4 Pastoral Challenges in the End Times

Our world is in a season of acceleration toward two momentous events: the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the greatest hour of pressure and trouble in all of history.

Isaiah said it clearly: "For the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord shall rise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you" (Isa. 60:2).

A time of deep darkness is coming, yet at the same time, the glory of God will be seen on His people in an unprecedented way. In essence, Haggai prophesied the same thing, declaring that the Lord will shake heaven and earth, the sea and all the nations, and much more. In context to this global shaking, multitudes will come to the Jesus who will be seen as "the Desire of All Nations."

For thus says the Lord of hosts: "I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations [Jesus]" (Hag. 2:6a-7b, NKJV).

In other words, the greatest harvest of souls is coming in context to the end-time shaking of the nations. This shaking will be like a "perfect storm" affecting many areas of life—financial, political, societal, spiritual, military and much more.

Uniqueness of a Key Generation

The generation of Jesus' return will have unique dynamics. There is only one generation that will see both the greatest revival and the greatest pressure in all history occurring at the same time. Thus, two great extremes come together in one timeframe. The dynamics are unique—nobody has ever walked that path before. No other generation in history has had to navigate these two extremes. That is why the Lord put so much information in the Bible about that generation, so it is not surprising the Scripture highlights that particular generation much more than others. In fact, God's plan for the generation in which Jesus returns is the main focus in over 150 chapters in the Bible (see mikebickle.org/resources/resource/2888 for a list of these).

To get a perspective on how important these 150-plus chapters are, consider that there are 89 chapters in the four Gospels that focus on Jesus' first coming to accomplish salvation. In contrast, more than 150 chapters in the Bible focus on what will happen when Jesus returns to openly rule the whole earth. (That one generation includes the decades leading up to Jesus' return and the decades immediately following it).

God's people easily receive the good news about a coming great revival. The challenge lies in interpreting the unprecedented pressures without being afraid or offended by the many negative events that will occur. Thus, God's people must understand the biblical narrative related to the coming pressure, or they will be left, by default, to embrace a secular narrative.

The secular narrative of current and future events is presently being expressed through many different media outlets. The problem with this narrative is that is based on many wrong ideas leading to many wrong conclusions. Some present ideas that are overly optimistic, refusing to acknowledge what the Bible says about the coming pressure. Others go to the other extreme and are overly pessimistic. Only by embracing the biblical narrative will God's people be able to process the pressures in a way that will help them to grow in love and faith with a steadfast hope in God.

Believers not grounded in the biblical narrative about the end times often promote the secular narrative or the secular interpretation of the increasing crisis. In fact, far too many in the church are almost totally unaware of the biblical narrative in these more than 150 Bible chapters. Understanding the biblical narrative includes more than knowing a few general ideas about the end times; most are familiar with the fact of a coming Antichrist, the Great Tribulation and the rapture. But the Scripture has much more to say about what will happen in that generation and why.

People will respond according to the narrative they embrace. Those who don't understand the biblical narrative or storyline of unfolding events will be confused and even afraid. Many are perplexed as to where things are going as they seek to interpret society's increasing pressures and troubles. To them it seems like the train of history is veering off the tracks, and it feels as though no one really knows where things are going or why.

I have good news! The very God who can accurately predict the specific details occurring in the end times is the same God who has authority over them and can overrule the negative events causing them to work for the good of His people (Rom. 8:28). Since God has total control and deeply loves His people, we are in His good hands. We can stand in faith, filled with peace and thriving in love. Only those who interpret what is happening from God's point of view can respond with such faith and confidence.

4 Pastoral Challenges

There are also pastoral reasons we should pay attention to these 150 chapters of the Bible. I identify four negative responses Jesus warned the end-time church to be prepared to overcome. Again, I emphasize that people must understand the biblical narrative of what will happen or they will be left, by default, to embrace a secular narrative of the increasing pressures and crisis events, making them more vulnerable to be overcome by fear, offense, lust and deception.

