LAST DAY EVENTS
INTERACTIVE BIBLE STUDY

Are we living in the last days? Study what the Scriptures teach about the events to take place before Christ returns, including false prophets, the Son of Perdition, rapture and the manner of Christ's appearance.

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come" (Acts 2:20).

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Are We Living In the Last Days?

The following answers present several popular beliefs:
  • A. We shouldn't speculate about such things.
  • B. Christ hasn't yet come the first time, so His second coming is a long way off.
  • C. The last days will not occur within my lifetime, because too many of the signs haven't occurred.
  • D. We live in the last days and the second coming of Christ is imminent.




When Are the Last Days?

The Bible frequently references events concerning the last days. Last day events occur between the time of Christ's first advent and His second coming.

Many of the events mentioned refer specifically to the "End of Time", which is the time immediately before Christ's second coming.

Many of the events have already occurred. As you study the evidence, let the Spirit of God direct you in establishing the urgency of the times within your heart.




We Are Supposed to Know When the End Is Near

1
"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you" (Matthew 24:3-4).
1
Jesus told us what will happen so that we won't be deceived.
2
"So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand" (Luke 21:31).
2
We should know when the end is near.
3
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares" (Luke 21:34).
3
The righteous will not be caught off-guard, or be surprised by last day events. They are prepared.




But We Will Not Know the Specific Time

1
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36).
1
No one knows when Christ will return to earth.
2
"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not" (Luke 12:40).
2
Be spiritually prepared at all times.




Last Day Sign: False Christs

1
"For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:5).
1
Many people will erroneously believe that Christ is here on earth.
2
"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:23-24).
2
Jesus said that if someone says they have seen Christ, do not believe them.
3
"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect" (Mark 13:22).
3
No matter how compelling or miraculous, do not believe them.




How to Recognize the True Christ

1
"And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day" (Luke 17:22-24).
1
Christ said not to look for Him until His highly visible second coming, which will be easily seen and recognized.




How to Recognize the Truth Christ

1
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matthew 24:30-31).

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen" (Rev. 1:7).

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thes. 4:16-17).
1
Jesus will return loudly, visibly and every one will see Him. There is nothing secret or unclear about it!




How to Recognize the True Christ

1
"I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Luke 17:34-36).
1
Some people see this text as proving there is a secret rapture. However, that would contradict the rest of the Biblical evidence which points to a very loud and highly visible second coming in the clouds. This text is simply referring to the two types of people who exist when Christ returns to earth.
2
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).
2
People can't be left here on earth to live normally after Jesus returns, because the earth and all that is in it is burned up.




Last Day Sign: False Prophets

1
"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:11).
1
There will be many false prophets.
2
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1).
2
False prophets and teachers have always and will always be among us.




Last Day Sign: True Prophets

1
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" (Joel 2:28).
1
God's messages through His prophets did not end with the Book of Revelation. There will also be prophets in the last days.
2
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of 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).
2
Prophets can be any age, male or female. God can speak through anyone!
3
"Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:20-21).
3
Be ready to test and then accept true prophecy.




How to Test the Prophets

1
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 John 4:1-3).
1
True prophets will believe that Jesus Christ is of God and already came to this earth in human form.
2
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law... Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:22,23,26).
2
These good things will be evident in a true prophet's life. The opposite traits of character will inevitably appear and reoccur in the unrepentant false prophet.




How to Test the Prophets

1
"When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him" (Deut. 18:22).
1
If the prediction of a prophet does not happen, they are a false prophet. False prophets may be able to guess and predict certain things, but only God knows the future.
2
"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).
2
Throughout earth's history, God has provided warnings and instructions through His prophets so that we may be prepared for what is to come.




How to Test the Prophets

1
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Rev. 20:4).
1
A false prophet will not uphold God's Law and will even urge away its restraining influence.

A false prophet will also speak contrary to the Scriptures, which are all the testimony of God to the prophets.




Last Day Sign: Wars

1
"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. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Luke 21:9-10).
1
Before Christ comes again, there will be many wars and talk of wars.




Last Day Sign: Events With the Sun, Moon & Stars

1
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring" (Luke 21:25).

"And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood" (Rev. 6:12).

