Considering the current conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas, it has become necessary to discuss end time prophecy. The format of this Bible Study is designed to be very personal. Rather than being written from an objective position, it was written in first person for the edification of others. 

It is unfortunate that many people begin to study prophecy during times of conflict and tension. You and I must operate differently. Why? During times of distress, people look for answers rather than looking for direction from God before becoming lost or confused by current events. So-called religious leaders, pastors, and “prophets” disgustingly take advantage of those looking for answers when something occurs. I want to encourage you to be careful not to fall into hyper-sensationalized interpretation of prophecy. We are living in the age of mass digital entertainment and there is no shortage of charlatans producing content for ad revenue.  

I suggest that you take some time researching the term click-bait! You may find that much of the media you consume falls into this category. I deliberately consume a certain amount of click-bait to be knowledgeable enough to help others avoid sacrificing their precious time to follow religious, political, and social deception. To be fair, some of these content producers may sincerely hold their beliefs, but sincerity is not a substitute for truth. It is said that the Bereans of the first century church, “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were true.” (Acts 17:11) We must do the same when listening to others professing to teach from the Bible.  

Be Not Troubled   

God the Father has been very gracious towards us by providing for us many passages pertaining to the time we live in. Unfortunately, many limit their study of prophecy to times of distress and promote inaccurate interpretations to others. Jesus said, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled…” (Matt. 24:6) 

Do you need to be a “bible scholar” to understand the verse quoted above? No! But just in case it is not plain enough, I will quote a companion verse below:  

“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.” (Luke 21:9) 

Sadly, some think they are doing God a favor by trying to scare people into repentance!!! God the Father does not need you, me, or anyone else to try to scare people into a relationship with Him. In fact, Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44) He followed this up by saying, “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” (John 6:65) Notice that Jesus did not say that no man can come unto Him unless His disciples scare them into making a decision.  

Now, pertaining to wars and rumors of war, Jesus said that we are not to be troubled by these things. This means that no follower of Jesus Christ should be troubled by wars and rumors of war amongst other things listed in Jesus’ prophecy. The meaning of the Greek word translated into troubled is to wail; to clamor, i.e. (by implication) to frighten. This same Greek word was used two other times in Mark 13:7 and II Thes. 2:2. This is important to mention because II Thes. 2:2 was Paul’s warning to the Thessalonians against being deceived about when Jesus Christ would return. Paul warned them not to be troubled by the claims of others. Then he gives specific things to look for I.e., apostasy and the revealing of the son of perdition. 

These things are to happen before the Great Tribulation, according to Paul. Are you shaking in mind? Are you troubled? Why? Jesus told you not to be!!! 

Fear of Death   

Are you afraid of death? This is a serious question. I’m not asking this because I am insensitive. I am asking because Jesus told you and I not to be troubled about actual wars and rumors of wars. Currently, you can find many sources claiming that we are on the verge of WW3. Do you realize that these are not new claims? Do you realize that people have been claiming this since WW2?  

To be clear, I am not saying that a larger war is impossible; however, this does not mean that the day of Christ is at hand. You and I must study the prophecies intimately before assuming what we are seeing is a fulfillment of prophecy. The book of Daniel says: 

“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.¹⁰ Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:9-10) 

It is not my intention to judge others as wicked or wise; however, Jesus says, “by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20) It is my contention that many do not understand prophecy and have therefore revealed themselves as wicked. In addition, rather than cautioning their audiences against fear, they play on their natural disposition towards fear for views.  

Again, are you afraid of death? If you have been carefully studying prophecy, then you should know that persecution of the followers of Jesus will increase before the Great Tribulation. Please read the Olivet Prophecy carefully!!! This is something that many of us will have to deal with. This is why Jesus said, “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:13) The verse before discusses the love of many waxing cold. This is talking about Christians losing the love of God. The word love was translated from agape which is the love of God. The unconverted world has never had the love of God! 

Read the following outline carefully: 

1. Christians will be delivered up to be afflicted and hated by all nations. Christians will fall away and betray each other. (Matt. 24:9-10) 

2. False prophets shall arise and deceive Christians. (verse 11) 

3. Lawlessness amongst Christians shall multiply, causing the love of God in them to go cold! (verse 12) 

These events are outlined as being just before the Great Tribulation by the words of Jesus Christ! This happens after the beginning of sorrows mentioned in the verses proceeding verse 8. Do you realize that some of us will be persecuted, killed, and betrayed?!?! 

Again, are you afraid of death? If you are, how will you endure until the end? Ask yourself, “Am I too focused on wars and rumors of wars?” “Am I troubled by world events?” The reality is human history is riddled with wars, rumors of wars, famines, disease, and natural disasters, but you as a Christian are not to live in fear. Jesus told you to be not troubled by the beginning of sorrows!!! Many of the things we are seeing today are just the beginning of sorrows. Jesus said when you see these things, know that they must come to pass but the end is not yet (Matt. 24:6) This includes wars and rumors of wars!!! 

To be filled with fear is a sign of a lack of faith!!! Are you too concerned with physical death? Have you lost sight of the promise of eternal life? If you and I are faithful to God, then we have no need to worry about the troubles to come. The faithful will receive their reward at the return of Jesus Christ, whether we die or remain alive until that time (Rev. 22:12). 

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28) 

 Are you afraid of death?  

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33) 

It is my belief that those who are afraid of losing their lives will be the “Christians” who betray their brethren in an attempt to save themselves. Will you be one of those people? I pray not! 