Fear: Jesus warned that men's hearts will be overcome with fear in the end times if they are not properly equipped in the Word and walking in the Spirit. This warning applies to both believers and unbelievers. People who are overcome with fear are far more vulnerable to make terrible decisions. The Bible speaks of "men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth" (Luke 21:26a, MEV).

Offense: Many will be offended at God and one another in context to the escalating pressures. People who are offended at the Lord cannot respond to Him with strong faith and wholehearted love. Some will be offended at Jesus' leadership because they grew up in a church that taught that things were mostly only going to get better or the Lord would rapture them before the trouble increased too much. Thus, they will question Jesus' leadership and whether the Bible is true.

"And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another" (Matt. 24:10, NKJV).

3) Lust: Jesus warned His people not to allow their hearts to be weighed down with carousing and drunkenness. The word for "carousing" speaks of self-indulgence, with the main idea being immorality. Often people who are overwhelmed by fear or offense seek to find temporary relief from their pain in drunkenness, drugs and immorality. The explosion of immorality in our culture will intensify even more as internet technology provides many with opportunities to engage in it.

"Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing [lust], drunkenness ... and that Day come on you unexpectedly (Luke 21:34, NKJV).

4) Deception: Jesus prophesied that the enemy will use false prophets for his deceptive purposes. "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many" (Matt. 24:11, MEV).

Do not think of false prophets as only cult leaders and crazy eccentric people with bizarre religious ideas. I believe some of the most dangerous false prophets will be popular social reformers and media personalities who are dignified, cool, caring, intelligent and well-spoken. They will be very persuasive in their social commentary and in their call for new values and perspectives on social and sexual issues. They will come across as logical and even loving to those not grounded in God's Word. They will seek to rescue people and society from "old-fashioned" biblical values and perspectives. The enemy is raising new popular voices to spearhead counterfeit justice movements or mercy movements that claim to excel in love. They will use the biblical terms "justice, unity and love," but not in the same way the Bible defines them. These false voices will lead many people away from Jesus, the God of the Bible.

The End-Time Falling Away

Scripture clearly prophesies that some will fall away from their faith in the end times. This is one of the most tragic and serious realities in all of history.

"Now the Spirit clearly says that in last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1).

The combination of escalating fear, offense, lust and deception will result in some believers falling away (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-7, 4:3-5; Heb. 6:4-6, 10:26-31, 39; 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 20-22, 3:17). People who become fearful or offended are far more vulnerable to drift away from their faith because they are not able to make sense of the increasing pressures and troubles in the world. Paul presented the end-time falling away as obvious and as significant as the appearing of the Antichrist on the world stage.

"Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that Day [Jesus' return] will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin [Antichrist] is revealed" (2 Thess. 2:3).

22 Biblical Signs of the Times

The Lord was gracious to give His people information about these increasing pressures with important details about the generation of His appearing. The biblical signs of the times include events and trends predicted in Scripture. In Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, Jesus identified 22 signs of the times—and 20 of them are negative.

The Old Testament prophets, Jesus and the apostles prophesied of the signs of the times to alert God's people who are alive in the generation of His return that His return is imminent. Now, for the first time in history, most of these signs are increasing and making global headline news. When all the signs accelerate at the same time, God's people are to know they are living in the generation of Christ's return.

The first mention of "all these things" (Matt. 24:33) refers to the signs of the times before and during the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:5-28). The second mention of "all these things" (Matt. 24:34b) refers to what occurs after the Great Tribulation, at the time of Jesus' return (Matt. 24:29-31).

"So also, when you shall see all these things, you know that it is near, even at the doors. ... this generation will not pass away until all these things shall take place" (Matt. 24:33-34).

It is possible that there are people alive on the earth today who may see Christ's return. It is not too early to become more familiar with the biblical storyline in the 150 chapters on the end times.

