End Time Events Revealed

The title of our study today is, End Time Events Revealed. End Time Events Revealed. I was thinking this week that prophecy is wonderful, particularly end time prophecy. Particularly wonderful because what a blessing it is that God does give us advanced notice of what to expect as that time approaches. And having advanced end time knowledge of actual events which will take place, it not only prepares us, but it should produce in us a calm and a courage when these hardships come. Because we'll be able to see that as these events unfold, they are unfolding exactly as God foretold. At the very end of our age, we know Satan will attempt to destroy all of humanity. There will be a vast military force that converges upon Jerusalem to face off against another vast military force. And they will actually look to turn to make war with the returning son himself. And no doubt at that time confusion, fear, those things will look to overtake us. But God answers that fear by giving his children again for knowledge of what is to occur. Jesus Christ says of the end time events, these things I've spoken to you that you should not be made to stumble when they come. It's very important. So the Son of God, the very Son of God, Jesus Christ does not want us to stumble or to be caught off guard or to panic or to fall away as we see these things happening all around us. And so one major reason a loving God reveals future events of what is to occur is so that again, as they begin to happen, it will strengthen our knees to realize that they're occurring just as he said they would. So we're going to talk about end time prophecy. And particularly end time prophecy details and events that occur right before and right around the Great Tribulation. We know that the Bible reveals that the Great Tribulation is those last three and a half years before Christ returns. And so that is the time there that we want to turn our focus on to today. But before we begin, I just want to say right here at the beginning that while it is true, and we're going to see this today, that God does give us a measure of understanding of the details. Neither the United Church of God or myself know the fullness of what is to occur. I think that's important to state. It's also important to state that no amount of prophecy understanding or knowledge will save you. No amount of prophecy knowledge or understanding will save you. So while it's important to study these prophecies, these specific events, these specific occurrences that are going to happen, we're going to look at that today. While that is important, we approach a study like this acknowledging that the most important thing for a follower of Jesus Christ is not in the knowing but in the being prepared for these end time occurrences. So with that long introduction, I invite you to open your bibles, and let's begin by turning to Matthew 24 and verse 3. We are going to go right to the heart of end time prophecy. Matthew 24 beginning in verse 3, where here in this passage we're going to see that this term, great tribulation, it comes to us directly from Jesus Christ and the Olivet prophecy here. And what's fascinating about this passage that we'll see is that Jesus Christ is speaking directly to his own, directly to his disciples here, giving them specific knowledge surrounding the end time. So look at this, Matthew 24 beginning in verse 3.

Now, as he, that's Jesus Christ, set on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, tell us when these things will be and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age. Okay, so again he's speaking directly to the disciples here. And here's the answer to that question. Tell us when these things will be, what will be the sign of your coming at the end of the age? Verse 4. And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences, earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Verse 9. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will be offended and will betray one another and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Verse 13. But he or we could say she, he or she who endures to the end, shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Let's stop there for a moment. So what will be the sign of your coming? The sign that the end of the age is upon us? Well, many things. Wars, earthly calamities, persecution of God's people, false religion, brothers and sisters turning on one another. Many offenses. This is the end time period. These are the signs, he says.

And picking back up in verse 15, what we see is that what we just read was kind of an overarching picture of what to expect. And now Jesus Christ, though, is going to give us something very specific here. This is what we're going to really hone into here, hone in on to here. Verse 15 through 22, he now will speak specifically about the days leading up to the Great Tribulation, those last three and a half years. And he's going to mention an occurrence, a specific occurrence here. It's called the Abomination of Desolation. This will occur right before the Great Tribulation. So here it is. Verse 15 through 20. He continues, therefore, when you see the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, whoever reads, let him understand. Verse 16. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who's on the housetop not go down and take anything out of the house. Let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in those days and pray that your flight may not be in the winter or on the Sabbath. Then verse 21 here. Why respond in that way? So the Abomination respond urgently. Verse 21. Why respond in this way when you see the Abomination? Verse 21. For then there shall be great tribulation, such as not been seen since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days be shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect's sake, those days will be shortened. So let's stop there. So this is, as you can tell, and all of us could acknowledge, this is a very important passage for God's people as we turn our focus on to the end time here. Verse 15 says very directly that when you see this end time event, this abomination of desolation, you, as God's people, get moving. You know, get moving. Let them understand you need to flee. If you're in Judea, don't go back to the mountains. If you're, don't go back to your house, don't get your clothes. This is flight time. If you're pregnant, it's going to be very difficult. And pray that this flight is not in the wintertime. Pray that it's not on the Sabbath. So again, why do people, God's people, need to respond with such urgency when they see this abomination? Well, verse 21 again, for then there will be great tribulation. And it's going to be a tribulation that has never been seen before on this earth. So this is going to be it. The abomination is that event which is going to kick off this incredible tribulation here.

