An End times teaching and bible study

 

            As I was reading a passage in Acts 2 which I will share, I feel led to do an end times teaching featuring that, and also the Joel chapter 2 chapter which it draws from, and other end times scriptures which I believe are taking place even now with people.

Here is the Joel 2 chapter which not only encourages a time of repentance but also prophesies a great time with a huge outpouring of the Spirit, a time which I am led to believe we are in now and will accelerate more and more until the Lord comes back to rapture His bride

(Joel 2:1)  Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near,

 

(Joel 2:2)  a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations.

 

(Joel 2:3)  Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.

 

(Joel 2:4)  Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run.

 

(Joel 2:5)  As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, like a powerful army drawn up for battle.

 

(Joel 2:6)  Before them peoples are in anguish; all faces grow pale.

 

(Joel 2:7)  Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths.

 

(Joel 2:8)  They do not jostle one another; each marches in his path; they burst through the weapons and are not halted.

 

(Joel 2:9)  They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls, they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.

 

(Joel 2:10)  The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.

 

(Joel 2:11)  The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it?

 

(Joel 2:12)  "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

 

(Joel 2:13)  and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

 

(Joel 2:14)  Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?

 

(Joel 2:15)  Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;

 

(Joel 2:16)  gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.

 

(Joel 2:17)  Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"

 

(Joel 2:18)  Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people.

 

(Joel 2:19)  The LORD answered and said to his people, "Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

 

(Joel 2:20)  "I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things.

 

(Joel 2:21)  "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!

 

(Joel 2:22)  Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.

 

(Joel 2:23)  "Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.

 

(Joel 2:24)  "The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

 

(Joel 2:25)  I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.

 

(Joel 2:26)  "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

 

(Joel 2:27)  You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

 

(Joel 2:28)  "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

 

(Joel 2:29)  Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

 

(Joel 2:30)  "And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.

 

(Joel 2:31)  The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

 

(Joel 2:32)  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.

 

Here also is the part of the Acts 2 sermon of Peter which quotes this discussion above in Joel, because of the people wondering about the apostles speaking in tongues. While some of Joel’s prophecy was filled then but I believe much of the prophecy in Joel has yet to be fulfilled but will be very soon.

(Acts 2:16)  But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

 

(Acts 2:17)  "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on 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 2:18)  even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

 

(Acts 2:19)  And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

 

(Acts 2:20)  the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

 

(Acts 2:21)  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

 

(Acts 2:22)  "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know--

 

(Acts 2:23)  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

 

(Acts 2:24)  God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

 

I am going to continue this study next with some end times passages especially in the epistles of the Thessalonians, Timothy, and 2 Peter.

The first one up is the prophetic passage in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 which speaks of the day of the Lord mentioned in Joel and Acts coming suddenly with sudden destruction but the believer is not destined for wrath but salvation through Jesus

(1 Thessalonians 5:1)  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:2)  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:3)  While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:4)  But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:5)  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:6)  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:7)  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:8)  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:9)  For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:10)  who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:11)  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

 

2 Thessalonians 2 speaks of the coming of the Antichrist and the strong delusion on non believers but also very strongly suggests that the antichrist cannot really manifest himself until the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way which really cannot happen until the rapture when the believers go away.

(2 Thessalonians 2:1)  Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:2)  not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:3)  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:4)  who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:5)  Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:6)  And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:7)  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:8)  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:9)  The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:10)  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:11)  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:12)  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

Now here are two prophecies concerning the people of the last days being nasty and selfish which many indeed are becoming. The first of these is in Proverbs 30

(Proverbs 30:11)  There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.

 

(Proverbs 30:12)  There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.

 

(Proverbs 30:13)  There are those--how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!

 

(Proverbs 30:14)  There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind.

