Winds of Change: The Biblical Foundation of End Times Prophecy

Winds of Change: Jack Righteous and the Countdown to Eternity — The Biblical Foundation of the End Times

Introduction: The Significance of End Times in the Bible

The concept of the "end times," often referred to as eschatology, has been a central theme in both Christian and Jewish theology for millennia. It encompasses God’s plan for the final days of the world as we know it—events leading to the return of Christ, judgment, and the ultimate renewal of creation. As we embark on this journey into the universe of Jack Righteous, it’s important to lay a biblical foundation for understanding the end times, providing a roadmap of prophecy before expanding into new narratives.

This article will focus on the core books of the Bible that are traditionally accepted as dealing with the end times, helping readers understand the sacred texts that shape both Christian and Jewish views of the final days.

1. The Old Testament Prophets: Paving the Way for the End

The Old Testament prophets were among the first to speak about the end times, providing visions of judgment, restoration, and the coming of God’s final kingdom.

Isaiah

  • Authorship: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who ministered in the 8th century BCE. Scholars believe chapters 1-39 were written by Isaiah, while chapters 40-66 may have been composed by his followers.

  • End Times Significance: In Isaiah 24-27, we find what is often called Isaiah’s "Apocalypse," where God’s judgment will fall on all nations, leading to the destruction of evil and the establishment of peace. Later, in Isaiah 65-66, Isaiah prophesies about the creation of a new heavens and new earth, a future era of perfect harmony where suffering, death, and sin will be no more.

  • Key Verses:

    • "See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants." (Isaiah 24:1)
    • "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)

Daniel

  • Authorship: Traditionally credited to Daniel, a Jewish exile in Babylon during the 6th century BCE, though scholars suggest it may have been written later in the 2nd century BCE.

  • End Times Significance: Daniel’s visions in chapters 7-12 are some of the most influential eschatological texts, speaking of future kingdoms, the rise of the "Ancient of Days", judgment of nations, and the resurrection of the dead. Daniel 12:1-3 is particularly significant for its discussion of a great time of distress, resurrection, and final deliverance.

  • Key Verses:

    • "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then." (Daniel 12:1)
    • "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2)

Ezekiel

  • Authorship: Ezekiel was a priest and prophet exiled to Babylon in the 6th century BCE. His prophecies are filled with symbolic visions of Israel's future.

  • End Times Significance: In Ezekiel 38-39, the prophet describes the war of Gog and Magog, which is often linked to final battles of good and evil. Ezekiel 40-48 outlines a vision of the restored temple and God's eternal reign, which many interpret as symbolizing the new world that will come after God’s final judgment.

  • Key Verses:

    • "I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother." (Ezekiel 38:21)
    • "The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east." (Ezekiel 43:4)

Joel

  • Authorship: The prophet Joel is generally dated to either the 9th or 5th century BCE, and his prophecies revolve around the "Day of the Lord."

  • End Times Significance: In Joel 2-3, the prophet speaks of the Day of the Lord as a time of cosmic upheaval and God’s judgment on the nations, followed by the restoration of God's people. Joel’s prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit is later quoted in Acts 2, connecting it to Christian eschatology.

  • Key Verses:

    • "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Joel 2:31)
    • "I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel." (Joel 3:2)

2. The New Testament: Jesus and the Apostles on the End Times

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles expand on Old Testament prophecies, focusing on the return of Christ, the final judgment, and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.

Matthew 24-25 (The Olivet Discourse)

  • Authorship: Traditionally attributed to Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, written around 80-90 CE.

  • End Times Significance: Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 24-25 describe the signs of the end of the age, including wars, natural disasters, and persecution, followed by the coming of the Son of Man and the final judgment. He emphasizes the importance of staying alert and prepared for His return.

  • Key Verses:

    • "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places." (Matthew 24:7)
    • "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne." (Matthew 25:31)

1 & 2 Thessalonians

  • Authorship: Written by the apostle Paul around 50-51 CE, making these some of the earliest New Testament writings.

  • End Times Significance: In 1 Thessalonians 4-5, Paul teaches about the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead, often referred to as the "rapture." In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul describes the rise of the man of lawlessness, who will be revealed before Christ’s return and ultimately destroyed.

  • Key Verses:

    • "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
    • "The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

1 Corinthians 15

  • Authorship: Written by Paul around 53-54 CE.

  • End Times Significance: 1 Corinthians 15 is a crucial text for Christian beliefs about the resurrection of the dead and Christ's victory over death. Paul explains that at the end of time, all believers will be transformed into imperishable bodies, signaling the defeat of death and the beginning of eternal life.

  • Key Verses:

    • "For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:52)
    • "The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:26)

Revelation

  • Authorship: Written by John of Patmos, traditionally identified as the apostle John, around 95-96 CE.

  • End Times Significance: Revelation is the most detailed book in the New Testament on the end times, filled with symbolic visions of the final battle between good and evil, the return of Christ, and the creation of a new heaven and new earth. Key passages include the opening of the seven seals, the battle of Armageddon, and the description of the New Jerusalem.

  • Key Verses:

    • "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
    • "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war." (Revelation 19:11)

3. Building the Path: How These Texts Guide Us to Understand the End Times

The texts from the Old and New Testaments together form a comprehensive narrative of the end times. They paint a picture of judgment, resurrection, and renewal, forming the foundation of Christian eschatology. The overarching themes of God’s judgment on evil, the hope of resurrection, and the promise of a new heaven and earth unite these books, creating a clear path for understanding the end of days.

4. Preparing for the Winds of Change: What Comes Next

As we lay this biblical foundation, the next step is to explore why now is the time to listen to the warnings about the end times. While the message of coming judgment has been proclaimed for centuries, many have dismissed it as irrelevant or distant. In the next article, we’ll explore why the boy crying wolf may have been right all along and why today’s signs suggest we must pay attention.

Conclusion: The Importance of Understanding the Biblical End Times

Understanding the biblical view of the end times is crucial for forming a clear path based on the Scriptures. These prophecies—rooted in both the Old and New Testaments—offer a foundational understanding of judgment, resurrection, and the ultimate renewal of creation. By examining these key texts, we can begin to understand the broader narrative of the end times as outlined in the Bible.

As the warnings of the end times grow louder, many still dismiss them as ancient tales. But is it time to take the boy crying wolf seriously? In the next article, we'll dive into why the signs are more relevant now than ever. Are you prepared for the Winds of Change?

Back to blog

Leave a comment