Christ says, again, when you see this abomination of desolation, the great tribulation is going to begin. So remarkably, we have this very specific occurrence or this very specific event given to us here. Abomination of desolation right before the great tribulation begins.

So the obvious question is, tell me about this abomination. What is this abomination about? I want to know more about it so that I know I can follow those instructions on how I respond.

Verse 15 gives us a little bit of a measure about what this abomination is. Verse 15 shows us that there will be a holy place in the end time designated by God. So this is going to be a holy place designated by God. There will be an evil figure standing in the holy place, as it says there in verse 15, standing there. So an evil figure is in the picture here, someone that does not represent God, someone just the opposite. And it'll be an evil figure that defiles the holy place. So an abomination occurs, an abomination which makes this holy place desolate. And this will happen right before the Great Tribulation again. So we want to be looking for this. We want to know more about this. This stirs us to understand more about these end days here. And I think it's pretty remarkable that Jesus Christ does direct us, in a sense, to find out more as he references Daniel's words. You notice that there in verse 15, as spoken by Daniel the prophet. So there would have been those there, those disciples whom Jesus Christ was speaking to when he mentions that their minds would have been going back to that, those recordings, and thinking about that, this abomination of desolation. So let's be moved back to that book. Let's think about that book and let's see if we can uncover more about this end time event. And the event, this abomination, this standing in the Holy Place, it's specifically given to us in Daniel 8 verse 11. So turn with me there, if you will. We want to look at Daniel's words today about this event, this occurrence.

And we're going to break into the chapter here. Of course, the book of Daniel is a great prophetic book, but we want to come right to this moment in which Jesus Christ is referring to here, this abomination. And we get right to it in chapter 8 in verse 11, where we're going to see this evil figure defiling, causing an abomination in God's Holy Place. So we're going to pick up here in chapter 8 verse 11 and 12. And what we're going to see here is, as we begin to read in Daniel, we're going to see that Daniel reveals more details about the end time, additionally, to this abomination. So let's pick up here. Daniel 8 verse 11 and 12.

Speaking of this evil individual who's standing, as we read, he even exalted himself as high as the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Verse 12, because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifice, and he cast true truth down to the ground, and he did all this and prospered. I'll stop there for a moment. So this is that which Jesus Christ was referring to, as recorded by Daniel here. And as we get into this now, I want to just pause for a moment and give you a little understanding, or remind you a little understanding about end time prophecy, and prophecy in general. One of the keys to understanding biblical prophecy is the principle of duality. So duality. In other words, you can have one fulfillment, one fulfillment that has happened in history, in the past, carried out, partially fulfilled by men in history. But the duality comes in, and it can also point that prophecy will have another fulfillment, and it points to a future fulfillment that will come to pass at a later time. And that's certainly the case we're going to see today here in Daniel 8. And we're going to first review the initial fulfillment of this prophecy from the perspective of a fulfillment that's already occurred in history. And then we're going to look at the future fulfillment, future to us, that has not yet occurred that will happen at the end of days. So duality fulfillment here. So here in verse 11 and 12, Daniel speaking about one, an evil one who would come, exalt himself as the Prince of Host. Who's the Prince of Host? Jesus Christ himself. Of course, the Great Prince. So this individual is going to exalt himself as God.

So in the first historical fulfillment, it is very clear who this individual was. After Alexander the Great of the Grecian Empire, after he died, there arose four generals that took leadership of the Grecian Kingdom. And one of the kings which came from one of those four kingdoms, his name was Antiochus Epiphanes. Some of us are familiar, of course, Antiochus Epiphanes. And there in verse 12, this king, referred to as a horn, he was one who in history actually exalted himself, no doubt. And he performed a horrible act in God's temple. This is recorded in history. This historical figure, Antiochus Epiphanes, he, verse 11, exalted himself as high as the Prince of Hosts. He, by him, the daily sacrifices were taken away. This actually occurred in history. And the place of God's sanctuary was cast down. Given to this leader, the daily sacrifices were stopped and he cast truth to the ground, no doubt. And he prospered for a time. This actually occurred in history. Antiochus Epiphanes, an absolutely evil ruler, evil to the core. And he was a Syrian leader who took control of Jerusalem, took control of Jerusalem, put forth incredible persecution to the Jews, took over the temple, absolutely defiled it, absolutely defiled it. He stopped the daily sacrifices which were being made to God, stopped those, put a pagan idol on the altar, even sacrificed swine's blood there on God's holy temple. It's all recorded in history. You know, it's passed to us, of course, quite an abomination in God's sight. So it was an abomination which made God's sanctuary, the temple desolate. So it was an abomination which made the temple desolate. Okay, that's what's being spoken of here by Daniel. An abomination of desolation occurred in this first historical figure.