It is my desire that anyone professing the name of Jesus Christ will be a Rev. 12:11 Christian.  

“And they overcame him [satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”  

Do you suppose that this physical existence is more precious than eternal life? This is something Christians will have to wrestle with as the Great Tribulation approaches. If you have not, I urge you to wrestle and defeat the fear of death as soon as possible.  

Many Shall Be Afflicted and Killed 

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” (Matt. 24:9) 

After listing the beginning of sorrows, Jesus warns of persecution and death. In addition, He gave the stunning proclamation that His followers will be hated of ALL nations for His name’s sake! Do you suppose that this proclamation applied to the first century church? How, when they were growing in number rather than declining? How could all nations hate what they did not know yet? What about the “conversion” of the Roman Empire into Christendom? These points should destroy the notion that hatred from all nations has already been fulfilled! 

I submit to you that the martyrdom of the past was a fulfillment of John 16:1-3. Jesus discusses that His disciples will be killed by those who think they are doing God a service. Truly the martyrdom of the saints has stemmed from professing Christians killing Christians who truly knew God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a fact of history and will happen again as the Great Tribulation approaches. The difference in the end times, is all nations will contribute to murderous activity. 

The persecution of those who identify as Christian is on the rise in some countries. This is an undeniable fact that can be proven through minimal research. Despite this fact, we must approach this point with a sensible mind. Consider the following: 

1. Not everyone who identifies as Christian is Christian!!! 

2. Persecutors do not differentiate between those who truly follow the tenants of Jesus and those who do not. 

3. The central issue of persecution is doctrine (and a lifestyle) that openly disagrees with those in power and the consenting majority of the population.  

It is not my intention to judge the sincerity of other Christians; however, it would be unwise to assume that every persecuted Christian is truly a Christian. Typically, anyone who teaches the opposite of those in power will be persecuted, but that does not mean that those teachings are consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ. It simply disagrees with the “powers that be” and therefore is a pretext for persecution. For example, there is persecution of people claiming to be Christian and people claiming to be Muslim in some Asia countries. Being under persecution is not exclusively a Christian condition!  

Remember, Jesus gave this outline of prophecy to His disciples. His message does not apply to those who are not truly His disciples. Jesus taught, “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31) In Matt. 7:24-25, Jesus proclaims that those who hear and do His sayings as wise. Jesus disciples do not pick and choose which sayings they want to follow. You and I better be wise enough to do what the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded!! 

For My Name’s Sake 

Just before the Great Tribulation, you and I (if we are real disciples of Jesus) will be hated of all nations for His name’s sake. The use of the phrase “for my name’s sake” must be discussed. This is not merely about Jesus’ literal name. For my name’s sake is about honor, glory, and reputation. When you do something in the name of someone else, you are doing it to his/her glory, or you are participating in the process of maintaining his/her reputation by carrying out orders.  

Have you ever heard the expression I am going to make a name for myself? This phrase means I am going to gain a reputation, honor, praise, or renown by taking certain actions. Read Gen. 11:3-4 for an example of this. The people gathered to build (take action) a city and tower to make themselves a name (a reputation, glory, honor). Read the verse below carefully. 

“For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.“ (Isa. 48:9) 

The implication of Jesus’ statement is that His servants will be hated by the nations for the sake of His reputation, honor, praise, and glory!!! What glory is it to Jesus that those who hypocritically claim His name but do not do His works are persecuted by the nations? Again, this is not a statement of judgement, but an analysis of the facts. This is no different than the Israelites making at golden calf and proclaiming a feast unto the Lord (Ex. 32:1-5). God the Father and Jesus Christ are not glorified by this kind of behavior! Those who perform the good works of God bring glory to the Father (Matt. 5:16). Unfortunately, the world will hate those who bring real glory to God!  

Prophetic Timeline Reiterated 

Let us review the prophetic timeline as given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ on more time.  

1. False Christianity shall arise claiming to come in Jesus’ name. Many shall be deceived by this impure religion. (Matt 24:4-5) 

2. Wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes will occur. (Matt. 24:6-8) These are the beginning of sorrows.  

3. Persecution of the saints of God will ramp up. Members of the church will betray and hate one another. (Matt. 24:9-10) 

4. False prophets will come on the scene and deceive many. (Matt. 24:11) 

5. Lawlessness will multiply and the love of God shall grow cold in the church of God (Matt. 24:12). (The world has been lawless for millennia. This is referring to the saints becoming lawless and losing the love of God which should have been shed abound (Rom. 5:5))    

These things are listed as taking place before the abomination of desolation, which follows Jerusalem being surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20). These events must take place before the Great Tribulation!! 

If you are paying close attention to world events, you should be able to tell what has taken place and what has not. The ignorance of others is not an excuse for you not to know how world events will play out! 

Additionally, we must be humble enough to recognize that some of these critical events may occur concurrently rather than occurring sequentially. Nevertheless, Jesus’ prophetic timeline is obviously sequential by the use of words like then and after.  

Jesus tells you and I not to be troubled as we see these things coming to pass. In fact, He tells us to watch for them. Stop allowing others to stir you up emotionally and cause you to be afraid. If you study prophecy prayerfully and carefully, then you will understand the timeline thoroughly and avoid being afraid of wars and rumors of wars.  

It is written, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Tim 1:7) 

Rather than dwell on the terror to come, set your mind on the glorious return of Jesus Christ in the clouds. It is my hope to see you as we meet Him in the air!!!