There are a couple of things that are important in identifying when the last days on Earth can or will occur according to the Bible. First, we need to look at Matthew 24:14, "and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come". This wasn't even possible until the age of technology and the development of sattelite technology. Today we see many television evangelist that have a program that goes around the world. This should be a big hint that now it is possible for the last days to occur.
Matthew 24:32-34, "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place". The fig tree is a symbolic meaning for Israel. Israel became a nation again in 1948. The putting for of leaves would have to be when Israel regained Jerusalem in 1967. This verse would indicate that the generation that is alive to see Jerusalem under Jewish control would not pass away. The real question is what time frame is a generation. In the Bible a generation of Jews passed away in the forty years of wandering before they were allowed into the promise land. Seventy to eighty years of age is acknowledged as a life span of man. So, if we use the seventy years from 1967, 2037 would be the maximum time. It would be logical that the end times would start at least a decade before that in order to get the seven years of tribulation in. It is possible that we are that generation that will not pass away before the return of Christ.

In order to better understand the book of Revelation and the end times, Matthew chapter 24 is a good place to start. This chapter is when Jesus was talking to the disciples on the Mount of Olives. It gives many hints to what will happen in the beginning of the tribulation time. So, next time we will take a closer look at Matthew 24. Hope you will join me.

God bless, Dean