Full Understanding

The Lord promised to raise up people who will understand His end-time plans perfectly (see Jer. 23:20). To understand the end times perfectly means to have a mature understanding of what the Scripture says about the end times.

"The anger of the Lord [His judgments] will not turn back until He has executed ... the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly" (Jer. 23:20).

We can only have mature understanding as we honor, relate to and learn from one another across the different streams in the body of Christ. No one group will have it all, but together, the body of Christ can gain a mature understanding. I believe that only in the collective wisdom of the body of Christ across the nations can we have a full understanding of the end times. We need each other to grow in strength and understanding.

We can be confident that the anger of the Lord against the Antichrist's empire will not be turned back until God has executed and performed all the thoughts and plans of His heart. At that time, God's people will understand perfectly. There is power in knowledge. We don't have to be confused.

By having a robust biblical picture of the unique dynamics of the end times, God's people will be equipped to have right expectations and interpretations of various negative events. By understanding the biblical narrative, God's people will have the tools to process escalating pressures in a way that will help them to thrive spiritually and grow in love and faith. The Lord promised to raise up "people of understanding" who will help others understand the biblical narrative related to the end times.

"And those of the people who understand shall instruct many" (Dan. 11:33a, NKJV).

This passage had a partial fulfillment in the days of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.), but the complete fulfillment will come in the end times.

The promise to be "one of the people of understanding" is available to any believer in Jesus who will search out what He says in the Scriptures. Remember, there are over 150 chapters in the Bible whose main focus is on the generation of the Lord's return.

"Many," or multitudes, will be hungry for answers from God's Word. The Lord's messengers will make the biblical narrative known in diverse ways to "many" in the body of Christ and to the uninstructed millions of unbelievers hungry for understanding. This information is to be used evangelistically in a way that may surprise us. Unbelievers are interested in knowing what the Bible says about the end times. By growing in understanding, we can be a part of the solution instead of adding to the confusion of those who embrace the secular narrative and are overcome with fear, offense, lust or deception.

"When all the signs accelerate at the same time, God's people are to know they are living in the generation of Christ's return."

-Mike Bickle; Director, International House of Prayer, an evangelical mission’s organization based on 24/7 prayer with worship. Mike is also the founder of International House of Prayer University—which includes full-time schools of ministry, music, and media—and is the author of several books.

Understanding the Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation is first about the glory of Jesus (Rev. 1:1). Secondly, it is about future events that He will use in His transition plan to shift history to the age to come. Jesus will only unfold this future plan in partnership with His people. This is our story. It is worth making the effort to understand it. Revelation was written to be understood by everyone.

The story line in Revelation is not about the end of the world, but rather the end of this age. This age refers to the demonic influence that blinds the nations with darkness (Eph. 6:12. 2 Cor. 4:4). Revelation is not a doomsday prophecy about the end of the world. It is a glorious love story of Jesus ushering in a new beginning for the world. The birth of a baby is the end of a pregnancy, but it is mostly about the beginning of a new life. Revelation describes the end of the dark night of Satan’s oppression of human history and the dawning of Jesus’ new day of glory and love.

Three reasons people do not read the book of Revelation are that they have a wrong view of its main story line; they do not understand the structure of the book nor its symbols.

The main theme of Revelation is Jesus’ return to earth to rule all the nations (Rev. 1:5-7).

5 “Jesus Christ…the ruler over the kings of the earth…7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him…and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.”

Revelation is to be interpreted in its plain meaning. The events and numbers are to be understood literally unless the Scripture indicates that they are symbolic (Rev. 1:20; 5:6; 11:8; 12:1, 3, 9; 17:7, 9, 15-18, etc.). For example, the seven lamp stands are symbolic of churches (Rev. 1:20).

