CET: 1 Understanding the Endtimes

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Chapter 1 ^[1]

Understanding the Endtimes ^[2]

Enduring this doctrine to be approved

A) Christ’s clarity on the Endtimes

B) Popular approaches that hinder our understanding of Christ’s Endtimes sermon Being afraid, academic, and apathetic

C) Being approved on the doctrine of the Endtimes 2 Tim 2:15

Primary points

21% of the NT is devoted to the doctrine of the Endtimes. Salvation is the only topic in Scripture mentioned more than the Endtimes.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion in the Church today about the Endtimes.
Christ’s sermon on the Endtimes is perhaps the most ignored, diminished, distorted, and misunderstood teaching in all of the Gospels. But this sermon is also the clearest, most detailed, most important teaching we have in all of Scripture on the doctrine of the Endtimes.
If your view of what Scripture teaches about the Endtimes does not shock and deeply sadden you, because of what YOU and the Christians you love may experience, then you need to re-evaluate your view.
Another reason for the widespread error, neglect, and confusion on this topic is that what God says about the Endtimes is painful.
Being academic is the tendency to study systems instead of Scripture.
Bible scholars teach at least 14 different views on the interpretation of prophetic Scripture and understanding the Endtimes.
Most of the academic views on the Endtimes have one thing in common: they are rather painless.
Most of the academic systems on the Endtimes will not help you at all to better understand Christ’s Endtimes sermon. Instead, they distort its meaning and diminish its value.
Almost 600 biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled in history. Contrary to the popular metaphorical approach, every single one of them was fulfilled in a physical way by a person, place, or event.
How can we hope to understand the Endtimes accurately, clearly, and confidently? By studying Scripture instead of the systems.
Many Christians suggest that understanding the details of the Endtimes is not important. This apathetic view greatly dishonors our Lord and completely ignores His clear intention to teach some specific details about the Endtimes.
Popular approaches to the Endtimes have left the Church unprepared to face it in a God-glorifying way.
Instead of being afraid, academic, or apathetic about the doctrine of the Endtimes, let us be approved by God by enduring it with a focused mind and a brave and humble heart.

A) Christ’s clarity on the Endtimes

This chapter is an introduction to a series of books I wrote called the Endtimes Essentials. The Endtimes is a very big topic in the Bible. There are about 100 references to Christ’s First Coming in Scripture. But there are over 2,000 references to Christ’s Second Coming! ^[3] 70% of the chapters in the NT refer to the Endtimes.^{^[4]} The Apostle Paul alone mentions it 50 times. ^[5] One scholar has calculated that 21% of the NT is devoted to the doctrine of the Endtimes. ^{^[6]} Salvation is the only topic in Scripture mentioned more than the Endtimes. It is clear that God wants His people to understand the doctrine of the Endtimes in Scripture!

But it seems to be the part of God’s Word that Christians understand the least, and differ on the most. This confusion in the Church on the doctrine of the Endtimes is confirmed by a recent study conducted by the respected Pew Research Center. In it, 45% of American Evangelical Christians claimed: “It is impossible to know the circumstances that will precede Jesus’ return.” ^[7] Really? Do these good Christians know that Jesus Christ gave a sermon that clearly explained exactly what events will precede His Return? Let us read a few parts of this sermon from Christ. As we do, notice something. Contrary to 45% of American Evangelical Christians, does Jesus clearly explain the circumstances that will precede His Return?

In Matthew 24, starting in verse 3 we read:

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.”

“Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed…”

“And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved…”

“The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—[the abomination that causes desolation, NIV] standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!)

“Then those in Judea must flee to the hills… How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days… (Matt 24:3-9, 11-13, 15-16, 19 NLT)

“For then there will be great [thlipsis- persecution], unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” (Matt 24:21-22 NIV)

“But immediately after the [thlipsis- persecution] of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.”

“And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Matt 24:29-31 NASB)

Again, we are answering the question, is it impossible to know the circumstances that will precede Jesus’ return, as 45% of Evangelical Christians claim. We have just read Christ saying many circumstances that will immediately precede His Return. Jesus clearly taught there will be unprecedented wars and famines, then the Antichrist will desecrate a temple in Jerusalem which will begin The Greatest Persecution. When the persecution is completed, there will be Cosmic Signs in the sky and then everyone in the world … will see the SON OF MAN COMING with glory. And then He will send forth His angels … and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect … from one end of the sky to the other. So, it would seem at least 45% of American Evangelical Christians are wrong about a relatively basic teaching of Christ on the Endtimes. That is a serious error.

Before continuing let me say a few things. First, I may write something in this chapter that you strongly disagree with. In response, I would say this. First, please know that I respect Christians who would believe or teach differently on these things. They are the chosen and dearly loved children of Almighty God, regardless of their view on the doctrine of the Endtimes. Please hear me on that.