He took away the daily sacrifices and performed these filthy, perverted, unclean sacrifices upon the temple. A great abomination to God. History records that perhaps it was such an abomination to God that soon after he carried out these things, he picked up a deadly disease and died within a few years after he carried out this in the temple.

But there is duality in prophecy, okay? Antiochus was just a type, a forerunner, of a horrific future event. The horrific future event which Jesus Christ spoke to is his his disciples. This is what Jesus Christ was speaking to. Tell us about the end time. And he says, I'm going to tell you about a time in which someone is standing and performs this abomination. And it's a horrific event. And he tells him at this time, you know, when you see this, you better get going. Things are about to get really bad. It was really bad for God, for those that followed God, God's followers. Then, with Antiochus Epiphanes, it's going to be like nothing that the world's ever seen in the future.

A future end time event to come just before the Great Tribulation. Another abomination of desolation carried out again by an evil one. So I want to turn our focus now on to the future event. And I want to read these verses again, but I want you to read it from the view that this is future to us.

So I'm going to read verses 11 and 12 again, but I'm going to go ahead and move into 13 and 14 because it really, verses 13 and 14, it takes this prophecy squarely on to the end time. Let's read this again here in Daniel verses 11 through 14. He, this evil one, even exalted himself as high as the Prince of Hosts. By him the daily sacrifices were taken away and the place of God's sanctuary was cast down.

Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose daily sacrifices and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. Verse 13, then I heard a holy one speaking and another holy one that said to the certain one who was speaking, how long will this vision be concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolations and the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot? In verse 14 he said to me, for 2,300 days and then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.

Okay, let's stop there. So again, you'll notice that verse 13 and 14 really move this prophecy on to a final fulfillment here. recorded Daniel records he heard a holy one speaking to another holy one. It doesn't identify who these holy ones were.

They could be angels. Most agree that it was very likely that this is actually Jesus Christ himself, the son speaking to God the Father, asking the Father in verse 13, when will these things occur? How long will these things be? You're speaking of the stopping of the daily sacrifices, the abomination, the casting down of truth, and the cleansing. How long will all this take and this answer here? How long will the vision be concerning all these things?

How long will this period last? It could be Jesus Christ asking this because, you know, he actually said no man knows the day or the hour. Only the Father knows. So if this is the Father, the Father gives a very specific time period here. It's a time period we should be aware of as we look to the end time. How long will this vision be? How long will all this occur? What's the time span? 2,300 days. You know, that's a little over six years.

We're really taking a picture of the end time in this span of a little over six years, 2,300 days, that we're really going, if we're alive at the end time, we're really going to see all these things really start to escalate. 2,300 day period. This seems to indicate that there will be a future time in which the daily sacrifices start again. A time in which the holy place then is defiled. A future abomination occurs. A final and then it all leading to a final temple cleansed here. Again, verse 13, how long will this vision be concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation and the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot like this?

You know, verse 14, 2,300 days. And then the sanctuary will be cleansed. A little over six year period here he's speaking of. What is the cleansing of? What is the future sanctuary cleansing pointing to? I think we could say it's pointing to the return of Jesus Christ. You know, when the whole earth is going to be cleansed, that's the ultimate cleansing, right? With the return of Jesus Christ. So in a future fulfillment of the end time, it seems to indicate again there will be a holy place.

Sacrifices will begin. An evil one is allowed to stand. He's given a certain measure of power, an army, to exalt himself like God during this six year period or so here. All leading. This is all before the ultimate cleansing of Jesus Christ's returns. So we can have awareness. We don't want an unbalanced awareness. What did I say at the beginning as to why this is so important? It's not that we break out our calculators.

God's people will know their shepherd's voice in the end. If you're close to God, you will know. You will hear his voice. This is what we need to be expecting. We need to be alert to these things.

And you may be wondering, well, is this really pointing to a future event? Or could we still put this on the shoulders of Antiochus Epiphanes? Well, verse 15 through 17, continuing here, it really nails it down that we're talking about the future. This prophecy is way too big for Antiochus' shoulders to withstand. This is a future evil leader in end time. Verse 15 through 17 really refers and points this out. Verse 15, then it happened when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking meaning that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Uli who called and said, Gabriel, make this man understand the vision. Verse 17, so he came near where I stood and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face. But he said to me, understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end. Let's stop there. So we're absolutely talking about a future event. Jesus Christ referred to it. He says, go back in Daniel. Hone up your study skills in Daniel. We're talking about the end time here. And again, it's a 2300 day period that's being referred to here. It's a little over six years.

