Why the End Times? (Intro part 1)

The end time events portrayed in scripture seem daunting to so many people. Many find the symbolism found in much of prophecy confusing, others avoid it out of fear. Many theories exist, based primarily upon denominational bias, to exactly why and how all of these events will unfold, if at all, as some even hold.

However I believe it is pretty important, even necessary to get into these texts and study it out. These prophetic passages have been written into our scriptures under divine inspiration, not to confuse us, but to prepare us and give us hope.

It all starts at the beginning with the fall of man. As a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience, death entered the world, and a curse was placed upon the woman, increasing pain in childbirth, and upon the ground that Adam must now work for food (Genesis 3:16-19). This curse extends throughout the generations, and today we also feel the effects of it in our lives which are also fleeting. We are not immortal, and our days are spent in toil.

The serpent was cursed as well (Genesis 3:14-15). The part I want to focus on is found in verse 15.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.

 This verse is speaking about one who would come and ultimately defeat the serpent who is none other than Satan,  reversing the curse on all of mankind, and restoring things back to how it was in the garden, where man had unhindered fellowship with God his creator.

In Numbers 24:17 we read a similar prophecy about one who is to come and bring judgement to His enemies in the last days.

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down the sound of Sheth."

In Psalm 74 we read a Psalm lamenting the destruction of Israel's temple and the affliction of the people. While this no doubt was written in the immediate context of the Babylonian captivity during the time of Nebuchadnezzar, it telescopes out to the future, when something similar but yet more cruel will take place in the land once again. Against this backdrop we read this,

Yet God is my king from of old, who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth. You decided the sea by your strength; you broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as good for the creatures of the wilderness.

Psalm 74:12-14 NASB

And in Isaiah 27:1, a verse found within the context of end time prophecy concerning the great tribulation, God's judgement against His enemies and ultimate restoration of all things. 

In that day the LORD will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, with His fierce and great and mighty sword, even Leviathan the twisted serpent; and He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.

This is speaking of the same things that we have seen in the previous verses. A day is coming when the promised seed, who we know as Jesus the Messiah, will destroy the seed of the serpent as well as the serpent himself. 

In Revelation 21:1-5 we read of a new heaven and a new earth without any death, pain, or tears. All things are now made new again

 Revelation 22:3 adds that there will no longer be any curse, and God's people will see Him face to face in eternal fellowship.

To get from Genesis 3 and the fall of mankind to the restoration of all things found in the last few chapters of Revelation we must go through a time of intense tribulation, where evil reaches its ultimate intensity in a man empowered by Satan, who is often referred to as the antichrist. 

This is where we need to study, we need to find the truth, and we need to prepare. 

I have written many posts on this sight concerning these events.  I have tagged them, so feel free to search them out and prayerfully contemplate them. I plan to continue this topic over the next several posts the Lord willing, as I feel we need to be grounded in these things.

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