​In the first two posts of this Bible Study series, we explored the prophetic framework of Revelation and the compelling signs that suggest we are living in the End Times. But now comes the most important question of all:       What should we do about it?

If we truly believe that the return of Jesus is near, our response must go beyond curiosity or casual interest. It must move us to action, urgency, and faithfulness.    Let's take a quick look!


🧭 We Are Called to Be Watchful
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
                                                                                                —Matthew 24:42
Jesus repeatedly told His disciples to stay alert. Not to panic. Not to hide. But to watch. To be spiritually awake and aware of the times.
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
                                                                                                —Matthew 24:44


🔥 We Are Called to Be Holy
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
                                                                                                —2 Peter 3:14
The End Times are not just about prophecy charts—they’re about purity. If we believe Jesus could return at any moment, we should live like it. This means repenting of sin, walking in obedience, and pursuing holiness - constantly.   This should be our regular practice.  Considering everything going on in the world...living Holy will probably make us really stand out!



📣 We Are Called to Share the Gospel
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
                                                                                                —Matthew 24:14
The Great Commission doesn’t pause during turbulent times—it intensifies.  Technology has made it possible to reach the ends of the earth. But it’s not just about global missions—it’s about your neighbor, your coworker, your family.   Who can you share the Gospel with today?  Who can you reach BEFORE it is too late?



🛡️ We Are Called to Be Watchful and to Stand Firm
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
                                                                                                —1 Corinthians 16:13
As the world grows darker, believers must shine brighter. That means standing firm in the Truth, even when it’s unpopular. It means refusing to compromise, even when it’s costly.



🙏 We Are Called to Encourage One Another
“…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
                                                                                              —Hebrews 10:25
We weren’t meant to walk this journey alone. The closer we get to Christ’s return, the more we need each other.  Staying in the word, coupled with fellowship, prayer, and encouragement are our lifelines in these last days.  This reminds me once again, why Bible Studies like this are so important and so powerful!


🕊️ We Are Called to Live with Hope
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”
                                                                                             —Titus 2:13
The End Times aren’t just about judgment—they are all about Jesus.   Our hope isn’t in politics, economics, or human solutions.  Our TRUE HOPE is in JESUS our Savior and HIS soon return!.


🙏 Final Thoughts
We may not know the exact moment of Christ’s return, but we do know this: He is coming soon!!   When He does, we want to be found faithful.   So let’s live with urgency.  Let’s love with compassion.  Let’s serve with joy.  Let’s proclaim the Gospel boldly.  Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus—the Author and Finisher of our faith.
 
                                                  “…Come Quickly…LORD JESUS!”
                                                                                              —Revelation 22:20

This week we began our new End Times Bible Study.   This BLOG post summarizes some of the information discussed during this week's session.   The study is scheduled to take place the Second Tuesday of each month at 7PM ET.  This blog series, based on the monthly Bible Study, will offer an overview of the Book of Revelation and the End Times from what I believe is the most biblically sound and realistic viewpoint: a Literal, Pre-Tribulation, and Pre-Millennial perspective. I know that there are other viewpoints out there, but our study will be based from this viewpoint.  If you are interested in more information, just contact us!

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​For over thirty years, I’ve been captivated by the study of biblical prophecy and the End Times. It’s a topic that has sparked countless debates, inspired deep devotion, and—let’s be honest—caused more than a little confusion. While there are many interpretations out there, one truth remains: we won’t fully understand everything until we are in glory with our Lord - but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t study it. In fact, God’s Word encourages us to do just that.  


📖 Why Study Prophecy?
Before diving into the details, let’s answer a foundational question: Why does Bible prophecy matter?

