Bible Study - The Latter Days - June 21, 2026

 

Bible Study – The Latter Days - June 21, 2026

2 Peter 3:3-4
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”

In the last year or so, there has been a bold resurgence of many Holy Spirit born Christians standing strong in their faith in JESUS and unashamedly speaking out about their faith in JESUS, THE CHRIST.

As I look around and consider what is taking place in our world today, it seems that events are slowly getting worse but lining up more and more for the return of JESUS. GOD gives us signs but only GOD knows when HE will give HIS nod for JESUS to return to earth and rapture the true church along with all Holy Spirit born believers who are alive.

Some pastors refer to this as the great escape.

The following was copied from Bible Hub and is a good overview:

[My comments are bold and in brackets]

Top 10 Signs of the End Times According to the Bible [This is not an exhaustive study.]

1. Widespread Deception

A key sign to look out for is a rise in teachers promising false hope and twisting truth. Scripture says, “many false prophets will arise and mislead many” (Matthew 24:11). Such voices can lead people astray if they aren’t firmly grounded in the truth. Staying discerning and evaluating everything carefully helps us avoid being swept away by deceptive ideas.

[This is why Christians must study GOD’S Word and discern the truth, as revealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Satan does all he can to get Christians to have notions about when JESUS is returning and it not happening. False hopes and human notions are the enemy of truth.]

2. Wars and Rumors of Wars

Another hallmark is global conflict ramping up. The warning rings loud: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). Although conflicts have been around since ancient times, the intensity and persistence of war serve as reminders that we should keep watch, stay prayerful, and maintain our hope in God’s ultimate plan.

[The key is to stay ready because as we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:2

For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. Christians are to stay ready.]

[Another scripture reminds Christians to stay ready as found in Matthew 25:1-13:

Christian Standard Bible

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins^[a] who took their lamps^[b] and went out to meet the groom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; ⁴ but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. ⁵ When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

⁷ “Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

¹² “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’

¹³ “Therefore, be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.^[c]

[The oil for the lantern is generally considered as the HOLY SPIRIT. The foolish virgins were depending upon their own ability and not upon The Holy Spirit.]  

3. Natural Disasters

From sudden earthquakes to widespread famine and disease, there’s an uptick in calamities. As Luke records, “there will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences” (Luke 21:11). These events need not drive us to despair; instead, they can spark a deeper trust in the One who sustains us through every storm.

[Revelation 16:1-20: Christian Standard Bible

The First Bowl

16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven^[a] bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” ² The first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and severely painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image.

The Second Bowl

³ The second^[b] poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood like that of a dead person, and all life in the sea died.

The Third Bowl

⁴ The third^[c] poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. ⁵ I heard the angel of the waters say,

You are just,
the Holy One, who is and who was,
because you have passed judgment on these things.
⁶ Because they poured out
the blood of the saints and the prophets,
you have given them blood to drink;
they deserve it!

⁷ I heard the altar say,

Yes, Lord God, the Almighty,
true and just are your judgments.

The Fourth Bowl

⁸ The fourth^[d] poured out his bowl on the sun. It was allowed to scorch people with fire, ⁹ and people were scorched by the intense heat. So, they blasphemed the name of God, who has the power^[e] over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory.

The Fifth Bowl

¹⁰ The fifth^[f] poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People^[g] gnawed their tongues because of their pain ¹¹ and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they did not repent of their works.

The Sixth Bowl

¹² The sixth^[h] poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east. ¹³ Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming from the dragon’s mouth, from the beast’s mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ For they are demonic spirits performing signs, who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle on the great day of God, the Almighty. ¹⁵ “Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed^[i] so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.” ¹⁶ So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.^[j]

The Seventh Bowl

¹⁷ Then the seventh^[k] poured out his bowl into the air,^[l] and a loud voice came out of the temple^[m] from the throne, saying, “It is done!” ¹⁸ There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since people have been on the earth, so great was the quake. ¹⁹ The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations^[n] fell. Babylon the Great was remembered in God’s presence; he gave her the cup filled with the wine of his fierce anger. ²⁰ Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared. ²¹ Enormous hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,^[o] fell from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because that plague was extremely severe.

