Article 40
By Steven J. Hogan
I recently received an email from a friend who is convinced, as I am, that the return of Christ and the rapture of the church will take place sometime in the near future. One of his primary concerns is that his family be prepared, be equipped for what God so clearly tells us will be taking place in this world in the years ahead. In response to my friend’s email, I have written an article that, I believe, is relevant and necessary for Christians living in the end times. At this time in HISstory, it’s imperative that we get ready for this storm, for these most difficult, yet divine and opportune years, leading up to the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In this article I will be covering six different areas. Today, in part one, I will focus on the Word of God, first in general, and then with specific verses.
THE WORD OF GOD:
Christians need to be strong and courageous in the end times, particularly during Daniel’s 70th week, and especially when the Antichrist is ruling the world (Revelation 13). This will be the toughest time ever for Christians living on earth, for these will be very intense years of unprecedented difficulty. There will be great tribulation and persecution for true believers, for true lovers of God. Those who don’t worship the image of the beast (the Antichrist) will be targeted, tracked down and attacked by his evil forces, so as to be killed. Those not taking the mark of the beast will find it very difficult to obtain the basic necessities of life. Like never before, these will be days of great distress, of both inward stresses and outward pressures. But remember, this is the time God has chosen for you to live on earth for Him, and to be faithfully doing the work He has planned for you to do.
People ask, “What do I need to know? What do I need to do in the end times? How am I supposed to live?” As pointed out in Matthew 4:4, your main, overall objective is to always live by the word of God. “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” While we may be thinking about physical bread to eat, God wants us, first and foremost, to feed on the spiritual bread of His Word. The spiritual food coming from God’s word is what we need to be eating if we are to survive and live for the Lord.
Three categories come to mind when I think about God’s word for our lives, whether it’s now or in the future. There is truth we need to know, commands we need to obey, and promises we need to believe. God’s truth, God’s commands and God’s promises are all absolutely essential. Think about soldiers preparing for battle: there are things they need to know, things they need to do, and things that will motivate them to be good fighters. And as spiritual soldiers, there are things we need to know, things we need to do, and things that will motivate us to keep going for God. But you need to realize that God is training you now, and that this present preparation is getting you ready for the work He has for you today and tomorrow, but also for the future He has planned for you, whether that means you are alive during the days of great tribulation, or have already gone to heaven.
This is peace time, this is the calm before the storm, which means now is the time to get ready. Here in Florida, during hurricane season, we are regularly reminded to plan ahead, to get food, water and supplies before the storm hits. This only makes sense. How can you get ready in the middle of a hurricane, when winds are howling outside at 100 mph, or the power has just gone out, and it’s pitch dark? You can’t! You need to prepare ahead of time. How much more-so does this relate to Christians who are alive on earth in the years leading up to the time of great tribulation, and the return of Christ? Sadly, many Christians think there will be what’s called a pre-tribulation rapture, and don’t even believe we will be here when there is great tribulation, let alone are getting ready for it. I pray that God gives you Biblically based, heart-felt convictions about the timing of the rapture, and that you are totally convinced about what will be taking place in the end times, with the result that you are preparing and planning ahead for the upcoming storm.
My desire is that you have a clear understanding of what will be taking place in these last, fast-moving, event-packed years leading up to the coming of the Antichrist and the coming of Christ. You need to know what will be happening, and what you are to be doing, how you are to be living for Him. In all this, the word of God is essential, and needs to be dwelling in your mind and heart. Then you will be a successful, useful and ready Christian, a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Remember what God said to Joshua before he and Israel’s armies fought their way into their God-promised land. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9
Listed below, by categories, are a number of verses particularly relevant to the end times, and especially as we get closer to the return of Christ. These verses are your instructions, a set of orders to follow, and truths and promises you need to know and believe. (The bold verse references refer to verses specifically written in the context of the end times and the coming of Christ. After each category there is one or two letters, T, C or P, meaning that the verses listed below it, are in general, God’s Truth, God’s Commands, or God’s Promises).
Antichrist (T):
* Daniel 9:27 – “He (the Antichrist) will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week (Daniel’s 70th week), he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate.”
* Daniel 8:23-25 – “A king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue. His power will be mighty, but not by his own power… Through his shrewdness He will cause deceit to succeed by His influence; and he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency.”
* 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – “The man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
* Revelation 13:4-6 – “They worshipped the beast saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?’ There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two month was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God.”
Comfort (T, P):
A great need during the end times is having verses that are encouraging and comforting, and the best place to find them is in the Psalms. Without a doubt, it is the best book in the Bible to find truths that minister to your soul in times of trouble and need. Listed below are some of my favorite verses, but you need to read the Psalms yourself, recording and remembering those verses that are a blessing to your own life.
* Psalm 16:7-11, Psalm 18:1-3, Psalm 23, Psalm 28:6-7, Psalm 31:7, Psalm 31:14-17, Psalm 34:4-10, Psalm 37:1-11, Psalm 40:1-5, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 46:10, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 57:1-5, Psalm 59:16-17, Psalm 63:1-4, Psalm 66:10-12, Psalm 68:19-20, Psalm 71:17-21, Psalm 84, Psalm 86, Psalm 90:12-13, Psalm 91:1-3, Psalm 91:14-16, Psalm 94:17-19, Psalm 96:1-3, Psalm 98, Psalm 100, Psalm 103, Psalm 107:23-32, Psalm 109:30-31, Psalm 112:4-6, Psalm 116, Psalm 119:81-88, Psalm 121, Psalm 123, Psalm 130, Psalm 138:7-8, Psalm 139, Psalm 142, Psalm 143, Psalm 144, Psalm 145, Psalm 150
Coming of Christ (T):
* Luke 21:27 – “They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
* Hebrews 10:37 – “In a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.”