• 28% of the Bible is prophetic—that’s roughly 8,000 verses!
• 333 prophecies are about Jesus—109 were fulfilled at His first coming, leaving 224 yet to be fulfilled.
• God doesn’t want us to be ignorant
  “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep…”
                                                                                                               —1 Thessalonians 4:13
• It’s all about Jesus—the more we study prophecy, the more we understand His character, His plan, and His glory.
• There’s a blessing in it
  “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it…”
                                                                                                               —Revelation 1:3

Let’s be clear: this study is not about setting dates or indulging in speculation. The focus is found in Revelation 1:1--“The Revelation of Jesus Christ…” It’s all about Him!


🔍 How Should We Approach Bible Prophecy?
I believe in starting with the plain sense of Scripture.  As David Reagan of Lamb & Lion Ministries wisely once said:   “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense lest you end up with nonsense.”

That means we will interpret prophecy literally unless the text clearly indicates symbolism.



🧭 Understanding the Different Viewpoints
There is a very broad landscape of viewpoints related to End Times theology.  Four of the main viewpoints include:  

• Preterist:  Everything happened in the 1st century A.D.
• Historicist:  Fulfilled progressively throughout church history
• Symbolic (Idealist):  Entirely spiritualized, not literal
• Futurist: The events in Revelation will be fulfilled in the future (Revelation 4:1–2) 

(The last one -  "Futurist"  -  is my viewpoint.)

 
There are also differing views on the timing of the Rapture and honestly there are some who even question if the rapture is real (more to come on that as we get into our study).  The primary viewpoints on the rapture timing include:

• Pre-Trib: Before the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 3:10)
• Mid-Trib: At the midpoint of the Tribulation
• Post-Trib: At the end of the Tribulation
• Pre-Wrath: Just before God’s wrath (6th seal) (Revelation 6:17)
• Partial Rapture: Only some believers are taken before the Tribulation

(The first one -  "Pre-Trib"  -  is my viewpoint.)
 
Likewise, there are different views on the Millennium - the 1,000 Year Regin of Christ.  The primary views include:

• Amillennialism: Symbolic reign during the Church Age
• Postmillennialism: The Church ushers in Christ’s return after a golden age
• Premillennialism: Christ will literally reign on earth for 1,000 years after the Tribulation (Revelation 20:1–6)

(The last one -  "Premillennialism"  -  is my viewpoint.)


🧩 The Structure of the book of Revelation
Unlike many other books of the Bible, Revelation unfolds in a sequential manner. It often shifts between scenes in heaven and on earth—like a divine “meanwhile”.   There are also parenthetical sections that pause the timeline to give deeper insight into key events or characters.  An example of this is found in Revelation 4:1:  “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven…”


👥 Key Characters in the book of Revelation
As we journey through this study, we’ll encounter many significant figures:

• Jesus Christ – The central figure of the entire book (Revelation 1:12–18)
• John the Revelator – The apostle who received the vision (Revelation 1:9)
• The Two Witnesses – Possibly Moses, Elijah, or Enoch (Revelation 11:3–12)
• 144,000 Jewish Evangelists – Sealed servants of God (Revelation 7:4–8; 14:1–5)
• The Martyrs Under the Throne – Those who died for their faith (Revelation 6:9–11)
• The Antichrist, False Prophet, and Dragon – The unholy trinity (Revelation 13:1–18; 12:3–9)
• The Woman (Israel) – Gives birth to the male child (Revelation 12:1–6)
• The Harlot (Babylon) – Symbol of the Antichrist’s domain (Revelation 17:1–6)

🙏 Final Thoughts
This study isn’t about fear—it’s about faith. It’s not about predicting the future—it’s about knowing the One who holds the future. As we walk through the Book of Revelation and End times Prophecies, my prayer is that we will grow in our understanding, deepen our love for Jesus, and live with greater urgency and hope!

Let’s begin this journey with open hearts, open Bibles, and eyes fixed on Jesus—the Alpha and the Omega.
                “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
                                                                                                                     —Revelation 22:13


                      "...Come quickly...LORD JESUS!"
                                                                                                                    —Revelation 22:20