But it gets even more interesting. There's a few more markers. There's a few more days that are specified in Daniel. Additionally, to this 2300 day period. And I want to look at those now because, again, within this 2300 days, this six year period, Daniel actually gives us more understanding, more specific occurrences to look for. This will give us confidence in the end time. And so I want to show you these other two occurrences that are going to happen in this six year period as revealed by Daniel. Daniel reveals these a few chapters forward. Turn with me to Daniel 12 and verse 11 and 12. We're going to see these other two occurrences that happen within that six year period. Daniel 12 verse 11 and 12. We're going to see one marker, one mark that's going to happen at the 1335 day mark. And then another one that's going to happen at the 1290 day mark. So it's all within this 2300 days. Let's look at this. Daniel 12 beginning of verse 11. Here's more understanding of this period of time. And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, so when that future Antiochus figure takes away the sacrifice from that time and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be 1290 days. Verse 12. Blessed is he who waits and comes to the 1335 days. Okay, so let's stop there. This is interesting. It actually tells us when the abomination is going to occur and the daily sacrifice is taken away, when it's going to occur in that 2300 day period, that six year period. What's even more interesting is here it says there will be a blessing within that time, right around the 1335 day mark. So this is all before the cleansing, the ultimate cleansing of Jesus Christ's return. We have these two other occurrences that are within that 2300 day period. Let's talk about this blessing here in verse 12 first. So here in the final days, it says a blessing occurs at the 1335 day mark. So after the 2300 day period, we're counting down to Jesus Christ's return. God's people come to this 1335 day mark and a blessing comes. So a blessing comes to God's people at this time.

So God's people can expect a blessing within the six year period, in around the 1335 day mark, says here, we can expect a blessing. What do you think this blessing is? Well, it doesn't say, so I don't know. Some have speculated that it could be the blessing referred to in Revelation, when we know there will be a place prepared for God's people. Some will escape the tribulation, those last three and a half year period. So this is just before that last three and a half year period starts. There is a place prepared. We could say what better blessing could come to God's people right at that time than for there to be knowledge revealed or the ability to escape this this turmoil and tribulation that's occurring. That could be the blessing.

Possibly here. Again, we read in Revelation that the church will be protected, not everyone, but many will be protected from the evil that's occurring. They'll be nourished for a period of time. So that certainly would be a blessing. We don't know, but again, God's people will need a blessing at this time because we'll need a blessing because of what's revealed in verse 11, this countdown to the ultimate cleansing. Verse 11 again, And from the time of the daily sacrifices are taken away and the abomination is set up, there shall be 1290 days. So you come to these days where before Christ returns, this blessing comes to God's people. There's a 45-day difference, 1335 and 290. A 45-day difference from a blessing to this abomination the daily sacrifice is taken away will occur. So it seems 45 days here from this blessing, this abomination occurs. Again, God's people will need a blessing because what happens, what did Jesus Christ say when you see this abomination? And now we're told it's going to happen at the 1290-day mark. You better get fleeing. It's going to be bad. It's fixing to get, it's about to get very bad here, he says.

That's what Jesus Christ Himself warned. Now we see that it's going to occur at the 1290-day mark before the ultimate cleansing, the return of Jesus Christ. So we know, and this will be a future study, but there is absolutely a beast individual. There is a false prophet. There's a political entity and a religious entity that come together to bring about these end-time events. These are very difficult. Things get very bad. And scripture reveals that the last three and a half years, those three and a half years, if you wanted to give that a time span, it's actually 1,260. So three and a half years on God's calendar is 1,260. So you have this blessing 1335, 45 days later at 1290-day mark, the abomination is occurring. 30 days from that, the Great Tribulation begins. 1,260 days prior to the return of Jesus Christ. That is the time, times, and half a time. Those last three and a half years. You can see that referred to here, actually, in verse 7. If you allow your eyes to go up to verse 7, that last three and a half years is very difficult. The Great Tribulation, verse 7, Then I heard a man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, he held up his right hand, and is left up to heaven, and swore by him, who lives forever, that it shall be a time, times, and half a time, when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, and then all these things will be finished. So, we'll be moving fast. So, think of these words, time, as you think of that as a year. So, our calendar is 365 days. God's calendar is 360. 360 is God's calendar. So, if you take a time, that's 360, that's one time, times, that's 360, 360, half a time, 180. You didn't know you were going to do math today. 360, 360, 360, 180, that adds up to 1260. So, again, the three and a half year great tribulation is 1260 days. And, in fact, you actually see this reference if you turn over to Revelation 11 verse 3. I just want to show you this really quickly. Another indicator of this, that last three and a half years before the great cleansing, Revelation 11 verse 3 that's when the last three and a half years begin. That's when the two witnesses come on the scene.

