The Last Days - Signs of The Times and Christ’s Soon Return

By Home Desmond Allen

Many prophecies clearly show we are in the last days.  Some readers will be fellow believers, while others will not be so; yet I write to both.  I write to believers, to encourage them to keep the faith, to keep their attention on Jesus and his promised return.  I write to non-believers because the world is soon approaching the most terrifying time in world history; and should they find themselves in the midst of this time of great tribulation, I pray they might recall this warning and place their trust in Christ, even if it should cost them their lives. 
 
I realize some might think me a raving mad man, a zealot caught up in a web of ancient tales, perhaps even thinking to themselves, "Where is the promise of his coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were."  Be that as it may, I take no offense.  How could I?  For as we read in Scripture: The gospel is foolishness to unbelievers.  The Greek term is moria (μωρία), from which we derive the word, moron.  Thus, to the unbeliever, those who adhere to the gospel of Christ are morons.  Yet, in the eyes of God, just the opposite is true, in that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" and "he takes the wise in their own craftiness".  I've never been one to give much consideration to, or be overly influenced by, peer pressure or groupthink.  So it is that I would much rather be a moron in the eyes of the world than a moron in the eyes of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Home Desmond Allen
• Release date: Jan 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224706464

Book preview

Preface

Although I’ve often discussed the last days with family and friends, several events in our rapidly changing world during the last few years led me to write and distribute a personal letter to many of them.  It was meant to encourage (and exhort if necessary) their walk with the Lord and to remind them of his soon return.  The letter was well received by most, although some were truly offended that I had the nerve to send them a letter that discussed God and prophecy.  Even before I wrote the letter, I had already started writing this treatise; so that the letter actually became a truncated version of this more detailed work on the subject.     

I realize some might think me a raving mad man, a zealot caught up in a web of ancient tales; perhaps even responding,

Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2Pe 3:4) 

Be that as it may, I take no offense.  How could I?  For as Paul observed; the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness (1Co 1:18).  The Greek (μωρία mōria), is the term from which we derive the moron.  Thus, to the unbeliever, those who adhere to the gospel of Christ are morons.  Yet, in the eyes of God, just the opposite is true.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (1Co 3:18-20)

Concerning the scoffers in these last days who ridicule the idea of Jesus’ return, Peter predicted their passionate denial of the Creator as well as Noah’s flood.  Thus he continued: "For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which now are, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2Pe 3:4-7)

Is he not speaking of modern pseudo-scientist (and their followers) who willingly refuse even to consider the reality of Divine Creation and subsequent the great flood; opting rather (without even the slightest evidence) to construct fantastical hypotheses of a big bang and evolution? 

I’ve never been one to give much consideration to, or be overly influenced by, peer pressure or group-think.  So it is that I would much rather be a moron in the eyes of the world than a moron in the eyes of God. 

With that being said, the purpose of this work is to provide a better understanding of what’s happening in the world today from the biblical perspective.  As such, we’ll address numerous prophecies that clearly show we are in the last days. 

Some readers will be fellow believers, while others will not; yet I write to both.  I write to believers, encouraging them to keep the faith—to not be deceived by popular culture and to keep their attention on Jesus and his promised return.  I write to non-believers because the world is soon approaching the most terrifying time in world history; and should they find themselves suddenly thrust into the midst of this time of tribulation, I pray they might recall this warning and choose to place their trust in Christ, even if it should cost them their lives. 

The Old Testament has at least 300 hundred prophecies (all of which were fulfilled) concerning Christ’s first appearance as the lowly Lamb of God who offered himself as a sacrifice for the propitiation of man’s sin.  Similarly, between the Old and the New Testaments, there are hundreds of prophecies concerning the last days and Christ’s second appearance when he shall return to rule the world.  Scripture actually speaks of the last days more than it speaks of any other time frame in history. 

Some of these prophecies are painted with broad strokes, providing general information regarding the condition of the world stage before Christ’s return.  Other prophecies are painted with fine strokes, describing various signs of the time in considerable detail.  Some address the political scene; some describe the moral and ethical climate of society; some speak of religion; others speak to the state of the Christian Church; others depict various diseases and natural disasters, while some expose the evils perpetrated by both the population and the world leaders.  The volume of biblical passages concerning the last days is so massive that even this expanded work is merely an abridged presentation rather than a detailed apologetic.   

Paul spent his final years in Rome under house arrest.  Because he was allowed visitors, he was able to continue his evangelical efforts,

He expounded and testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the Law of Moses, and out of the prophets. (Acts 28:23) 

In this work, I attempt a similar objective.  From both the Old and New Testaments, I shall discuss many prophetic passages that speak directly to the last days before Christ’s return; the days in which we are living.