Secondly, let me state something now so that I will not have to unnecessarily repeat it in this chapter. Virtually everything I write in this first chapter is more fully supported with biblical arguments in this book. Again, I understand you might disagree with something you read. I would only ask you not to immediately dismiss it, but instead humbly evaluate the biblical arguments I offer in all three of the books in the Endtimes Essentials series.

So, it would seem there is a lot of confusion and controversy in the Church on the doctrine of the Endtimes. ^[8] Why is this? I believe one reason is that Christ’s sermon on the Endtimes is perhaps the most ignored, diminished, distorted, and misunderstood teaching in all of the Gospels. That’s unfortunate. Because this sermon is also the clearest, most detailed, most important teaching we have in all of Scripture on the doctrine of the Endtimes. And even so, many Christians do not understand it, and the Church is greatly divided about its meaning.

B) Popular approaches that hinder our understanding of Christ’s Endtimes Sermon

Why is there so much controversy and confusion even about Christ’s Endtimes sermon? I believe there are three popular approaches to the doctrine of the Endtimes that contribute to this. These are: 1) being afraid about the Endtimes; 2) being academic about the Endtimes; and 3) being apathetic about the Endtimes. Let me explain each of these and how Jesus confronts all of them.

B.1) Being afraid of the doctrine of the Endtimes

First, I think there are a significant number of Christians who are afraid of the Endtimes. We must admit that Jesus predicted a lot of pain and suffering for His people. He said after the catastrophic wars and famines, Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed (Matt 24:8-9 NLT). Later in the sermon He said after the Antichrist comes to power, there will be great [thlipsis- persecution], unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again (v. 21).

I will demonstrate in chapter 3 that the Greek word often translated tribulation means persecution. Also, three times in this sermon Jesus said these events will be experienced by the elect. It will also be demonstrated in chapter 3 that the elect refers to Christians in the Church in the NT. Therefore, Jesus clearly taught the Last Generation Church will experience the unprecedented wars, famines, and plagues of The Beginning of Birth Pains and The Greatest Persecution of the Antichrist. Again, I will demonstrate this in later chapters.

The Prophet Daniel saw visions of some of the things Jesus talked about. Daniel said, As I watched, this horn [the Antichrist] was waging war against the saints and defeating them (Dan 7:21 NIV ^[9]). He added, the Antichrist will speak against the Most High God and oppress his saints and He will cause astounding devastation and … He will destroy … the saints (Dan 7:25; 8:24 NIV). Let us remember, Daniel was a very courageous man. Even so, what was Daniel’s response to these visions of what the Antichrist will do to the saints? After seeing them the Prophet said, I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale … I fainted and was sick for many days (Dan 7:28; 8:27 ^[10]).

Therefore, if your view of what Scripture teaches about the Endtimes does not shock and deeply sadden you, because of what YOU and the Christians you love may experience, then may I humbly suggest that you need to re-evaluate your view.

Having said all of that, I understand the temptation to be afraid of the Endtimes. I have a wife I have loved for over 30 years. I have five children, all married to wonderful Christian spouses. They are all active members in the local church I help to pastor. All of my 12 precious grandchildren live within 15 minutes of my house. My church is full of people, families, and little children that I love. I don’t want to see any of these dear people go through what Jesus predicted about the Endtimes.

So I have no problem telling you and God, that there is a part of me that does not want the Endtimes to happen in my lifetime. I struggle with this. I love the ministry I have been doing for several years now in countries I should not name. God has given me the tremendous privilege of teaching hundreds of Pastors through conferences and my books, in the places on Earth where Christianity may be growing the fastest of anywhere in the world. I want to keep doing that and see the kingdom of God grow there. I want to see all my grandchildren grow up. I do not want to see any of them suffer, at all.

So if you understand the biblical truth for the Church about the Endtimes, it is tempting to be afraid. But even in the midst of the catastrophic events Jesus predicted in His Endtimes sermon, did you notice His command: don’t panic… these things must take place (Matt 24:6 NLT). Therefore, when it comes to the Endtimes, we all must imitate Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. We must say, Father, your will be done, not mine. And we must face whatever future God gives us with the Spirit’s courage instead of sinful fear.

Granted, the doctrine of the Endtimes is by far the most complex topic in all of Scripture. ^{^[11]} But the difficulty of grasping what the Bible truly teaches on this topic is not just because it is complex. Another reason for the widespread error, neglect, and confusion on this topic is that what God says about the Endtimes is painful.

Therefore, we must also endure this doctrine with a brave heart. Do you desire God’s truth about the Endtimes no matter what it may mean for you and your loved ones? We cannot underestimate the great bias that especially American Christians have against suffering, and how much this bias may distort how we interpret Scripture. Fear will keep you from properly understanding God on this biblical topic. You will never understand the Endtimes if you are afraid to do so.

