a present reality that can be described with the expression “the last days.”

Jesus’ coming, death, and resurrection constitute “the fullness of time” (the last era of God’s history of salvation in which Scripture’s prophecies about the time of messianic deliverance are fulfilled).

The conviction that Jesus’ first coming constitutes the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of Israel’s deliverance and restoration was initiated by Jesus’ proclamation of the dawn of God’s kingdom.

Thus, the conviction of the early Christians—that the period of the last days, expected by the prophets for the future, is a present reality—is grounded in Jesus himself and his message.

Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question about the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs signaling the end of the age is a prophecy of 10 SIGNS, followed with a description of his return.

The first four signs are related to world affairs:

(1) seduction of many people by messianic pretenders who claim to have royal dignity and the ability to redeem Israel;

(2) wars and rumours of war;

(3) famine; and

(4) earthquakes (order of last two signs reversed in Mark and Luke).

The next four signs are related to Jesus’ followers:

(5) persecution, which includes torture, martyrdom, and apostasy;

(6) false prophets who deceive people in the community of Jesus’ followers;

(7) injustice and lack of love among believers; and

(8) the worldwide proclamation of the gospel.

The next sign is

(9) a specific event that relates the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple.

Jesus here mentions six elements:

(i) the “desolating sacrilege” (or “abomination of desolation”), a term that explicitly alludes to the book of Daniel (Dan 8:13; Dan 9:27; Dan 11:31; Dan 12:11), predicts an event that ritually pollutes the temple in Jerusalem;

(ii) people escape from Jerusalem and from the entire province of Judea to the mountains;

(iii) people save their lives as they flee without their possessions;

(iv) pregnant and nursing women are in peril;

(v) the tribulation of these events is horrific (Luke speaks of casualties by killing with the sword, of prisoners led into captivity, of Jews being led into dispersion among the Gentiles, and of pagans controlling Jerusalem); and

(vi) God will cut this time of great suffering short so that the elect will survive. The sign following next

(10) predicts and warns again about the coming of messianic claimants and of false prophets who perform miracles and who intend to deceive Jesus’ followers with predictions of Jesus’ return.

(Continuing… )

 

[Brother-Paul]

SO WHEN WILL CHRIST RETURN

(though we do not know the day or the hour, neither did the disciples)

The answer is quite simple, any day, any hour, any minute. The disciples knew this, they understood the prophesies and what Jesus predicted in their day, they understood, they believed, they prayed, they watched. When Paul spoke about these things he spoke in present tense, there was an urgency, an excitement, we like them should see the same urgency, as Paul said, remain awake, remain clothed, be ready. Does that holiday, changing the car or even covid really matter?

Jesus gave another very clear message, at some point in the ‘end time’ period, between him leaving earth and his second coming, but after the prophesy of the destruction of the temple in AD 70 was fulfilled, he will Return in Glory.

Jesus gave us the warnings, the facts, the signs, he included a series of events that accompany his second coming,

In addition we have other scriptures from the letters and epistles that confirm events within these ‘latter days’ of the end times. Hardening of hearts, children disobedient to their parents, man going with man and woman with woman, people will be lovers of themselves, etc, etc.

Seeing the end times is now almost 2000 years old, realising we are in it, realising we are born in a time slot towards the end of it, realising the 10 signs Jesus gave where fulfilled in the first century sheds a different light on how we see the things we are seeing unfolding before our very eyes.

There are raging waters in diverse places, we are now seeing these happening all over the world, UK, USA, Europe, India, China, etc, etc

There are forest fires all across the world, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Russia, etc, etc. The ground is being scorched, the world calls this and the flood the result of Global warming, we know that God is in control, but the world will go to and fro looking for answers, but will not find the Truth.

The items we are seeing, on the news, almost daily, are increasing in number and intensifying in strength.

It is not just major environmental issues and disasters as they are called, it is all creation, abortions, killing, lawlessness, greed, hatred, coveting, self love, etc, etc. The birth pangs are increasing in number and intensity daily.

All creation groans, the earth and everything on it is groaning, for sin and the curse to be removed, for all things to be made new. Only those who are born again from above and spiritually regenerated will see the new things God will create that he planned from the foundations of time, providing we are awake, providing we are clothed, providing we still have oil in our lamps.

Shalom

If you would like me to add details showing how the 10 Signs Jesus gave were fulfilled in the first century please let me know, this message is long enough at this stage.

