Irony – Are We In The End Times? • The End Times in the Bible | Founded in Truth Fellowship

The Current Context and the Question of the End Times

We gather today, following the recent Sukkot celebration, amidst significant global events, particularly the conflict that has erupted in Israel, referred to as the Simchat Torah war. Matthew Vander Els begins by acknowledging the gravity of the situation, where a substantial number of Jewish people have tragically lost their lives in a sudden attack. This event naturally leads to questions about our identity as believers, our connection to the Jewish people as descendants of Abraham, and our response in times of such suffering.

The speaker then transitions to the central theme of the teaching: the biblical concept of the “end times” or “latter days.” He poses the question of whether we are currently living in these times, suggesting that the answer is complex and rooted in a deeper understanding of scripture. He cautions against solely focusing on current events as the definitive sign of the end times, noting that this question has been debated for centuries.

Old Testament Prophecies of the Latter Days

To understand the biblical perspective on the end times, the teaching delves into various Old Testament prophecies. The first mention of the “latter days” appears in Genesis 49:1, where Jacob gathers his sons to reveal what will befall them in those times. Within this blessing, Judah is prophesied to produce a messianic king likened to a lion, whose reign will bring judgment upon the wicked nations. Verses 11 and 12 of Genesis 49 metaphorically describe his vestments soaked in grapes, symbolizing this judgment.

Numbers 24 presents another prophecy of the latter days, foretelling a star from Jacob and a scepter from Israel who will strike down enemies like Moab. This prophecy also carries the theme of a coming messianic ruler who will judge evil nations. Isaiah 2 speaks of a glorious future that will occur “in the latter days.” Hosea 3 also mentions the return of Israel to their land and the rise of a new messianic king from the line of David. This king will usher in a kingdom of peace, where weapons of war will become obsolete.

The book of Daniel provides further insights into the latter days through a series of prophetic visions experienced while in Babylon. These visions depict God’s intervention in the world, ultimately defeating all earthly empires. Daniel 7 refers to these empires as beasts, and Revelation collectively terms them “the beast,” highlighting their nature of exploitation and oppression, which stands in opposition to God’s kingdom. In Daniel 2, a vision of a colossal statue made of different metals, representing successive world kingdoms, is described. This statue is ultimately destroyed by a rock that was not carved by human hands, symbolizing the kingdom of God, which will grow to fill the entire earth, striking down all earthly powers that thrive on oppression. The core message of these Old Testament prophecies concerning the latter days is the future establishment of God’s eternal rule on earth through a messianic king, bringing justice and defeating evil.

Jewish Expectations of the Messiah Around the Time of Jesus

Given these forceful Old Testament prophecies, it is understandable that later Jewish authors and communities developed specific expectations about the coming Messiah. These expectations, as revealed in extra-biblical writings from around the time of Jesus, often envisioned a Messiah who would be a military conqueror, wielding power and violence to overthrow oppressors and establish God’s kingdom.

The book of 4 Ezra, a later Jewish apocalyptic writing, interprets the Son of Man in Daniel 7 as the same figure as the stone that crushes the statue of empires. 2 Baruch describes the Messiah convicting and putting to death the last wicked leader of the nations. Another Jewish writing from this period depicts the Messiah coming from heaven with a scepter, destroying cities and evil people. Even the Qumran community, who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, had texts detailing an end-time battle where the “sons of light” would militarily defeat the “sons of darkness.” Therefore, the prevailing expectation during the time of Jesus was that the Messiah would arrive as a powerful military leader to liberate Israel from Roman oppression.

The Ironic Arrival of Jesus and the New Testament Understanding of the End Times

However, the New Testament presents a radically different, even ironic, understanding of how the “latter days” began and how God’s kingdom is established. The New Testament authors declared that redemption had already taken place through Jesus Christ, and that they themselves were living in the end times. 1 Peter 1:20 states that Jesus, chosen as the ransom before creation, was revealed “in these last days.”

The irony lies in how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the latter days. Instead of overthrowing earthly military oppressors, the New Testament writers understood Jesus’s mission as a spiritual defeat of the invisible forces of evil. This victory was achieved not through military might but through his suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection. Evil, in its attempt to assert its power, ultimately brought about its own defeat by crucifying the very Son of God.

Living in the End Times: A Call to Radical Discipleship

While the Bible speaks of a future return of Jesus where he will definitively defeat all earthly enemies (Psalm 2), the primary focus for believers living in the “latter days” is to embody the values of his kingdom now. This involves a radical shift in perspective, seeing the world through the lens of Christ’s victory on the cross.

Application for Everyday Life

• Prioritize Love and Empathy: Remember who Jesus loves, including all people, and maintain empathy for the suffering, regardless of their background or political affiliation.
• Engage in Prayer: Connect with prayer networks focused on peace and the well-being of others. Specifically pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for those affected by conflict.
• Contribute Materially: Support organizations that provide aid and relief to those in need, recognizing the importance of practical help in times of crisis.
• Seek Knowledge and Truth: Combat ignorance about biblical truth and current events by seeking reliable sources of information and understanding the deeper issues at play.
• Embody the Values of God’s Kingdom: Live out the principles of self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and love, even when it seems foolish or goes against worldly wisdom.
• Fight for Justice: Actively work against injustice in the world, aligning with God’s righteousness and betraying any allegiance that compromises this calling.
• Overcome Evil with Good: Do not retaliate or perpetuate cycles of violence and hatred, but instead respond to evil with acts of goodness and love.
• Maintain Hope: Hold onto the hope in God’s ultimate justice and the future reign of peace, allowing this hope to shape your actions in the present.
• Recognize Our Identity in Christ: In times of conflict and division, remember your primary identity as a follower of Jesus Christ, which transcends worldly labels and allegiances.
• Be Watchers and Pray-ers: Like watchmen on the walls, be attentive to the needs of others and diligently pray for God’s will to be done on earth.

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