* James 5:8-9 – “You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near… the Judge is standing at the door.”
* Revelation 22:7, 12, 20 – “Behold, I am coming soon.”
Endurance (T, P):
* 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 – “God will keep you strong to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
* Philippians 1:6 – “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
* Romans 8:30 – “These whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
* Jude 24-24 – “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Evil men (T):
* Matthew 24:4 – “See to it that no one misleads you.”
* 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (Day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed.”
* Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
* 2 Peter 2:1 – “False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”
Faith (C):
* 1 Thessalonians 5:8 – “Putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
* Luke 18:8 – “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
* John 14:1-3 – “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me… If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself.”
* Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Fear not (C):
* Mark 13:11 – “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”
* 2 Chronicles 20:15 – “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
* Matthew 10:28 – “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
* Revelation 2:10 – “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Fellowship (C, T):
* Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking our own assembling together,… encouraging one another and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”
* Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
* Acts 2:42 – “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
* Romans 16:3-4 – “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me… Greet also the church that meets at their house.”
Fight for God (C, T):
* Ephesians 6:12 – “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places… take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day.”
* 1 Samuel 17:26 – “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
* 2 Chronicles 14:11 – “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against You.”
* Nehemiah 4:14 – “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, your houses.”
Grace (T, P):
* 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness… Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
* 2 Corinthians 9:8 – “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, you will have an abundance for every good deed.”
* 2 Timothy 2:1 – “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
* Revelation 22:21 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.” (the last verse of the Bible)
Holiness (C):
* 2 Peter 3:11 – “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God?”
* 2 Timothy 2:21 – “If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”
* Titus 2:12 – “Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled and godly lives.”
* 1 Peter 1:15 – “Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior.”
Hope (T, P):
* Hebrews 12:22-24 (heaven) – “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.”
* John 14:3 (being with Jesus) – “I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may also be.”
* 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (being with believers) – “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?”
* 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (a new body) – “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”
* 1 Peter 1:3-4 (an inheritance) – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who… has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”
* Revelation 5:10 (reigning on earth) – “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Hoping (C):
* 1 Peter 1:13 – “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
* Romans 5:2 – “We exult in hope of the glory of God.”
* 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – “… and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
* Titus 2:13 – “While we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Jesus (T, P):
* Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
* Psalm 63:8 – “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”
* Psalm 73:23 – “Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.”
* Matthew 28:20 – “… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
* Philippians 3:7-9 – “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
Love God (C):
* Psalm 18:1 – “I love You, O Lord, my strength.”
* Mark 12:30 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
* John 14:21 – “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and disclose Myself to him.”
Love one another (P):
* 1 Peter 4:8 – “The end of all things is near… above all, keep fervent in your love for one another.”
* John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
* Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.”
* 1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Not Alone (T, P):
* John 14:16 – “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Holy Spirit), that He may be with you forever.”
* Hebrews 13:5-6 – “I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you… The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
* Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.”
Overcome (C, P):
* Revelation 12:11 – “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”
* Romans 8:35-37 – “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?… But in all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
* 1 John 2:14 – “I have written to you young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
* Revelation 2:7 – “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life.”
Persevere (C, P):
* Matthew 24:13 – “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
* Revelation 13:10 – “If anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and faith of the saints.”
* 2 Chronicles 15:7 – “As for you, be strong, and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
* Galatians 6:9 – “Do not grow weary of doing good, for in due we will reap, if we do not grow weary.”
Pray (P):
* 1 Peter 4:7 – “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
* 2 Chronicles 20:12 – “O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
* John 14:13-14 – “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
* Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.”
Preach the gospel (P):
* Matthew 24:14 – “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
* Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
* Acts 3:19-21 – “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things.”
* Philippians 1:12-13 – “I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard.”
Rapture (T):
* Matthew 24:31 – “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.”
* 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
* 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
Sober (C):
* 1 Thessalonians 5:6 – “Let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”
* 1 Peter 1:13 – “Keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
* 1 Peter 4:7 – “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
* Titus 2:6 – “Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech…”
Sovereignty (T, P):
* Isaiah 46:9-11 – “I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning… saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’… Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass”
* Psalm 46:10 – “Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth.”
* Daniel 4:35 – “His dominion is an everlasting dominion… All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven, and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’”
* Romans 8:28 – “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Strong (C):
* Ephesians 6:10-13 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might… Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil… Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day.”
* Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 2 Samuel 10:12
* 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Suffering (T, P):
* Matthew 24:9 – “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”
* 1 Peter 4:12-13 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you… but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
* 1 Peter 2:21 – “You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.”
* Revelation 2:10 – “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Unbelievers (T):
* 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – “For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so they will believe what is false, in order that they may all be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”
* Revelation 14:9-10 – “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone… in the presence of the Lamb… and the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever.”
* Psalm 37:7-10 – “Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes… For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more…”
* Luke 12:4 – “My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more they can do.”
Wisdom (T):
* Revelation 13:18 – “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”
* Proverbs 4:7 – “The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
* Matthew 10:16 – “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
* 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – “Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.”
Work for God (P):
* Luke 19:12-13 – “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for Himself and then return…. Do business until I come back.”
* Matthew 25:21 – “The master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’”
* 1 Peter 4:10 – “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
* Ephesians 2:10 – “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, RESTORING THE SOUL;
THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD IS SURE, MAKING WISE THE SIMPLE.
THE PRECEPTS OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT, GIVING JOY TO THE HEART;
THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD IS PURE, GIVING LIGHT TO THE EYES.
Psalm 19:7-8