 

The other is in 2 Timothy 3  which is a very strong message of these days, too stating the way people are very rapidly becoming

(2 Timothy 3:1)  But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

 

(2 Timothy 3:2)  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

 

(2 Timothy 3:3)  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,

 

(2 Timothy 3:4)  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

 

(2 Timothy 3:5)  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

 

(2 Timothy 3:6)  For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

 

(2 Timothy 3:7)  always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

 

(2 Timothy 3:8)  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.

 

(2 Timothy 3:9)  But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

 

Now here are some prophecies of false teachers and what not, including these two verses in 2 Timothy 4

(2 Timothy 4:3)  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

 

(2 Timothycc 4:4)  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

 

These verses also in 1 Timothy chapter 6 also speak of false teachers and also the love of money and greed which also is very prevalent today

(1 Timothy 6:3)  If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,

 

(1 Timothy 6:4)  he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

 

(1 Timothy 6:5)  and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

 

(1 Timothy 6:6)  Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,

 

(1 Timothy 6:7)  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

 

(1 Timothy 6:8)  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

 

(1 Timothy 6:9)  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

 

(1 Timothy 6:10)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

 

Hebrews chapter 10 gives and encouraging message to hold on to our faith and not depart from it plus a very stern warning against continuing to sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth

(Hebrews 10:23)  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

 

(Hebrews 10:24)  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

 

(Hebrews 10:25)  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

(Hebrews 10:26)  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

 

(Hebrews 10:27)  but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

 

(Hebrews 10:28)  Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

 

(Hebrews 10:29)  How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

 

(Hebrews 10:30)  For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people."

 

(Hebrews 10:31)  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

(Hebrews 10:32)  But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,

 

(Hebrews 10:33)  sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.

 

(Hebrews 10:34)  For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

 

(Hebrews 10:35)  Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

 

(Heb 10:36)  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

 

(Hebrews 10:37)  For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;

 

(Hebrews 10:38)  but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

 

(Hebrews 10:39)  But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

 

Here is the scripture in 2 Peter chapter 3 which warns of scoffers and mockers in these last days but the Lord is patient and wants all to repent, but also will not be hesitant to apply judgment to the situation when the time comes right- and I believe we are not far from that time

(2 Peter 3:1)  This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,

 

(2 Peter 3:2)  that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,

 

(2 Peter 3:3)  knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

 

(2 Peter 3:4)  They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

 

(2 Peter 3:5)  For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,

 

(2 Peter 3:6)  and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.

 

(2 Peter 3:7)  But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

 

(2 Peter 3:8)  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

 

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

 

(2 Peter 3:10)  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 will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

 

(2 Peter 3:11)  Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,

 

(2 Peter 3:12)  waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

 

(2 Peter 3:13)  But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

 

(2 Peter 3:14)  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

 

(2 Peter 3:15)  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

 

(2 Peter 3:16)  as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

 

(2 Peter 3:17)  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

 

(2 Peter 3:18)  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

 

Now I will share some teachings on the end times by  first in Luke 12 which warns people to be ready for Jesus’ coming for He will come when we don’t expect it.

(Luke 12:35)  "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,

 

(Luke 12:36)  and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.

 

(Luke 12:37)  Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.

 

(Luke 12:38)  If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!

 

(Luke 12:39)  But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.

 

(Luke 12:40)  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

 

(Luke 12:41)  Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"

 

(Luke 12:42)  And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?

 

(Luke 12:43)  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

 

(Luke 12:44)  Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

 

(Luke 12:45)  But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,

 

(Luke 12:46)  the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.

 

(Luke 12:47)  And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.

 

(Luke 12:48)  But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

 

Now I include the powerful end times chapter Matthew 24 which Jesus gives many warnings and parables of the end times which have are now coming to pass more and more these days.

(Matthew 24:1)  Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.

 

(Matthew 24:2)  But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."

 

(Matthew 24:3)  As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?"

 

(Matthew 24:4)  And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.

 

(Matthew 24:5)  For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.

