The prophet Daniel was a young man who was taken out of Jerusalem into the Babylonian captivity to become one of the people in the courts of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. Daniel, in chapter 9, received an amazing revelation from the angel Gabriel. He talks about the history or the future of Israel, basically, and he speaks of 70 weeks that are going to come upon the nation of Israel, and look what he says. He was basically speaking about the fact that there’s going to be a latter week, a seven-year period, in the very end when there’s going to be a world leader that shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering in the middle of that week. He will first confirm a covenant with many for one week, but then in the middle of the week, he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering, and on the wing of abomination, he shall be one who makes desolate even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.
And it’s very interesting because it’s the same thing we see in Revelation chapter 6 when we hear about the seals that are opened. “I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’ And I looked and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went out to conquering and to conquer.” This is the beginning of the rule of a world leader that supposedly will bring peace, but it will be a very deceitful one.
The Bible says in the Book of Zechariah that the worst is yet to come.
Among the multitude of indicators we are nearing at the end of the church age is the necessity many feel for believing things that are not true in preparation for the man of sin who deceives the world.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Look at all the things in these verses that are present today. Unrighteous deception is rampant, the truth is largely rejected, believing lies is not only promoted but also legally protected, and unrighteous pleasures are the order of the day.
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Amos, Zechariah, and a host of New Testament authors have told us what is coming and what to look for when it is near. All of it is happening right now, including the reality that people all over the world are unhappy with their governments and are hungry for change.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
This is the cry of the world today; peace and the safety that comes with it. People are more than ready to accept anyone who can bring it to pass. There is one who is coming who is going to offer the world a pseudo-peace that will only be temporary. He will break the covenant he made with many and declare to the world that he is not just a leader, but God.
Thankfully Paul had more to say in 1 Thessalonians after the comments about the day of the Lord;
1 Thessalonians 5:4
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
It is true that we don’t know the day or hour of the Lord’s coming for the church, but it is equally true that the season during which it will happen is not surprising to any who know the Lord and His word. In these last days we need to to be thankful that God has revealed things to us that can only be known through knowing Him. We also can rejoice in the fact that we will not be deceived by all that is happening around us, but will be able to see the lies for what they are, a reminder the Lord is coming for us soon!
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus,