A Roadmap to Studying and Understanding the End Time

The end times are explained throughout the Bible as God’s cautioning messages to His children. By studying Biblical prophecies, we can further our understanding of what’s to come, and what can be identified in our lives today, as signs of the end time.

If only understanding the end time was as easy as checking a date on our calendars, we could relax knowing that we have plenty of time to sew up our earthly affairs and spread the message of salvation. On the contrary, Jesus says none of us will know the exact time of the rapture, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” This important message from Matthew 24:36 reminds us that we must always follow God’s Word and His will, for we cannot know the precise date for our day of judgment.

 

While we may not be able to pinpoint an exact date, in John 14:29 we read, “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.” In Daniel 12:4, God said, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” God has revealed His will through Bible prophecy so that while we will not know exactly when, we will be able to witness these prophecies coming to fruition and gain a greater understanding of the end time. These events are most clearly prophesied in specific sections of the Bible to be studied:

The Book of Daniel

Daniel is a very important book for understanding the end time. Daniel 7, for example, explains a vision of beasts that symbolize the four modern nations to be involved in the events leading up to the Second Coming, laying the foundation for understanding these themes later when they arise in Revelation.

The Book of 1 Corinthians

The Final Trumpet (sometimes referred to as the Rapture) as described in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, tells of our final victory at the Battle of Armageddon that will come at the moment of the seventh, and last, trumpet, to be sounded by an angel. This is also mentioned in Revelation 11:15 and explains the moment at the end of time when the dead shall rise up and we will all be changed.

The Book of Revelation

If Daniel gives us the foundation of understanding, Revelation is the fortress that sits upon it. Everything we learn in other sections of the Bible regarding the end time comes together in Revelation, explaining these mysteries in greater detail. This includes the reign of the Antichrist, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the Battle of Armageddon.

Gaining the Most Understanding from End Time Prophecy

The Old Testament

Just as history can give us important clues for our future, so too do the books of the Old Testament give us essential guidance for understanding the end time. The fall of ancient Babylon is an important lesson in history that foretells more of the story to come, explaining the prophecies involving modern nations in the New Testament.

Remember the Context

Many verses in the Bible can take on completely different meanings when they are considered on their own, so it is critical to examine the context of the passage to clearly understand the end time. The more you study His Word, the better you can understand all end time prophecies contained in the Bible and make sense of events past and present.

Look to Israel

Israel, home of God’s chosen, is one of the most critical players in the end times. What is occurring in today’s Israel will give us many of the clues we need to understand how end time prophecies will be fulfilled. Daniel 9:27 talks about the upcoming peace treaty between Israel and Palestine:

Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is poured out on the desolate.

God has given us the answers we need to our questions about the end time if we are willing enough to seek them out. Daniel, 1 Corinthians, and Revelation are a few books that reveal what we need to know to prepare for the end time. To learn more, you can order a copy of our Understanding the Endtime DVD Series, which investigates these prophecies of the end time and offers an understanding of what is to come and what you need to enter the kingdom of God.