The failure of God’s people to endure the challenging truth of God’s Word has been a repeated problem. For example, God’s Prophets often warned God’s people of impending disasters. But because the people did not want to hear such things, they rejected the truth and believed false prophets and teaching. God described such people when He said: “They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Forget all this gloom’” (Isa 30:10-11 NLT).

Unfortunately, this is a common response to anyone who is trying to teach the biblical truth about what the Endtimes will mean for the Church. But, this is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in … lies, calamity will come upon you suddenly” (vs. 12-13 NLT).

And this will be true of Christians who enter the Endtimes without a biblical understanding of them. The Endtimes will come upon them suddenly and unexpectedly, which is not what God wanted. Such misinformed Christians will experience paralyzing shock and confusion, and be very unprepared to endure the challenges of the Endtimes in a God-glorifying way.

B.2) Being academic about the doctrine of the Endtimes

I think being afraid of the Endtimes is one attitude that has hindered the Church in understanding this doctrine in Scripture. I think a second approach has done the same. This is what I call being academic. What do I mean by that? Being academic is the tendency to study systems instead of Scripture. Did you know that Bible scholars teach at least 14 different views and systems on the interpretation of prophetic Scripture and understanding the Endtimes? 14!

These include: Pre-millennialism, Post-millennialism, Amillennialism, Pre-tribulationism, Mid-tribulationism, Post-tribulationism, Pre-wrath Rapture, Preterism, Futurism, Historicism, Idealism, and Classic, Revised, and Progressive Dispensationalism. ^[12] It is perfectly O.K. if you do not even know what some of those labels mean. But these are all distinct approaches to interpreting prophetic Scripture and understanding the Endtimes. ^[13]

In my opinion, it is being academic that has led to all these different and conflicting systems of understanding the Endtimes. Unfortunately, a focus on these systems is how many Christians and teachers approach their study and teaching on the Endtimes. For example, it is common for a Pastor to explain various systems on the Endtimes and then say it’s up to his listeners to decide which one is best. Unfortunately, that approach often causes more confusion on the topic.

I started studying these systems and reading books on eschatology 36 years ago. I have studied many scholarly books and commentaries that support these systems. May I suggest a few things about my own experience with them?

First, I believe there is some truth in some of them. That’s why really smart Christians teach them. And I understand the value of having a system of doctrine. If we are going to teach a topic as large as eschatology, we need to reconcile all the Scriptures on that topic into a comprehensive whole, and then simplify all of this by putting a label on it. I do the same in my books.

But there are some problems with the academic approach to the doctrine of the Endtimes. First, most of these systems are rather painless. That should get our attention. I believe Jesus clearly taught the Endtimes will be painful for His people. So when a popular academic system diminishes the pain of the Endtimes for the Church, it does not seem to be in agreement with Jesus on this topic.

Second, some of the most popular academic systems on the Endtimes have very little truth in them. I realize that is a strong statement, and again I mean no unnecessary offense to anyone who would teach or believe those views. But I believe I clearly and biblically support this statement in this book. Some of the most popular academic systems on the Endtimes being taught in the Church today have very little truth in them.

Let me illustrate this by saying something else. I believe I have a good understanding of these academic systems on the doctrine of the Endtimes. But the great majority of them have not helped me at all to have a better understanding of Christ’s Endtimes sermon. In my opinion, most of the academic systems of Endtimes doctrine do two things to Christ’s Endtimes sermon: 1) distort its meaning, and 2) diminish its value.

That is a very significant statement considering the fact that Christ’s Endtimes sermon is the clearest and most important text in all of Scripture on the doctrine of the Endtimes. If most of the academic systems distort or devalue this sermon, then it is evidence of a rather intense spiritual battle surrounding Christ’s Endtimes sermon.

Let me offer some examples. First, there is the very popular academic system that teaches the Church will be “raptured” or rescued from the Earth before any of the events described by Jesus even occur. First, we notice such a view is rather completely painless. I am concerned this is one reason it is so popular. But it also seems to distort the meaning of Christ’s Endtimes sermon, and it certainly diminishes the value of this sermon for the Church.

Notice that this very popular view rather completely depends on one thing. Proving that the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon has nothing to do with the Church. Even those who teach this view admit the last 66 verses of the sermon do apply to the Church. So did Jesus completely change His intended audience in the middle of His Sermon? No, He did not. Friends, if your view of the Endtimes depends on proving that the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon has nothing to do with the Church, then I humbly suggest again that you need to re-evaluate your view.

Other surprisingly popular academic views claim that Christ’s predictions have been essentially fulfilled in the past, and promote great doubts about their value for the future. Again, these are rather painless views of Christ’s sermon. And in my opinion they distort His meaning and diminish the value of Christ’s sermon for the Church.