 

(Matthew 24:6)  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

 

(Matthew 24:7)  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

 

(Matthew 24:8)  All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

 

(Matthew 24:9)  "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

 

(Matthew 24:10)  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

 

(Matthew 24:11)  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

 

(Matthew 24:12)  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

 

(Matthew 24:13)  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

 

(Matthew 24:14)  And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

 

(Matthew 24:15)  "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

 

(Matthew 24:16)  then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

 

(Matthew 24:17)  Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,

 

(Matthew 24:18)  and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

 

(Matthew 24:19)  And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!

 

(Matthew 24:20)  Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

 

(Matthew 24:21)  For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

 

(Matthew 24:22)  And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

 

(Matthew 24:23)  Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it.

 

(Matthew 24:24)  For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

 

(Matthew 24:25)  See, I have told you beforehand.

 

(Matthew 24:26)  So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

 

(Matthew 24:27)  For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

 

(Matthew 24:28)  Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

 

(Matthew 24:29)  "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

 

(Matthew 24:30)  Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

 

(Matthew 24:31)  And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 

(Matthew 24:32)  "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

 

(Matthew 24:33)  So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

 

(Matthew 24:34)  Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

 

(Matthew 24:35)  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

(Matthew 24:36)  "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

 

(Matthew 24:37)  For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

 

(Matthew 24:38)  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,

 

(Matthew 24:39)  and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

 

(Matthew 24:40)  Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.

 

(Matthew 24:41)  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

 

(Matthew 24:42)  Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

 

(Matthew 24:43)  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

 

(Matthew 24:44)  Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

 

(Matthew 24:45)  "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?

 

(Matthew 24:46)  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

 

(Matthew 24:47)  Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

 

(Matthew 24:48)  But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,'

 

(Matthew 24:49)  and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards,

 

(Matthew 24:50)  the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know

 

(Matthew 24:51)  and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

And now I am going to do some end times parables of Jesus first starting with the one of the wedding feast in Matthew 22 which gives a similar warning to be ready and willing

(Matthew 22:1)  And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,

 

(Matthew 22:2)  "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,

 

(Matthew 22:3)  and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.

 

(Matthew 22:4)  Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.'

 

(Matthew 22:5)  But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,

 

(Matthew 22:6)  while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.

 

(Matthew 22:7)  The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

 

(Matthew 22:8)  Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.

 

(Matthew 22:9)  Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.'

 

(Matthew 22:10)  And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

 

(Matthew 22:11)  "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.

 

(Matthew 22:12)  And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.

 

(Matthew 22:13)  Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

 

(Matthew 22:14)  For many are called, but few are chosen."

 

Here is a series of parables in Matthew 13 of which relate to the separation of the wheat and tares and other related parables separating good and bad people at the end times by the angels

(Matthew 13:24)  He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

 

(Matthew 13:25)  but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

 

(Matthew 13:26)  So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.

 

(Matthew 13:27)  And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?'

 

(Matthew 13:28)  He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'

 

(Matthew 13:29)  But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.

 

(Matthew 13:30)  Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

 

(Matthew 13:31)  He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

 

(Matthew 13:32)  It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

 

(Matthew 13:33)  He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."

 

(Matthew 13:34)  All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.

 

(Matthew 13:35)  This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."

 

(Matthew 13:36)  Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

 

(Matthew 13:37)  He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

 

(Matthew 13:38)  The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

 

(Matthew 13:39)  and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels.

 

(Matthew 13:40)  Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age.

 

(Matthew 13:41)  The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,

 

(Matthew 13:42)  and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

(Matthew 13:43)  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

 

(Matthew 13:44)  "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 

(Matthew 13:45)  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

 

(Matthew 13:46)  who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

 

(Matthew 13:47)  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

 

(Matthew 13:48)  When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.

 

(Matthew 13:49)  So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

 

(Matthew 13:50)  and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

(Mat 13:51)  "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."