So, reading Revelation 11 3 it says, and I will give power to my two witnesses and they will prophesy 1260 days clothed in sackcloth. So, this seems to indicate that 30 days after that abomination at the 1290 day mark, just 30 days after the great tribulation begins, the two witnesses are on the scene, and it is imminent. Three and a half years later, Jesus Christ will return to cleanse the world. To cleanse the world. So, how remarkable are these things?

Again, is knowing these days and getting out your calculator, is that preeminent? No. No. Is preparation for these days preeminent? Yes. Yes. Is having a healthy, balanced understanding of world events important? Yes. Yes. We need to be looking. We need to be watching for these things and teaching our children. I can't tell you how strengthening it will be when we see these things come to pass. Everything around us is going to be falling apart. It's going to be falling apart. But how what a blessing it is that God's going to give us understanding. Hey, I'm still in control. It's happening exactly the way it is. I need you to be faithful servants to the end. I told you how it's going to be. So, don't stumble. Don't stumble. Go to the end, the very end.

We see this prophecy given to us by Daniel. We see Jesus Christ reiterating it to his disciples. And I'd like to finish today and conclude by seeing, reading a passage of Scripture that the Apostle Paul gives us all throughout the Scripture. It's this end time events are given to us. And again, it is for our strengthening. So, I'd like to read from, to look to conclude today by reading a passage from the Apostle Paul regarding all these things. I think it's a great summary. And it's found in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 1. It's not a long chapter, so I'd like to read all of it. It is a great summary to all that we've read today. It does focus again on the purpose of prophecy, to strengthen us, to help us persevere. Paul is certainly endeavoring to give that to God's people here, the Thessalonians, and give it to us today as we read it. So, 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, let's just begin reading in verse 1, and we're going to read through the balance of this chapter. It's a great summary.

Here it is, 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Now, brethren, and I want you just to think that, and know that this is speaking to us today. Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together into Him, we ask you not to soon be shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us as though the day of Christ had come. Verse 3, let no one deceive you by any means, for that day will not come unless there's a falling away. It comes first. And the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Verse 5, do you remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? Verse 6, and now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time or at the right time, we could say. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming. That's important to know. Verse 9, the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, 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. Verse 13, but, but we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved by God, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which he called you by our gospel for the purpose of obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions with which you were taught, whether by word or by epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, may he comfort your heart and establish you in every good word and work. So let's stop there. It's a great summary, isn't it, here? You know, Paul goes through the difficulty of what's going to occur, such lawlessness, this, this, this evil one's coming. He, he opposes God. He's going to exalt himself there in verse four. I've told you these things, verse five.

The lawlessness is already at work. Couldn't we say that today? That's what Paul says there in verse seven. It's already at work. God's restraining these things until the time. It seems like there's a little bit of release here that's happening. The evil around the world is tremendous today. I love it, though, that in verse eight he reminds us that the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming. We know who, who is victorious in the end, but it is going to be difficult. Verses nine through 12 is a great pricking of our hearts.

Do not be deceived. If you believe the lie, you may have a delusion that God places on you. But then I love it. Verse, you know, what you notice in Scripture, anytime there's a really difficult part of Scripture to digest, it's always hopeful. And that's what Paul does here in beginning in verse 13. But give thanks to God. Let me remind you. He chose you for salvation. From the beginning he chose you. From the beginning he chose everyone here for salvation. That's his purpose. For saving, for salvation, for obtaining glory in our Lord Jesus Christ.

So don't let this warning, this deception, don't let it don't be deceived. Believe. Believe the prophet Daniel. Believe the apostle Paul. Believe Jesus Christ himself.

Believe these things. Believe that he's going to have victory in the end. Keep yourself in that safety. Make sure you're standing on truth. Again, God chose you from the very beginning for salvation. For salvation.

Pray for this everlasting consolation. That's comfort, good hope, and grace.

I hope he's stirred to that. Let me just conclude today by finishing as Paul concludes here. Again, one of the most important or the preeminent importance of all this kind of study is that it establishes you to the end. And as Paul concludes here, we will conclude as well. Let these things ultimately comfort your heart and establish you in every good word and work. Establish you in every good word and work. So let's be a people that are aware. But more importantly, let's be a people who are prepared for this incredible return of our Son and Savior, Jesus Christ.