There is another popular academic system that seems to do the same thing. This view denies we should interpret the fulfillment of Christ’s predictions literally. The claim of this approach is that we should expect Christ’s predictions to be fulfilled in spiritual metaphors.

For example, a recent survey claimed that 50% of Protestant Pastors deny or are not sure that Scripture predicts there will be a literal and physical Antichrist in the future. ^[14] This is another indication of how much confusion there is in the Church on the Endtimes and Christ’s Endtimes sermon. Instead, many of these metaphorical interpreters believe the prophecies about the Antichrist simply refer to the spiritual reality of growing evil in the Endtimes.

I would suggest again, this popular metaphorical view seeks to diminish the pain of the Endtimes for the Church. It does little to warn the Church that it will face the Antichrist in the Endtimes. And in my opinion, the metaphorical approach certainly distorts the meaning of Christ’s Endtimes sermon.

What did Jesus say about the Antichrist? He said to His elect people who will encounter the Endtimes: when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION [the Antichrist] which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains… (Matt 24:15-16 NASB).

Why will those in Judea need to flee at that time? Because when the Antichrist desecrates a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, He will begin the Greatest Persecution. Both Daniel and Jesus taught that a literal Antichrist will be standing in a rebuilt Jewish temple in the Endtimes.

Contrary to 50% of Protestant Pastors who cannot confidently claim the Antichrist will be a real person, the Apostle Paul did this very thing when he wrote of the Antichrist: the man of lawlessness … will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thess 2:3-4 NIV). Clearly, Paul believed the Antichrist would be a real person in the future. Scripture could not be more clear on this, and those who reject a literal interpretation of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy could not be more wrong on this.

Unfortunately, in many academic systems on the Endtimes there is a clear agenda to eliminate or diminish a priority of interpreting biblical prophecies literally. It has become popular to claim biblical prophecy will merely be fulfilled in spiritual realities, rather than physical people, places, and events. But this metaphorical approach completely ignores how God has fulfilled prophecy in the past.

For example, when the Prophet Micah predicted that Christ would be born in Bethlehem, Jesus was born in the literal and physical village of Bethlehem. It wasn’t just a spiritual metaphor.

In fact, did you know that almost 600 biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled in history. And every single one of these 592 prophecies were fulfilled in a physical way by a person, place, or event. ^[15] None of them were fulfilled in merely a spiritual or metaphorical way. None of them were fulfilled in merely a spiritual or metaphorical way. And this is a great problem for the many Christian teachers claiming this is the primary or only way God will fulfill prophecy in the future.

I can confidently tell you that God has not changed the way He is going to fulfill biblical prophecy. So again, with all due respect, if your primary approach to interpreting biblical prophecy is to ignore or diminish its literal and physical fulfillment, then you need to re-evaluate your approach.

I realize my brief comments here may not persuade someone who is committed to one of these academic systems. I understand the issues are more complex than I have made them here. I devote several chapters in this book to biblically evaluate many of these views.

So, what is the solution to all the confusion and controversy caused by these academic systems? How can we hope to understand the Endtimes accurately, clearly, and confidently? By studying Scripture instead of the systems. More specifically, understanding just the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon.

Christian, I have some really good news for you. If you correctly understand just the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon, then it will help you understand the Endtimes better than all of the most popular academic systems. I’m not exaggerating.

Second, if you understand just the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon, you will be sufficiently equipped to biblically evaluate all of the 14 academic systems on the Endtimes mentioned above. Fortunately, these 28 verses are much more clear and simple than those academic systems. This is one more reason we must begin our study of the Endtimes with Scripture, instead of the systems.

Our approach is similar to how bank tellers are trained to identify the many different types of fake money. They do not study all of the various versions of counterfeit bills. Instead, they study the look and feel of real money, so it is crystal clear in their mind. Then when they encounter even a slight variation from real money, they can detect it. The same will be true for discerning the truth and error in all of the various academic views of the Endtimes, if you correctly understand just the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon.

Finally, understanding the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon will give you a foundation to understand the more obscure prophetic Scriptures in the OT Prophets and the Revelation. Fortunately, Christ’s Endtimes sermon is not communicated through a vision with multi-layered symbols like Daniel and Revelation. That type of Scripture is the most difficult of any to interpret. Therefore, we should be grateful that Jesus gave us a literal teaching on the essentials of the Endtimes without complex symbolic visions.

B.3) Being apathetic about the doctrine of the Endtimes

So, I believe being afraid and being academic, studying and teaching systems, instead of Scripture, have both contributed to the confusion and controversy in the Church today about the doctrine of the Endtimes. And these two approaches have led to perhaps the most common approach to this doctrine: Apathy.