It is easy to avoid such scripture, but these are signs to be heeded.]

4. An Increase in Lawlessness

Spiritual darkness seems to be on the rise in many places. The Bible warns, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). This decline in compassion and moral accountability signals a deeper issue. Even so, we can shine brighter in challenging times by reflecting genuine love toward others.

5. The Rebirth of Israel

Long foretold, the repopulation of Israel and the Jewish people’s global return is a notable marker. As Ezekiel says, “I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone” (Ezekiel 37:21). This restoration reminds us that God’s promises stand firm despite centuries of upheaval, pointing forward to greater fulfillment.

[ It is always interesting to see what is going on in Israel.]

6. Worldwide Preaching of the Gospel

The good news is reaching more corners of the earth than ever before. Jesus declared, “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world” (Matthew 24:14). Modern technology makes it possible to share hope with nations far and near. Instead of standing still, believers are called to carry the message onward.

7. Persecution of Believers

Throughout history, followers of the truth have faced opposition. Yet the Scriptures predict it’s a sure sign of the end times: “Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed” (Matthew 24:9). Although persecution is daunting, it reminds us of a steadfast promise—eternal reward with the One we faithfully serve.

8. Rapid Increase of Knowledge

From instant global communication to breakthroughs in scientific fields, knowledge is advancing at lightning speed. Daniel foretold, “Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase” (Daniel 12:4). While technology can be an incredible tool, it also highlights humanity’s restless pursuit for answers and our need for timeless wisdom.

9. The Man of Lawlessness

In the last days, a prominent figure will emerge to deceive many: “The man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). This event underscores the final showdown between good and evil. Though times may grow dark, we can remain secure in the truth that triumph ultimately belongs to the One who conquers evil forever.

10. Signs in the Heavens

Finally, Scripture points to cosmic phenomena as indicators of a climax in human history: “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars” (Luke 21:25). These extraordinary wonders highlight that the universe itself bears witness to coming changes. In the midst of it all, we can find hope and confidence when we align ourselves with the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

[The race to build a base on the moon or planning a trip to Mars, infinity and beyond ---]

[I believe AI will open the path to both good and evil. It will take time, but when we consider human events now, it is a small leap to evil moving into the world order and controlling the inhabitants of earth. Keep in mind the mark of the beast whose number is 666.]

Dear FATHER, YOU are in control and faith in JESUS is the hope of all who place their faith in HIM. YOU and JESUS are the hope of all the world. Help us to focus on YOUR sufficiency and power in the fact that YOU sent JESUS to earth to show the world that YOU defeated Satan and the hope for all people is placing their faith in JESUS.

When any person places his or her faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, that person is “born again.”

As you recall JESUS revealed the term “born again” to the Rabbi Nicodemus in John 3:1-9: Christian Standard Bible

Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[sa] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

Spiritual birth is only possible through faith in JESUS.

The first birth of all humans is physical and results in physical death.

The second birth is Spiritual and results in eternal life confirmed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the person of faith guarantee of eternal life and ------ as written in Ephesians 1:13-14

In him (FAITH IN JESUS) you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Faith in JESUS is a person’s guarantee of eternal life in Heaven and eternally GOD’S eternal SON or DAUGHTER and -----

Philippians 3:20 - Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart and complete the very reason and purpose why you were born physically.

Revelation 3:20 – See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

JESUS via the Holy Spirit knocks on every person’s heart door but each person has the latch on the inside of his/her heart’s door and only that person can unlock his/her heart’s door and invite JESUS into his/her life.

Every person has that choice – Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins and asked JESUS to come into your life and save your soul? If not, now is your opportunity:

Dear JESUS, I am a sinner and need to be “born again” by YOUR eternal HOLY SPIRIT. Please forgive me for all of my sins and come into my life and make me your eternal CHILD through the miracle of SPIRITUAL BIRTH and confirm my decision by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

If you prayed this prayer or something similar, then welcome into the eternal Family of GOD. If you are not already in a Bible believing and teaching church or fellowship, I pray with you for our LORD to lead you to the right fellowship or church for you to grow and know JESUS not only as your Savior but as your eternal Brother.]

Blessings!!!