 

[PloughBoy]

The New Testament era is "The Last Days." from The Time of Christ Birth, thru The Destroying of all Creation. AND then comes forth a New BIRTH. of "ALL things Brand NEW. "Genesis was the Beginning" And "Revelation The Revealing, The Unveiling" what is to come. after "For eyes have not see" Nor ears have heard, nor enter in the "hearts" of MAN. But GOD have reveal it to us in the SPIRIT. For we have the SPIRIT of GOD. The world thinks "HEAVEN" but HEAVEN is in its last days too. For Heaven is a "Creation" and OLD. BUT OUR GOD The Father is making us Something "BRAND NEW". IN ETERNITY.

The LAST DAYS of All Creation. ALL CREATION! Sun, Moon, EARTH, The Stars, and HEAVEN.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

 

[PloughBoy]

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is at thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcom
eth shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

I know a whole lot Christians don t "believe" this, You can tell by The WAY they talk and The WAY they WALK!

PS And The WAY They Wait, for HIS appearing! "Shall Inherit all Things" and "he Shall be MY SON". For many do not believe and many do not understand!

Answer: I believe since the Birth of Christ until the end CHAPTER Of "Revelations" Is [THE LAST DAYS] and all Creation has Been Destroyed By GOD. Then ALL things "BRAND NEW" Who can "Phantom" that?......................"A True Child of GOD". For Our FATHER has revealed this to us Through Our Lord and SAVIOR "JESUS CHRIST" and Have HIDDEN IT, FROM THE REST.

 

[Brother-Paul]

You are jumping ahead PB.

Q: When does the end time begin, or has it begun?

I understand the excitement brother.

 

[PloughBoy]

You are jumping ahead PB.

Q: When does the end time begin, or has it begun?

I understand the excitement brother.

I know what i am talking about , go read your "Bible" from Front to back about 10 more times in 30 days and then come back and tell me, what do you think. And if the LIGHT comes on. That is "kindergarten" "Last days" and one of the times pay attention to the COVENANTS as you read from from to back.

 

[PloughBoy]

It seems to me you have forgotten the Covenants in The Old Testament.

"Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you:Everything must be fulfilled that is written aboutMe in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.…"

 

[Gregoryp]

The end time has begun. Earthquakes in many lands, volcanos erupting after centuries of being dormant, strange weather events, homosexuality is rampant, the vast majority of the population are lovers of themselves and the world, the rise of the anti christ one world religion, the rise of the one world government, the oppression, the burning of christian temples in Canada, the murder of christians in Africa etc etc. Its over folks, we are talking ten years left at least, perhaps a little more. Anybody who cannot see the above signs and not understand them, is not a follower of christ nor has read the gospel properly.

 

[PloughBoy]

The end time has begun. Earthquakes in many lands, volcanos erupting after centuries of being dormant, strange weather events, homosexuality is rampant, the vast majority of the population are lovers of themselves and the world, the rise of the anti christ one world religion, the rise of the one world government, the oppression, the burning of christian temples in Canada, the murder of christians in Africa etc etc. Its over folks, we are talking ten years left at least, perhaps a little more. Anybody who cannot see the above signs and not understand them, is not a follower of christ nor has read the gospel properly.

SAD, sad, sad. do as you please.

 

[PloughBoy]

(Matthew 24)


King James Bible
All these are the beginning of sorrows.

New King James Version
All these are the beginning of sorrows.

New American Standard Bible
But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.


We must understand Bible terms, and be careful of the money making bible writers who us them.

1. "Last DAYS"
2 "End Times"
3. " The beginning of sorrows"
4. " merely The Beginning of "Birth pains"
5. "Covenants"
6 "AND we are still on this same earth for a 1,000 years, Reigning with JESUS, before a NEW HEAVEN & A NEW EARTH. come to be.
There are "No" more Covenants to be made. For "JESUS CHRIST" is the "Alpha & The Omega" He is The "1st and The LAST".

In the Year, A.D. 68 it was written:

New King James Version
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
has IN THESE LAST DAYS spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

New American Standard Bible
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,
IN THESE LAST DAYS has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.

In A. D. 68 the writer of Hebrews recognize, This man of GOD Knew the meaning of , the term, "The LAST DAYS"! which have already been determine by writers of The OLD Testament. and made plain. When that time would come to be. And "Simeon" said: "My eyes have seen your "SALVATION"! And "JESUS" Declared on the cross; "IT is FINISH" No more, "COVENANTS" For this is The LAST ONE! For The Tester has come as "PROPHESIED", AND I AM ABOUT TO GIVE "UP THE GHOST"

English Revised Version
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.