Many Christians suggest that understanding the details of the Endtimes is not important. The claim is that these things are too obscure in Scripture, or controversial in the Church, to be dogmatic about them. It is common to hear Christians and Pastors say that we simply need to put our hope in Christ’s Return and not worry about the details surrounding it. In fact, such a view practically denies that it is God’s will for us to understand what hundreds of verses of Scripture teach on the Endtimes.

I understand some of the reasons for this apathy. In part, it is a response to the two popular approaches to the Endtimes that we have been discussing: being afraid and being academic. For example, those apathetic about the Endtimes are often the first ones to tell us, “Hey, we just need to trust God with these things no matter what happens.” Those who are apathetic about the Endtimes tend to also be less afraid about the Endtimes.

This apathy also comes from the frustration and doubts caused by having 14 different and often contradictory academic systems being taught in the Church on this doctrine. It seems that many of the people teaching these 14 different views on the Endtimes are equally smart and godly Christians. Therefore, it is easy to assume it must be impossible to clearly understand this doctrine in Scripture. So I sympathize with those who are apathetic about the doctrine of the Endtimes because of their concerns about being afraid, or their frustration and doubts about the popular academic systems.

Finally, the apathetic view is often based on a wrong interpretation of something Christ said in His Endtimes sermon. Speaking of the timing of His Return, Jesus said:

“But about that day or hour no one knows [oiden, present tense], not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt 24:36 NIV).

This is wrongly interpreted in many ways. Some think this means Christ’s Return could happen at any time without any clear warning. Others misuse this statement to criticize those who would point to current events indicating the Endtimes are near. Wrongly interpreting Matthew 24:36 is probably why 45% of Evangelical Christians claim “It is impossible to know the circumstances that will precede Jesus’ return.” In many ways, the apathetic view of the Endtimes is based on wrongly interpreting Christ’s statement that no one knows the timing of His Return.

The first mistake is a failure to notice that knows is in the present tense. This is missed by almost everyone who interprets this verse. Jesus did not say “no one will ever know the day or hour” of His Return. He said, when He was speaking with His disciples over 2,000 years ago, “no one now knows about that day or hour.” Jesus gave us several signs of His Return that we are supposed to be looking for. Before those happen, no one can know the timing of His Return. But in a verse just before verse 36, Jesus said: When you see all these things [the signs of His Return], you know that it is near, right at the door. (Matt 24:33 NIV). So at some point in time, we are supposed to know Christ’s Return is very near.

The apathetic interpretation of Matthew 24:36 also ignores Christ’s repeated commands to be watching for signs of His Return. Remember, the Apostles asked Him: “What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Matt 24:3 NLT). In response Jesus very carefully and intentionally described many signs and events that will signal His Return.

This is why throughout Christ’s sermon on the Endtimes He commanded: “Be on guard! Be alert!” … “keep watch” … “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:33, 34, 37 NIV). Watch! for what? Current events in our world that would signal the beginning of the Endtimes, and that Christ’s Return is near. There is no other way to practically obey Christ’s command. And those with an apathetic view of the Endtimes consistently disobey Christ’s commands to Watch! and are critical of those who are trying to obey His commands to Watch!

This leads us to another serious problem with this apathy about the biblical doctrine of the Endtimes. It greatly dishonors our Lord Jesus Christ. The apathetic view completely ignores Christ’s clear intention to teach some specific details about the Endtimes. Again, what prompted this sermon of Christ? The disciples asked Jesus, “What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Matt 24:3 NLT).

Listening to many Christians today, you would think that Jesus simply answered: “Guys, the details don’t matter. All I want you to know is that I’m coming back.” But that is not what our Savior said! And to talk and act as if He did, dishonors our Lord. So does the 45% of Evangelical Christians who claim “It is impossible to know the circumstances that will precede Jesus’ return.”

Unfortunately, the popular metaphorical view usually leads to the apathetic view. And contrary to both of these views, Jesus taught a very intentional and specific sequence of Endtime events that He expects His followers to carefully study, correctly understand, and confidently teach. This is why throughout the first 28 verses of His sermon Jesus repeatedly used words like then, when, immediately after and, at that time.

One of my favorite Bible teachers is John MacArthur. He said something recently that is important, especially for those who have a metaphorical or apathetic approach to the doctrine of the Endtimes. Dr. MacArthur said:

[The doctrine of the Endtimes] is strangely treated with an attitude of indifference [apathy]… It is a continual burden to me, a continual discouragement, that the Reformed movement, so popular in being precise about sound doctrine, has been indifferent toward that doctrine [of the Endtimes].”

