The Bible contains some accounts of our history as the human race and that of Israel as a people, but it is not the only one. Many other books give valuable insight into human and Israelite history. The difference between those and the Bible is that the books of the Christian/Messianic Bibles were put together because they provide insight from the perspective of The Creator:- YHWH.
Nothing however, is ever written to scare us. God takes no pleasure in our terror nor in his judgement, he is not that kind of God. Rather, the warnings and judgement recorded, are his act of mercy and grace to show us the way to escape impending disaster or judgement.
''Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!'' Ezekiel 18:31-32
The Bible as YHWH's inspired account helps us understand him, ourselves, his plans for us and our world. It explains our past, our existence and declares our future.
YHWH (the creator) never left us in the dark and he never will concerning anything that pertains to us as humans. In fact, some events reoccur to help us understand that whatever he says will be, surely will be.
''I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’'' Isaiah 46:10
Jesus and the prophets spoke of the Last Days leading up to YHWH's final Judgement of the world.
They told of wars, natural disasters, and spiritual, moral and physical violence and decay in and between people and nations. [ Read Matthew 24, Daniel 12]
But they also spoke of Great spiritual outpourings and awakenings around the world.
''For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.'' Hosea 3:4 - 5
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.'Acts 2:17
''In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.'' Micah 4:1
While it is vital to know and watch closely the events in our world as they align with what the scriptures tell us are the signs of the end of times ( the last days), the Lord would want more for you and I to align our hearts with his great expectations for all who would believe. We watch but the watching should not inspire terror but hope.
''Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures (Tanakh) give us.'' Romans 15:4 ERV
There have been other last days in the Bible. The nationwide destruction of Sodom And Gomorrah and of the whole earth at the time of Noah, are examples of judgements of God on humans. The days leading up to these days, were the 'Last days' however, the many destroyed did not know it as such. The days prior to any judgement are only known as the 'Last Days' by those who believe the warnings the Lord God gives before the event, and (in retrospect) by those who come after the event. The people who fall foul of the judgement, are those who never accepted the warning that those indeed were the last days for their world. For Noah and his family, and Lot for example, it was a period of great spiritual awakening and salvation.
I want to encourage you as we go further into our study of the last days, that the hope is to birth an increased hunger in us such that we understand YHWH and get encouraged to take advantage of his offer of salvation and deliverance. This is the time of his great mercy and grace. It is the time of his great love outpoured to all, the wise accept his salvation ark which is the Saviour Jesus Christ.
''The message spoken by angels proved to be true, and all who disobeyed or rejected it were punished as they deserved. So if we refuse this great way of being saved, how can we hope to escape? The Lord himself was the first to tell about it, and people who heard the message proved to us that it was true. God himself showed that his message was true by working all kinds of powerful miracles and wonders. He also gave his Holy Spirit to anyone he chose to.'' Hebrews 2:2-4
''Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.'' 2 Peter 3: 3 -9
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