To usher in The Last Testament, "THE NEW COVENANT" The death of The TESTER, had been accomplish. No more "TESTAMENTS", NO More "COVENANTS" For He is "THE ALPHA & THE OMEGA" "The 1st and THE LAST".

I can " Talk" about the term "These LAST DAYS"! According to "THE WORD of GOD" I am not a "JACKLEG" Proclaimer.

The Biblical text is always right, But our understand is not. and that is nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing wrong with "HOLY SCRIPTURE" But our minds is the problem, and we must recognize that. We must not force a understanding of the biblical text into our minds or seek the minds of others to relay such information to us. If it is not "revealed" to us by the LORD, We do not force, but wait until He decides when He wants to reveal that Truth to us.

We are experiencing "mere" Labor Pains and maybe about to "Be Birth" and to the world, this might be "The Beginning of... [its]... SORROWS".... For this also has been "Declared" by The Bible. ..........For this world does not Heed the WARNINGS. ..........[I hear a constant saying it is going to get better]. Especially by women seeking more success and more opportunities on the arising, they are proclaiming. "Not realizing many are out of the "WILL of GOD". and they need to "TURN AROUND" for many are going the wrong way in the name of JESUS.

And no one is telling them "TURN AROUND" DANGER! TURN For "The Kingdom of GOD" is at hand. "REPENT" For GOD has not called us to be "SUCCESSFUL " But FAITHFUL to The WORD of The LIVING GOD! TURN ,,,, DANGER,,,,,,,, DANGER!

I got sons and daughters and it seems NO ONE IS WARNING MY CHILDREN ,BUT ME! Neither is their mother, They are seeking to be "Millionaires" ! And the Church is cheering them on! And please "DO NOT QUOTE me SOME SCRIPTURE ABOUT SEEKING MONEY and the love of Money" and about what "YOUR CHURCH" is doing!
That is why all my "SANCTIFIED LIFE" THE CHILDREN OF OTHERS I tell them about JESUS and How the "WAGES of SIN is DEATH" and i have study in a way that makes The SALVATION STORY Interesting that maybe "APPROVED" By GOD! and believing "do on to others as you wish them to do unto you" For I do not want some "WEAK ,L,UKE WARM weak read christian telling my children nothing about GOD And i have told that to people, to their face!

You see i know, "I have to give an account to GOD" at the Judgement seat of "CHRIST" and many christians do not care, 1st thing comes out of their mouths "Now there is no condemnation to those who are in "Christ Jesus"! so they are not afraid or ashamed for they have "a get OUT of jail card"! No sleepless nights no pain or sorrow, No labor of words, no mid-night hours. No diligent searches. Just "LUKE WARM" is good enough.

PLEASE LORD, GIVE ME THE WORDS TO SAY, and show me how to say it, to please you and not them. No matter how foolish the words may be, give me courage to speak in way you want me to, at that time. teach me LORD, even through the shame, please help me not to lean on my own understanding. and The wisdom of the WISE.

For over 44 years now, same prayer in my soul and stamp.
And before i read anything related to the word of GOD! I don care if i read ten or 20 thing relating to the Word of GOD or the Word of GOD every day.

"Oh heavenly Father may thy Blesseth Spirit guide me into thy Truth and righteousness as I read from thy word [or words relating to thy word] and stamp them upon the memory banks of my mind and given to me in time of need"

I guess i have said that prayer thousands of times.

 

[Brother-Paul]

The end time has begun. Earthquakes in many lands, volcanos erupting after centuries of being dormant, strange weather events, homosexuality is rampant, the vast majority of the population are lovers of themselves and the world, the rise of the anti christ one world religion, the rise of the one world government, the oppression, the burning of christian temples in Canada, the murder of christians in Africa etc etc. Its over folks, we are talking ten years left at least, perhaps a little more. Anybody who cannot see the above signs and not understand them, is not a follower of christ nor has read the gospel properly.

The end time begun almost 2000 years ago, Jesus gave the 10 Signs, number 9 was the destruction of Jerusalem, AD 70.

Hebrews 1:2
"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son."

1 Peter 1:20
For Christ was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.

So these last times, last days began when Jesus was on earth, during his ministry on earth.

I will follow on with the 10 SIGNS Jesus gave shortly

You are if I may say referring to the latter days of the end times, now, the birth pang period.