 

(Matthew 13:52)  And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

 

Here is Matthew chapter 25 with three related parables, first the ten virgins, which is rapture related warning all to be related, second the talents parable to remind us we are accountable for all that we do and third the judgment of the nations which reminds us to do good deeds for what we do and do not do it to the least one of these we have done it for failed to do it to Jesus

(Matthew 25:1)  "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

 

(Matthew 25:2)  Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

 

(Matthew 25:3)  For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

 

(Matthew 25:4)  but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

 

(Matthew 25:5)  As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

 

(Matthew 25:6)  But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'

 

(Matthew 25:7)  Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

 

(Matthew 25:8)  And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

 

(Matthew 25:9)  But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'

 

(Matthew 25:10)  And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

 

(Matthew 25:11)  Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'

 

(Matthew 25:12)  But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

 

(Matthew 25:13)  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

 

(Matthew 25:14)  "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.

 

(Matthew 25:15)  To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

 

(Matthew 25:16)  He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.

 

(Matthew 25:17)  So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.

 

(Matthew 25:18)  But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.

 

(Matthew 25:19)  Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

 

(Matthew 25:20)  And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'

 

(Matthew 25:21)  His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'

 

(Matthew 25:22)  And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'

 

(Matthew 25:23)  His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'

 

(Matthew 25:24)  He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,

 

(Matthew 25:25)  so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'

 

(Matthew 25:26)  But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?

 

(Matthew 25:27)  Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

 

(Matthew 25:28)  So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.

 

(Matthew 25:29)  For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

 

(Matthew 25:30)  And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

 

(Mathewt 25:31)  "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

 

(Matthew 25:32)  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

 

(Matthew 25:33)  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

 

(Matthew 25:34)  Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 

(Matthew 25:35)  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

 

(Matthew 25:36)  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'

 

(Matthew 25:37)  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

 

(Matthew 25:38)  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

 

(Matthew 25:39)  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

 

(Matthew 25:40)  And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

 

(Matthew 25:41)  "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

(Matthew 25:42)  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,

 

(Matthew 25:43)  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'

 

(Matthew 25:44)  Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'

 

(Matthew 25:45)  Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'

 

(Matthew 25:46)  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

 

I will rap this up by giving a presentation on the rapture which I strongly urge all readers to pray to be ready for because you do not want to miss it and then have to face the seven year tribulations period which will be more terrible than any other time on the earth because you missed the rapture something you did not need to do so please call out to Jesus today so you do not miss this rapture

Rapture         

I will conclude and wrap this teaching up by saying that the way people are now(not too unlike the way they were at Noah’s time and also the time Sodom, which are things which Jesus prophesied about in scriptures in Matthew, Mark and Luke)and all the many other end times signs which are occurring currently(animals dying, food prices rising, wars, rumors of wars, crazy weather and so on) are birth pangs of the coming tribulation period and  sure signs the rapture is not far way, indeed, I still believe that the rapture could be any day at any time, of which the Heavenly Father only knows). So cheer up, your redemption is drawing closer and closer every day that passes. Also please remember that Jesus loves you more than You can possibly know, and also by posting this about the rapture, too, which does duplicate some of the scriptures, but that is for emphasis for the rapture is too important and you absolutely DO NOT want to miss it:

 

                                  THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT!!! ARE YOU READY????

 

            I am very strongly led to believe the rapture is very imminent, and could happen any day at anytime at all. Nobody knows the exact time for the rapture but the Father God Himself. I cannot strongly enough advise all of you to get your hearts right with Jesus by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if there is any Sin /iniquity/ uncleanness in your heart, mind etc and repenting of any and all items brought to your mind right away, asking the Holy Spirit to cleanse you and your garments so that they are spotless, being washed by the blood of Jesus. I am a man, needing the blood of Jesus for cleansing as much as everyone else, and believe me I am doing the same thing. This repenting is a continuous process, not just a one time thing; I have found that I myself have been repenting several times throughout the day. I know that it will be God's grace and mercy ONLY that I make the rapture, not anything I do, I am well aware of the fact that grace alone being what saves, and not works lest any should boast, but also faith without works is dead so I am sharing this with everyone, in the hopes that a few, even just one person, would wake up in time, and repent, for the remaining time here is very short.

