I think we could all agree that the year 2020 has been one for the record books: Devastating fires, hurricanes, riots, unemployment, and last but not least, a world-wide pandemic and lock-down.

Many have begun to ask, “Is this the end times? Is the Lord coming soon?”

After hearing one of my pastor’s preach a series entitled Tipping Point – The End is Here, I believe we are near the end of the end times. I would like to share a small amount of information that is in his book.

First, don’t panic! The whole point of Pastor Jimmy Evans preaching this series is to give us a peace. Those in Christ and living for Him will be raptured before the tribulation occurs.

For those who aren’t sure what the rapture is, the book of I Thessalonians addresses the return of Christ in every chapter. It means ‘to seize hastily; to snatch away.’ Jesus says He will return and take His church away.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God…Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we will always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thes. 4:15-18

NOTE: The Bible clearly says that no one, only the Father, will know the day and time of the return of Jesus. However, Jesus spoke many times on what to look for and expect:

And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?  Matthew 16:3

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.  Mark 13:8 

Were you aware that about 1/3 of the Bible is about prophecy? And most of these are about the end times. Jesus wants us to know what is coming and to be ready.

Let me share some of Pastor Evans points that reveal what the Bible says about the end times:

1. Israel. The end-times began when God brought the Jewish people back to their land in May 1948. (See Joel 2:31-3:2) Until then, they had been dispersed throughout the world since 70 AD when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. Jesus also told His disciples in Matthew 24:34: “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” He was referring to a generation (which is 70-80 years) when everything foretold happens. Jimmy Evans believes that we are near the end of that generation since Israel became a nation in 1948 and prophetic occurrences have happened. 

2. Morality. The lack of morality in our world has become increasingly degraded and evil. Remember Noah and his ark? The world at that time had become so evil that God destroyed every living person except Noah and his family. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Fire and brimstone fell from heaven and destroyed every living person except Lot and his family. If God judged the world at those times, get ready for His wrath now! It will come during the Tribulation. The apostle John writes in Revelation that one third of humanity will be destroyed (9:15) by three plagues. For that reason, there will be no buying or selling, nor will there be marrying and giving in marriage. The world’s economies will collapse, and billions will die. That’s one reason for those in Christ not to fear. God will “rapture” His own first before His judgement falls. Our world is as bad or worse than those times. Here is a description of our world today, written over 2,000 years ago:“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…(2 Timothy 3:1-9). 

3. Technology. There are four parts of advanced technology the world now has. First, we have gained knowledge that can baffle the mind. Human knowledge used to double approximately every century. Around the World War II, it doubled around every 25 years. In 2020, IBM estimates the rate of knowledge doubling will increase to once every 12 hours! The book of Daniel prophesizes this.Next, we have global information. Our satellite TV and the internet and our cell phones can communicate around the world in seconds. When the two witnesses preach in Jerusalem and are then killed, the Bible says, “…peoples from all nations will see their dead bodies…” (Revelation 11:4 -10). How will the whole world see them? Through this technology that is now available.

   Chip Technology. Global financial control is becoming a reality because the Antichrist will need this to control the world through financial power. We now have chip technology that has been put in people. Sounds like the mark of the beast, yes? No one will be able to buy or sell without this chip. The world’s finances will be totally controlled, and we have that capability now.

   Last, technology has been able to clone animals and many want to clone humans. This genetic engineering is horrifying. Over 40 countries have prohibited human cloning but in January 2014, Forbes Magazine declared, “The era of genetically altered humans could begin this year.” And in November 2018, a Chinese biophysics researcher announced he had edited the genes of twin girls prior to birth.

4. Time. God is the designer of time. In 2 Peter 3:1 -9, Peter writes: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.”
   God has His own personal calendar, and many believe His calendar is revealed in Genesis. That one day of creation correlates to 1,000 years of mankind living in the world. Many Jewish scholars taught this. That during the first 6,000 years, humans will have an opportunity to manage the earth. Then Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years.

   Pastor Evans believes that humanity’s 6,000 years are almost over.

   But don’t be alarmed. God has given us assurance in the Bible that we will be protected before God’s wrath comes again upon the earth:

   As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all (Luke 17:26-27).

I want to end with the good news that God is in control! Jesus is coming again, and no one on earth can stop Him. Jesus said, “When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Jesus wants us to watch for signs and to be ready for His return!

And we should plan our life as though Jesus is not returning for a hundred years and live as though Jesus is returning today.

I pray this blog encourages you to check where you are Spiritually. Is Christ in you and are you in Christ? If not, it is time to ask Him into your life:

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10

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If you would like to see the sermons that Pastor Jimmy Evans preached recently on the end times go to:  https://gatewaypeople.com/series/tipping-point

And the book Tipping Point – The End is Here is available at:  https://store.gatewaypeople.com/tipping-point-hb.html