Shalom

 

[Brother-Paul]

SIGN 1 - Jesus gave

Speaks of the seduction of many people by messianic pretenders, false messiah's people who say “I am the Messiah” are Jewish would-be leaders who claim to have royal dignity and the ability to redeem Israel.

Since Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah who has already come, Jesus refers here to Jewish leaders with messianic aspirations (the claim to be Jesus the Messiah at his return is hardly in view).

This prediction was fulfilled in the first century and through history since then.

Josephus mentions messianic pretenders for the years leading up to the crisis of a.d. 66–70 in Judea, among them a Samaritan, Theudas, Judas of Galilee, and a Jew from Egypt.

Simon bar Kokhba, the leader of the second Jewish revolt in A.D 132–135 that ended in catastrophe, had messianic aspirations.

Sabbatai Zevi (1626–1676), a rabbi who was born in Smyrna in modern-day Turkey, claimed to be the Messiah at age twenty-two.

He visited Salonica, Cairo, and Jerusalem and converted to Islam in Constantinople in 1666.

He still has followers in Turkey today.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994) inspired such devotion among his followers, the Lubavitch community, that some believed he was the Messiah; when he died at the age of ninety-two in June 1994, some continued to celebrate him as “King Moshiach” (King Messiah).1

SIGN 1 - FULFILLED IN THE FIRST CENTURY AND SINCE.

 

[Brother-Paul]

SIGN 2 - Given by Jesus

Speaks of wars and rumors of war.

The period from A.D. 30–60 was relatively peaceful in territories controlled by the Roman Empire, there were armed conflicts and civil disturbances in the East:

A.D. 33 Disturbances in Armenia caused by the Parthian king Artabanos

A.D. 36 War between Rome and Parthia (a.d. 36)

War between Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, and the Nabatean king Aretas IV

A.D. 39/40 Large demonstrations in Ptolemais and Tiberias of Jews who protest against the Roman legate in Syria who had moved two Roman legions to Judea

A.D. 42 Rebellion in Mauretania

A.D. 43 Invasion of Britain by the Roman general Aulus Plautius and the emperor Claudius

A.D. 48 Unrest in Jerusalem and Judea resulting from the provocative behavior of Roman soldiers; twenty thousand Jewish citizens killed

A.D. 57 Armed conflict between the Roman legate in Moesia and tribes from the North; one hundred thousand resettled people in Moesia

A.D 58 Conquest of Armenia by the Roman general Domitius Corbulo

A.D. 61 Adiabene is attacked by the Armenian king Tigranes V; Syria is threatened by the Parthians

A.D. 62 The Roman general Caesennius Paetus arrives in Cappadocia with the task to annex Armenia; he forces the Parthian king Vologaeses I to capitulate

A.D. 66 Beginning of the Jewish revolt against the Romans

Galilee conquered by the Roman legate Cestius Gallus; defeat of the Roman army in an ambush at Beth Horon by the Jewish insurgents

A.D. 67 Galilee reconquered by the Roman army under General Vespasian

A.D 68 Jewish resistance in the north is crushed by Vespasian

Civil war between the fanatical Zealots and Jews who advocated surrender in Jerusalem

A.D. 68/69 Civil war between the supporters of the “four emperors” Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian

A.D 69 Vespasian becomes emperor; his son Titus finishes the war against the Jews in Judea

A.D 70 Siege and destruction of Jerusalem; according to Josephus, 1.1 million Jews were killed and ninety-seven thousand were enslaved

THERE WERE WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS FROM THE FIRST CENTURY

I do not need to list the major wars from 1200'sto the current day

 

[Brother-Paul]

Sign 3 of 10 from the time of Jesus

FAMINES

Luke adds plagues, horrible events, and signs in the sky) could be observed in Judea less than ten years after Jesus’ prophecy, when there was a severe famine A.D. 44–46)

A.D. 51, there were famines in various regions of the Roman Empire.

Famines continue to characterize the conditions of human existence.

The famine in India under British occupation during the nineteenth century cost 17 million lives, and

The famine caused by Mao Tse-tung’s industrialization program called “Great Leap Forward” cost perhaps 40 million people their lives.

There have been many famines, but the point we note here is A.D. 51 within the first century prophesy was fulfilled

 

[Brother-Paul]

Sign 4 of 10 Jesus stated and started in the first century

EARTH QUAKES could be observed in Judea as well.

• There was a serious earthquake in Palestine some time before A.D 60, and
• there were earthquakes in Asia Minor in A.D. 61,
• in Rome in A.D. 67,
• In Cyprus in A.D. 76, and
• in Pompeii in A.D. 79.