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come" (Acts 2:20).
1
Specific events in nature will occur.
2
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" (Matthew 24:29).
2
These signs occur after a tribulation.




Last Day Sign: The Righteous Suffer

1
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Mark 13:13).

"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. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another" (Matthew 24:9-10).

"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21).
1
Many trials and persecutions will happen to God's people before Christ comes again.




Last Day Sign: Scoffers

1
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (2 Peter 3:3-4).
1
There will be people doubting that Christ will ever come again.
2
"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts" (Jude 1:17-18).
2
Those who believe in the words of Christ will be mocked.




Last Day Sign: Lack of Love

1
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12).

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" (Rev. 2:4-5).

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16).
1
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord, and the second is to love our neighbor. We should strive to keep our love hot, staying close to Jesus, especially through the challenges of the last days!




Last Day Sign: Gospel Preached to All

1
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14).
1
Jesus will not return to earth until every person has had a chance to hear the gospel.
2
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6).
2
God's people have always been instructed to share the gospel with others. And in the last days, this will be announced and accomplished in a specific way as defined in Revelation 14.




Last Day Sign: Increased Knowledge

1
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4).
1
Awareness and understanding of prophecies will be increased.




Last Day Sign: Extreme Wickedness

1
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
1
Some may even appear Godly, while engaging in the worst acts.
2
"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13).
2
The state of evil will get worse and worse.




Last Day Sign: The Son of Perdition Will be Revealed

1
"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. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time" (2 Thess. 2:3-6).
1
This "Man of Sin" is revealed as someone who claims to be like God, substituting himself in place of God in our lives. He claims worship for himself and positions himself as if sitting in God's temple, which is where Christ is mediator and our sins are forgiven.




Last Day Sign: Spirits of Devils

1
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:13-14).
1
In the last days, evil spirits will perform miracles and will especially influence the leaders of the world.
2
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1).
2
Satan and evil spirits will be hard at work in the last days, which much success.




Last Day Sign: Spirits of Devils

1
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" (Isaiah 8:19).
1
If someone you know seeks after the spirit world, know that you should instead seek after God.
2
"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer" (Deut. 18:9-11).
2
God warns us against all kinds of activities that are inspired by evil spirits (fallen angels). Many of these activities now have modern names, but are based on the same influence.




Last Day Sign: Appearance That Christ Delays His Coming

1
"For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37).

"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" (Matthew 25:5-6).
1
It will appear as though Christ delays His return. Those who do not prepare themselves spiritually, will be caught unawares, like the 5 virgins in this story.
2
"But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:25).
2
God's word and promises to us are sure. We can have complete confidence they will happen.




How Should We Prepare?

1
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience" (James 5:7-10)
1
Have patience. Know that what you wait for is more precious than anything here on earth.

The Greek word translated to "stablish" means to turn resolutely in a certain direction, to set fast, strengthen and to confirm. Settle your mind on Jesus and follow Him without any wavering.

Get along with other believers. Do not blame them, hold grudges or murmur against them.




Discerning Last Day Events Is Important

1
"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" (Matthew 16:3).
1
The Pharisees and Sadducees asked for a sign from heaven about Jesus, even though there were plain signs all around them. Pray and study for discernment with honesty of heart. Recognizing what is coming gives us time to prepare and escape disaster.
2
"Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment" (Psalm 60:3).

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7).
2
Sometimes God reveals things that are difficult or that we don't like; we should still believe them and prepare for them. Only fools despise instruction.




For the Undiscerning, Life Continues As Normal Until the End

1
"And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed" (Luke 17:26-30).
1
Those who do not believe in God's warnings and do not discern the signs of the end will continue life as usual and be destroyed.
2
"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" (Daniel 12:10).
2
The wicked will not recognize the clear signs and will not care to change their lives.




Review the Original Question

Are We Living in the Last Days? The following answers present several popular beliefs:
  • A. We shouldn't speculate about such things.
  • B. Christ hasn't yet come the first time, so His second coming is a long way off.
  • C. The last days will not occur within my lifetime, because too many of the signs haven't occurred.
  • D. We live in the last days and the second coming of Christ is imminent.
Answer D: We live in the last days and second coming of Christ is imminent.




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