Similar to Paul’s efforts, some will believe and some will remain unconvinced; even as the angel aptly predicted after telling Daniel of the events that would transpire in the last days.

And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (Dan 12:9-10)

So it is and has always been; not everyone is able to understand the truth and significance of Scripture.  Sadly, because God’s Word is an offense to so many, those who do not accept it are often belligerent and even violent in their rejection.  Thus, the continued persecution of God’s people throughout the ages; as Jesus said,

If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not have sin: but now they have no cover for their sin. He that hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no other man did, they would not have sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. (Jn 15:18-25)

Satan and the world hate the Jews because they are God’s chosen people to whom the oracles of God were entrusted, and through which the savior of the world was born.  They hate Christians because they have placed their trust in Christ.  They hate God’s Word because it exposes wickedness and convicts their conscience; and perhaps even more offensive, it attacks their pride:   Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov 16:18).

As the world stage is being set for Christ’s soon return, the signs of the time become evermore clear.  Some are fully developed, standing out like signposts; while others are in various stages of development becoming evermore clear as the end draws near.  As much as possible, I’ve attempted to address these various signs in chronological order; however, due to the interaction between so many signs, there is a certain degree of overlap and even reiteration.

Desmond Allen

Opelika, Alabama

Introduction

Although we are explicitly told no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return; nevertheless, several misguided enthusiasts have taken it upon themselves to predict this very thing, which of course never comes true.  Such ignorant speculations only provide fodder for the skeptics, whom we know will increase as we grow ever closer to the end. 

The Church has always considered the return of Christ to be imminent; and rightly so, as per the many instructions to watch and be ready.  Although we cannot know the exact date, many prophecies do vividly depict the climate of the world stage prior to his return.  In times past, some of the prophecies had been difficult to visualize, but today, they are very clear, even staring us in the face.  The Books of Daniel and Revelation were specifically written for those living in the final days, so they could understand the time is near.  Therefore, those informed inhabitants living when the time comes should have no difficulty discerning the signs of the time.  As we study these prophecies, we shall realize we are those last day inhabitants.  Until recent years, certain conditions—prophesied as signs of the times—had not been met.  But today, like the props for a theatrical play with the curtain about to open, those conditions are in place.

Dispensations

It’s difficult to discuss the last days and signs of the times with clarity without first discussing the concept of dispensations or ages.  As far as man’s salvation, nothing changed from one dispensation to the next.  The redeemed from all ages are covered by the blood of Christ; from those who hoped for Messiah’s appearance to those looking back at the cross and awaiting his glorious second appearance, all are saved by his blood.  

We merely view the various dispensations as theological constructs by which we better understand how God has dealt with mankind throughout history.  We can divide world history and prophetic events into seven periods, ages, or dispensations.  In each dispensation God puts mankind to a different test while simultaneously revealing more of himself.  Each age begins with an offer of blessing and ends in man’s failure. 

Aside from observing these various dispensational periods of test and failure, many passages allude to certain historic or prophetic periods.  For example: the days of Noah, in times past, end of the ages, times of the Gentiles, in other ages, the beginning of the ages, throughout the ages, hidden from the ages, before the ages, the ages to come, fullness of times, The Day of the Lord, the tribulation, the thousand years, the last days, and the last times.  Paul alluded to such periods when he wrote,

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, . . ." (Eph 1:9-10). 

Here, it’s not so much the term translated as dispensation (οἰκονομίαv oikonomían, meaning administration, stewardship, economy) of special interest, but rather the phrase fullness of times and the definition of the fullness of times, i.e. to gather together in one all things in Christ.

The first hint we have of various time periods is found in Genesis.

And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. (Gen 49:1)

Moses spoke of a time when giants roamed the earth.

The Emim dwelt there in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim; Who also were considered giants, as the Anakim; but the Moabites call them Emim. (De 2:10-11)

Joshua used the term former times to speak of a previous dispensation when Abraham and his ancestors dwelt beyond the River Euphrates.

Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the River in former times, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods. (Jos 24:2)

Joel spoke of the time after Christ’s first appearance.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (Joel 2:28, Ac 2:17)

Speaking of the last days when the Promised Land will thrive once again during Christ’s millennial reign, Ezekiel mentions the former times when the land was bountiful.

I will settle you according to your former times, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and you shall know that I am the LORD. (Eze 36:11)

Isaiah and Micah spoke of the time when Messiah would reign. 

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. (Isa 2:2, Mic 4:1)

Paul and Barnabas pleaded with the gentiles in Lysta to

turn from these vanities unto the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them: Who in times past allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.  (Ac 14:16)

In several passages Paul alluded to various ages and God’s progressive revelation.

For as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: (Ro 11:30)

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (Eph 3:5)

And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Eph 3:5, 9)

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph 3:21)

Even the mystery which has