Josephus described the earthquake in Judea of 31 B.C. as “such as had not happened at any time,” and

Pliny called the earthquake in Asia Minor of A.D 17 that devastated Sardis the “greatest” in human memory.

Earthquakes continue to be part of the human experience in many parts of the world, including the Middle East.

It should be noted that Jesus does not predict that there was an increase in earthquakes, as some end-time “specialists” sometimes claim today.

These FIRST 4 SIGNS relate to world affairs and represent false alarms.

• The appearance of messianic pretenders, new wars and rumors of war,
• famines and earthquakes “must take place” and can be observed and connected with Jesus’ prophecy, “but the end is not yet” (Matt 24:6)

Such events are all “but the beginning of the birth pangs” (Matt 24:8)

They characterize the distress of the messianic era that the prophets had predicted, which may be a protracted period until the end (to telos) finally comes.

These labour pains include specifically the suffering of the people living in Jerusalem, which will be besieged and destroyed (Matt 24:15:22)

They describe the suffering that characterizes human history between Jesus’ first and second coming.

EARTHQUAKES THERE WHERE MANY IN THE FIRST CENTURY

 

[Brother-Paul]

SIGN 5 of 10 predicted by Jesus

PERSECUTION

Matt 24:9 predicts persecution and could be observed soon after Jesus’ own arrest, torture, and crucifixion,

• when Peter and John and the Twelve were repeatedly arrested (Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18; Acts 12:3),
• when Stephen and the apostle James were killed (Acts 7:58-60; Acts 12:1-2), and
• when Jerusalem believers and missionaries such as Paul were repeatedly put into prison.

Christians continued to be persecuted, even more severely, in the second, third, and fourth centuries and since then again and again, particularly in the twentieth century in Communist regimes and in Islamic countries.

The prediction of persecution begins with a reference to “tribulation” (thlipsis, Matt 24:9),

thus scripture states, "they will hand you over to be tortured,” niv quotes “you will be handed over to be persecuted”).

The prediction that Jesus’ followers will be “hated by all nations” on account of their allegiance to Jesus reflects the missionary expansion of the church beyond Jerusalem and Judea

JESUS PREDICTED THESE THINGS AND THEY WERE EVIDENT FROM THE FIRST CENTURY IN WHICH THE END TIMES HAD BEGUN.

 

[Brother-Paul]

SIGN 6 of 10 of Jesus predictions

FALSE PROPHETS

Matt 24:10-11, speaks of false prophets who deceive people in the community of Jesus’ followers

This Sign is similar to SIGN 1 but focuses more specifically on impostors who seek to deceive the Christian community.

Acts 20:29-30 Paul warned the elders of the church in Ephesus of “savage wolves” his letters are evidence of the appearance of false teachers in the early church of the first century.

The history of the church continues to be full of examples of heretics and heretical teachings.

ANOTHER of JESUS' SIGNS FULFILLED IN THE FIRST CENTURY

 

[Brother-Paul]

SIGN 7 of Jesus' predictions

INJUSTICE, LACK OF LOVE AMONGST BELIEVERS

Many may find it interesting that this also relates to/from the first century.

Matt 24:12-13 predicts injustice and lack of love among believers, could be observed in the early church.
(e.g., in the church in Ephesus toward the end of the first century, Rev 2:4-5).

Despite examples of incredible Christian love and charity, even to non-Christians, the history of the church has been, unfortunately and tragically, more often than not a history of harsh, sometimes violent attacks against believers and unbelievers.

JESUS PREDICTED AND FROM THE FIRST CENTURY ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED.

 

[Brother-Paul]

SIGN 8 of 10 of these END TIME situations was Predicated by Jesus

GOSPEL PROCLAIMED WORLDWIDE

Worldwide proclamation of the gospel (Matt 24:14), was impressively fulfilled in the first century as the ends of the earth in the south (Ethiopia), west (Spain), north (Scythia), and east (India) were reached with the gospel.

Once the gospel has been proclaimed throughout the world, the end can come.

Since the first century, the gospel has been taken to all regions and all nations of the earth.

This prediction my Jesus has been 'on going since the Great Commission', we would be wrong to predict how much of the world needs to hear the Gospel, God knows and that is all that matters. One thing is very clear and we all agree on, there isn't much of the world left for the Gospel to be preached.

The Gospel ball started rolling in Jesus time, time is very short, Christ will Return in Glory at any time, remain awake, remain prepared.