“How can you do that? How can you think that God spoke clearly about everything but the end? That it doesn’t matter. It’s almost a badge of academic nobility not to have a view [on the Endtimes]… For some it seems to be a defect to take the Bible literally on this topic.” ^[16]

I could not have said it better. I know many people think the apathetic approach is a humble approach to this doctrine. But we must be careful that our supposed humility about the Endtimes is not simply a cover for our apathy, confusion, or laziness about this doctrine.

To my brothers and sisters who may be rather apathetic about the doctrine of the Endtimes, let me say this. Stop letting all the contradictory academic systems on the Endtimes give you an excuse for not understanding Christ’s Endtimes sermon. At the very least, you can confidently believe and teach what the first 28 verses of Christ’s Endtimes sermon teaches. ^[17] Can we at least agree on that?

B.4) Being unprepared for the Endtimes

There is always a cost when God’s people do not correctly or confidently understand God’s Word. This is true of the doctrine of the Endtimes. This is not simply an academic debate. The current confusion and controversy in the Church on this doctrine would greatly hurt Christians if the Endtimes begin any time soon. For example, because many of the popular views on the Endtimes are rather painless, they are also rather useless to prepare the Church to glorify God if the Endtimes begin in our generation.

All of these views ignore the fact that Jesus wanted to warn His Church about the unprecedented catastrophes and persecutions of the Endtimes. Why was Jesus so concerned about warning His Church of these things? To help them be prepared to face them in a God-glorifying way.

If the Endtimes began today, I believe many Christians would be greatly confused, and that confusion would greatly hinder their ability to enter the Endtimes with courage, clarity, and confidence. That is not what God wanted. Which is why Jesus gave us a rather simple, clear, although painful sermon about what the Endtimes will mean for the Church. This was so His people could be spiritually prepared for the Endtimes if they occurred in their lifetime.

But what do popular views of the Endtimes teach us? Either we will not even be here for these things, or the details of the Endtimes don’t matter. Saying the details don’t matter, means that Christ’s warnings don’t matter either.

Not to be too harsh, but there seems to be an arrogance in the apathetic and metaphorical views on this doctrine. It seems foolish to believe that Christians will be quickly equipped to respond to the Endtimes in a God-glorifying manner when they are confused about what Scripture teaches on this doctrine. This danger might explain why our enemy the devil (1 Pet 5:8) has fought so hard to cause so much confusion and controversy in the Church on the Endtimes.

Unfortunately, it is widely assumed that God’s people can be prepared to face the Endtimes in a God-glorifying manner even if they don’t understand what Christ was warning His Church of. Do you know better than Jesus? He believed the Church needed to know the substance and sequence of Endtime events. Do you? Jesus intentionally and faithfully warned His Church about these things because He knew the Church needs to know more than what many are teaching on this topic today.

C) Being approved on the doctrine of the Endtimes

Accordingly, Paul wrote especially to those with the God-given responsibility of teaching His Word:

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15 NLT).

Do you see the goal? Instead of being afraid, academic, or apathetic about the doctrine of the Endtimes, let us be approved by God. Do you see God’s expectation especially for Pastors and Teachers in the Church? To correctly explain the word of truth, including the word of truth about the Endtimes.

God gave us hundreds of verses of Scripture about the Endtimes. Let us not dishonor God by putting these Scriptures into virtual trash cans labeled “too obscure,” “too controversial,” or “too scary,” or “just symbolic.” This does not please the Author of these Scriptures.

My friends, could I suggest we can all do more to be approved by God on the doctrine of the Endtimes. What will that require? Paul said if we want to be approved by God, then He expects us to Work hard so we can present ourselves to God and receive his approval because we correctly explain the word of truth about the Endtimes.

Another way to say this is that the doctrine of the Endtimes must be endured. The Apostle Paul wrote:

The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (2 Tim 4:3-4 NASB)

Did you notice the prophecy here? Paul said the time will come when Christians will not endure sound doctrine. ^[18] I believe this biblical prophecy has certainly been fulfilled today in relation to the doctrine of the Endtimes. Many Christians have not endured this doctrine and either ignore it, fail to understand it, or believe many myths about it.

Why must the doctrine of the Endtimes be endured? Because, as I’ve already said, this is one of the most emotionally challenging topics in the Bible. Jesus is predicting a lot of suffering for His people who encounter the Endtimes. Again, we should not underestimate the bias that especially American Christians have against suffering. And such a bias can distort how we interpret Scripture. Which is why we must endure these Endtimes Scriptures with a brave heart. Otherwise, we too will fulfill the Apostle’s prophecy and accumulate for ourselves teachers in accordance to our own desires, and will turn away our ears from the truth about the Endtimes and will turn aside to myths because they are easier to accept and believe.