            I post and share this document for I deeply care for people and DO NOT want anyone to miss the rapture and find themselves left behind to face the 7 year tribulations which will follow the rapture which will be pure a horrific time on earth, the most horrific ever, in fact, where you will have to hide in caves or in mountains, away from all the evil and very selfish people, be an absolute survival expert, which many are not and absolutely refuse at all costs to take the mark of the beast(666).As a result of your refusal to take this mark, you won’t be able to buy or sell anything, work, eat, live in a normal way, and so on, and most likely you’ll be killed for it, but that is far better than taking the mark and ending up in the lake of fire for eternity, as each and every man and woman  who take the mark of the beast will end up in the lake of fire, where there will be absolutely no rest from their torment night or day(Revelation 14).  Even doing all the precautions, hiding by getting away from all population centers and into the mountains, and so on may not be enough because many if not most people, in fact will not survive the judgments that God will pour out on the world in this time period, in the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments as well as the judgment and destruction of the daughter of Babylon. All these events are described in good detail in the book of Revelation in chapters 6 through 18, which I strongly advise all to read. Here is a link an excellent animated video of the entire book of revelation for you to watch

 

 

 The tribulation period of seven years absolutely will make today's evil world seem like life in paradise by comparison. I very strongly suggest reading the book of Revelation chapters 6 through 18 which tell you specifically what sort of events and judgments the world will see during this tribulation period.

Here are some rapture related scriptures:

 (1 Corinthians 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

 

(1Thessolonians 4:16) 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:

 

(1Thessolonians 4:17) 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.

 

God wants to keep us from this tribulation by His love and mercy Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."  The implication of this verse is obvious:  If the end-time Christian does NOT stay close to the Lord and endure to the end, HE WILL NOT BE KEPT FROM THE TRIBULATION HOUR Revelation 3 verse 10, so it is IMPERATIVE to stay close to the Lord in these last days. 

Now I have a very special warning message to all those who are lukewarm Christians to repent of this condition and to be on fire for Jesus or Jesus will surely spit you out of the rapture(see verse 16, below) and you will go through the seven year tribulation as it says in Revelation 3 14-22. There are FAR TOO MANY are in this condition the Holy Spirit warned me this AM. There are FAR TOO MANY LAODICEANS today. Please REPENT NOW of your lukewarmness and be on fire for the Lord before it is too late and you miss the rapture as a result of your being lukewarm!! Here are the verses in Revelation chapter 3 concerning the Laodicean church:

(Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

 

(Revelation 3:15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

 

(Revelation 3:16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

(Revelation 3:17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 

(Revelation 3:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 

(Revelation 3:19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

(Revelation 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

(Revelation 3:21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 

(Revelation 3:22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Summarizing, you MUST all be ready for this coming rapture, AND be on FIRE for Jesus, and not be at all lukewarm but loving Jesus with ALL Your heart, mind and soul as commanded in the bible, in several places in both the old and new testaments. If in case you need to receive the Lord please pray the following prayer (backsliders can also use this prayer to repent of their sin and lukewarmness and recommit their lives, and return to their first love, Jesus. Please do so NOW before it is too late)

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

 

Here are 10 steps that can be of help to be ready for the soon to come rapture:

1. Make sure that you have received Jesus Christ into your life as your PERSONAL Lord and Savior(see the salvation prayer above and use it if need be).

 

2. Examine your own heart for any signs of backsliding, worldliness, unwatchfulness, compromising, and lukewarmness.

 

3. REPENT (Turn COMPLETELY away from sin and turn COMPLETELY around towards Jesus).  Sin separates you from God, even as a Christian.