Why else must the doctrine of the Endtimes be endured? Because as I’ve also said, the Endtimes is by far the most complex doctrine in Scripture. Therefore, it will require a focused time of study to sufficiently understand even its essentials. This is why Paul said we must Work hard so we can present ourselves to God and receive his approval because we can correctly explain the word of truth about the Endtimes. Being able to accurately understand and explain this doctrine will require hard work. Which is one reason many in the Church have not endured this doctrine.

People have said to me, “Kurt, Christians are not going to devote the time and energy to read your three books on this topic.” Or, “Kurt, you have to make the videos no more than 15 minutes or people will not watch them.” But Christian, you cannot sufficiently understand this doctrine in mere sound bites. Anyone who has been approved by God because they can correctly explain this doctrine, had to work hard. I hope that the Endtimes Essentials materials can help your study be as simple and effective as possible.

I believe the Author of these prophetic Scriptures is asking you to emotionally and mentally endure the doctrine of the Endtimes, so that instead of being merely afraid, academic, or apathetic, you can be approved by God, because you can correctly explain this doctrine.

I am not expecting anyone to be convinced of everything I have said in one message. I am asking all of us to set aside our fears and systems and apathy and go back to Scripture and seek to understand what God has revealed about the Endtimes. Let us be noble like the Bereans. In Acts 17:11 these people were commended for biblically evaluating the teaching of an Apostle. I am not an Apostle, so you can be sure God will be pleased if you biblically evaluate my teaching before accepting it.

And that is all that I am asking. Let us study the prophetic Scriptures together. Let me dialogue with you, and humbly challenge you about your beliefs on the Endtimes. Let us endure the study of the Endtimes together with a focused mind, a brave heart, and an attitude of humility.

You are invited to start your study with the Endtimes Essentials Summary Series videos. This chapter is the text of the first of those. There are five more videos that explain the highlights of all three books in the series. They give you an opportunity to decide if you want to study this material further.

If you think this material is helpful, please encourage your Pastor to evaluate this material as well. I have no desire to bypass his God-given spiritual authority in your life.

All of the Endtimes Essentials materials are available free of charge at my website: http://www.trainingtimothys.com. The books are available free of charge in html and PDF formats. They are also available in print and Kindle versions at Amazon.com for a small fee. The advantage of the printed editions is the many endnotes. These contain valuable information on the Greek text of the passages being discussed, and quotes and interaction with the best Evangelical commentaries on these Scriptures. There are also video and audio versions of the material available at the website. ^[19]

May God our Father, through His Spirit, grant you the grace to interpret the prophetic Scriptures correctly and courageously, and to evaluate and recognize whatever sound doctrine there may be in the Endtimes Essentials materials.

The primary Bible versions used in the Endtimes Essentials are the NIV, NLT, and NASB. Sometimes a suggested translation is offered that is often a combination of these. The goal is to help you understand the Scriptures in modern, everyday English.
Numerous endnotes are provided in the printed versions of the Endtimes Essentials. These primarily interact with modern Evangelical commentaries on the issues being discussed. In addition, an explanation for any suggested translations of Scripture will be provided there.

For more information on the reference works and abbreviations used throughout Endtimes Essentials (EE) see the bibliography in the introduction section of the website at http://www.trainingtimothys.com. ↑
This chapter is essentially the same as video message #1 in the Endtimes Essentials Summary Series, but with the endnotes added. ↑
Prophecy author Ed Knoor writes:
There are 1,845 references to Christ’s Second Coming in the Old Testament, and 318 such references in the New Testament [that equals 2,163 total references]. Compare that to the 109 declarations in the Bible about His first coming [LaHaye, 2012].

In the Bible, the doctrine of salvation is mentioned the most in Scripture; then, Christ’s Second Coming; and in third place, we have the tribulation, which is mentioned in more than 60 Scripture passages [LaHaye, 2011a; Hindson, 2021].

The Apostle Paul mentioned the Second Coming 50 times, baptism 13 times, and communion twice. (8) Ed Knorr, “Revelation and Bible Prophecy”; available online at https://www.cs.ubc.ca/~knorr/public/comparison_of_eschat_models.pdf. ↑
These statistics on biblical references to Christ’s Return can be found online at https://davidjeremiah.blog/the-second-coming-of-christ/. ↑
Knoor, 9. ↑
Hitchcock, The End, 4. ↑
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/12/08/about-four-in-ten-u-s-adults-believe-humanity-is-living-in-the-end-times/ ↑
The confusion of American Evangelical Christians is further illustrated by another result of the survey. 65% of American Evangelical Christians claimed to “believe we are already living in the endtimes.” Biblically speaking, it is doubtful the Endtimes have actually begun. So how can 65% of American Evangelical Christians claim to believe “we are already living in the endtimes”? Especially when in the same study, only about 21% of American Evangelical Protestants “say they believe Jesus will definitely or probably return during their lifetime.”
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/12/08/about-four-in-ten-u-s-adults-believe-humanity-is-living-in-the-end-times/

This seems to mean that a significant number of American Evangelical Christians believe they are already living in the Endtimes, but they do not believe Christ will Return in their lifetime. Again, this seems to reflect the lack of biblical teaching in the American Church on the doctrine of the Endtimes. ↑
Here and throughout the Endtimes Essentials the NIV 1984 version will be used to preserve the word saints whenever the original Hebrew reflects this. It is believed that this Bible version was correct to translate the Hebrew word qaddish and Greek word hagiōn as saints instead of the more general term God’s holy people. This is demonstrated in the NASB translation of all of these texts. Christians have traditionally understood that the saints refers to members of the Church. This more accurately reflects what the biblical authors are communicating. This will be demonstrated in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching, chs. 4-7. ↑
A suggested translation of Dan 8:27 would be, Then I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for many days (Dan 8:27). Fainted translates the Hebrew word hayah which can mean “to fall” (NASEC). NASB has exhausted, NLT has overcome, and NIV has worn out. ↑
The influential Bible prophecy scholar Dwight Pentecost, long-time Professor of NT at Dallas Theological Seminary, and author of the classic textbook, Things to Come, wrote in its introduction:
Biblical Eschatology is the capstone of systematic theology. It is not only climactic, the terminus and consummation of theological study, but the presentation of eschatology is also the supreme demonstration of theological skill. (ix)

Likewise, John Piper has recently written: “To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never spoken to any Christian—scholar or layman—who is not perplexed about some biblical text on the second coming” (180). ↑
For some reference to these versions of Dispensationalism see online at https://www.monergism.com/dispensationalism-defined. There it is referred to variously as: “Historic or classic Dispensationalism … neo or revised Dispensationalism … and progressive Dispensationalism.” ↑
Millard Erickson’s A Basic Guide to Eschatology (Baker, 1998), is a helpful introduction to many of these Endtimes views. In this author’s opinion, the ones that have little if any truth to them are Post-millennialism, Amillennialism, Pre-tribulationism, Historicism, and Idealism. The views that are most helpful in understanding Christ’s Endtimes sermon and the biblical doctrine of the Endtimes include Futurism, Pre-millennialism, Post-tribulationism, and especially the Pre-wrath Rapture view. The author’s own Pre-wrath Rescue position differs slightly from the more well known Pre-wrath Rapture view. That difference is described in ch. 8, endnote #1. ↑
The survey of Protestant Pastors on the Endtimes can be found online at https://news.lifeway.com/2016/04/26/pastors-the-end-of-the-world-is-complicated/. It is stated in this section that: “a recent survey claimed that 50% of Protestant Pastors deny or are not sure that Scripture predicts there will be a literal and physical Antichrist in the future.” This is based on the following result from the study. 49% of Protestant Pastors claimed the Antichrist will be a “Figure who will arise sometime in the future.” The remaining respondents claimed various things including the Antichrist will be a “Personification of evil” (14%), “No individual Antichrist” (12%), “Not a person but an institution” (7%), “Figure who already arose sometime in the past” (6%), “None of these (7%), “Not sure” (4%). These equal 50%. ↑
For the biblical data on these prophecies see ch. 12, sec. A.4 and endnotes there. ↑
MacArthur, “Hope for the Remnant” online at https://youtu.be/pqJRmnzQC1l. ↑
For more on the apathetic view of the Endtimes see the further discussion of Pan-tribulationism, ch. 11, sec. A. ↑
Unfortunately, Wiersbe (loc. 2 Tim 4:1) and Knight (454) believe Timothy’s ministry being described in 2 Tim 4:1-4 was to be focused on unbelievers or false Christians and teachers. But Timothy’s ministry to Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching (2 Tim 4:2) was certainly primarily directed toward Christians. And of course, we know from personal experience that real Christians can fail to endure sound doctrine. Accordingly, Fee writes:
Timothy is to carry on Paul’s ministry in a world in which there is no promise of eager response—even on the part of God’s people… In this case it focuses on the believers themselves, rather than the false teachers, and it clearly lays some of the blame at their feet—despite the emphasis heretofore on their being deceived. (Pastorals, 285) ↑
In addition to the three currently completed books in the Endtimes Essentials series, a fourth volume will be added entitled, The Greatest Persecution. In addition, a supplemental online resource entitled Additional Studies of the Endtimes (ASE) at http://www.trainingtimothys.com is available in the “Endtimes Essentials Studies” section. This addresses several more minor points and questions that may be prompted by the Endtimes Essentials material. ↑

Chapter 1 [1]

Understanding the Endtimes [2]

Enduring this doctrine to be approved

Contents

Primary points

Chapter 1 ^[1]

Understanding the Endtimes ^[2]