 

4. Study end-time Biblical prophecy(Daniel 7-12, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, 21, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, other places but the  book of Revelation in particular)  until you become completely convinced that His Coming is, indeed, AT THE DOOR.  This will help keep you from temptation and sin.  JESUS IS COMING VERY SOON!!! Lord help me be absolutely convinced YOU ARE at the door!!!!!

 

5. Do something for the Lord.  (Passing out tracts would be a good start.)

 

6. Examine your priorities, lest the CARES OF THIS LIFE cause YOU to MISS THE RAPTURE, as we are so adamantly WARNED about in Luke 21, and so many other Scriptures.

 

7. Draw closer to God by praying, reading His Word, attending a fundamental church as often as possible, and surround yourself with a Christian atmosphere (Christian friends, books, music, radio, TV, etc.)

 

8. PRAY DILIGENTLY.  ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL TO YOU ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT EVEN MIGHT KEEP YOU FROM THE RAPTURE.  PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD GIVE YOU A PEACE, IF YOU ARE READY, AND AN UNREST AND UNEASINESS IN YOUR HEART, IF YOU ARE NOT READY.

 

9. Listen for His voice and then STAY OPEN TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

10. Act upon that which the Lord is calling you to do. DO IT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

 

Please also pray and ask the Lord Jesus to see if you are indeed ready and to give you peace if you and If the Lord has planted even the least bit of doubt or uneasiness in your heart, will you swallow your pride and pray this prayer with me:

"Dear Lord, Thank you for preparing a WAY OF ESCAPE from the horrible Tribulation to come.  It is my sincere desire to be ready for your Soon Return, so that I can participate in the Rapture. Give me a COMPLETE PEACE IN MY HEART FROM YOU if I am, indeed, ready. Let there be no false sense of security in my heart concerning my readiness for Your Return.  Begin to reveal to me things in my life and in my heart that might keep me from the Rapture.  Show me what I need to do to BE READY and then give me the power to act upon that which you show me to do.  Draw me away from the world and closer to you every day.  Use me in whatever way you can to help others

who may not be ready for your Return.  Fill me with your peace when I am ready and fill me with YOUR POWER, for victory over sin and temptation, and for effective service for your kingdom.  In Jesus' mighty name, Amen

If, by an unfortunate chance, you are finding yourself reading this testimony after the rapture has happened, and you find that you have missed it, everything is not lost by any means, just please pray immediately to accept the Lord Jesus as savior and /or recommit your life to Him, repenting of anything  and everything that you have done that has caused you to miss the rapture, especially such things as being lukewarm and whatever else you may do during that time absolutely DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST OR YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE!!!!!(taking the mark of the beast means you are essentially married to Satan, the antichrist, the beast and false prophet,  ALL OF WHOM ARE DESTINED FOR THE LAKE OF FIRE, AS ARE ALL WHO TAKE THEIR MARK ON THEIR FOREHEAD OR HAND). IT IS NOT AT ALL FORGIVABLE TO TAKE THIS MARK- so again you must avoid taking this mark AT ALL COSTS you won’t be able to buy, sell, work, and so on, you will have to hide, living in the forest and away from civilization, face jail, torture, and be executed for refusing the mark. If you do die for refusing to take the mark of the beast, if you are Jesus’ you will go to heaven immediately as a tribulation saint and martyr spoken of in the book of revelation. I cannot strongly stress the point enough to NEVER, EVER accept the mark of the beast, no matter what!!!! It will be well worth it to lose everything and everyone in this world, including your life so as  to not have to spend all eternity in hell and the lake of fire, where again there will be never any rest on your torment day or night.

 

Here is a video link for after the rapture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbvC-9Ei83E&feature=youtu.be

 

And a link to another facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jay.dougherty.50?ref=tn_tnmn#!/notes/jay-dougherty/good-book-on-tribulations-and-end-times-please-share-aslo-video-link/10200133756520233

 

God bless you and yours