The seven main symbols of Revelation:

1) Dragon: Symbolic of Satan (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2)
2) First Beast: Symbolic of the Antichrist (Rev. 13; 14:9-11; 17:3-17; 19:19-21; 20:4, 10)
3) Another Beast: Symbolic of the false prophet; called another beast just once (Rev. 13:11)
4) Harlot Babylon: A global, demonically-inspired religious and economic system (Rev. 17-18)
5) Seven heads: Represent 7 empires that persecuted Israel (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia,
    Greece, Rome, a still future revived Roman Empire (Dan. 7:7; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3-16)
6) Ten Horns: Represent a ten-nation confederation that serves the Antichrist (Rev. 17:12-13)
7) Woman with a Male-child (Jesus): Is the faithful remnant of Israel through history (Rev. 12)

Structure of the Book of Revelation: There are four parts in the structure of Revelation. The fourth part has 5 chronological sections.

Rev. 1   Pt. 1: John’s CALLING to prophesy about the end times. John gives 18 truths about Jesus’ majesty that form the way he prophesied about the end times. These are meant to equip us. It matters because the way that John prophesied is the way the end-time Church will prophesy.

Rev. 2-3 Pt. 2: Jesus gave 7 LETTERS to 7 churches. The instructions Jesus gave to 7 churches in that day about overcoming sin give us practical insight into what we must overcome today. Jesus selected churches to identify the main issues that would challenge the end-time Church.

Rev. 4-5   Pt. 3: Jesus takes the SCROLL containing the earth’s title deed and Jesus’ plan to cleanse it. The scroll in the Father’s hand is His plan to cleanse the earth of evil to prepare the nations for God’s throne to come to earth (Rev. 21:3). One man is worthy (deserving and capable) to take the scroll and execute the plan. By taking the scroll, Jesus accepts the responsibility for this.

Rev. 6-22 Pt. 4: Jesus’ BATTLE PLAN reveals His main storyline of love in the book of Revelation. The battle plan or the main storyline to cleanse the earth and transition it to the age to come is written in the scroll. Jesus breaks the seals of the scroll to open it. As the scroll is unrolled, the judgments written in it are released on earth against Babylon and the Antichrist’s followers.

A more closer look at part 4 from Rev. 6-22, Jesus’ BATTLE PLAN:

Rev. 6 Chronological Section #1: The SEAL JUDGMENTS against the kingdom of darkness.
Rev. 7 Angelic Explanation #1: We receive PROTECTION from judgments and falling away.

Rev. 8-9 Chronological Section #2: The TRUMPET JUDGMENTS against the Antichrist’s empire. Rev. 10-11 Angelic Explanation #2: We receive DIRECTION by a great increase of prophetic ministry.

Rev. 11:15-19 Chronological Section #3: SECOND COMING ROYAL PROCESSION and RAPTURE at the seventh and last trumpet, a terrifying heavenly announcement is made that Jesus will replace all evil leaders on earth in government, economics, etc. It will be a hostile takeover that includes a great war and the execution of the wicked leaders (Rev. 19:19). 5 He (Jesus) shall execute kings…6 He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries. (Ps. 110:5-6) At the sounding of the seventh trumpet (1 Cor. 15:52), the Church will be taken up (rapture). It is the last trumpet in the series of the seven numbered trumpets in Revelation (Rev. 8-9; 10:7; 11:15). At this time, Jesus will begin His royal procession as He raptures the Church and travels across the sky on a cloud to be seen by every eye (Rev. 1:7), then He travels on the land through Edom/ Jordan; (Isa. 63:1-6) destroying His enemies, then into Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives (Zech 14:2-5).

Rev. 12-14 Angelic Explanation #3: The Antichrist’s violent CONFRONTATION against the saints and everything that God calls good, requires that all his governments be replaced. The heavenly announcement to replace all the world’s leaders is so intense that some may ask if there is a less severe way to reform the nations. The angel explains that the Antichrist’s followers have violently confronted God’s people. They refuse to repent. Therefore, they must be replaced.

Rev. 15-16 Chronological Section #4: The BOWL JUDGMENTS destroy evil infrastructures in society.

Rev. 17-18 Angelic Explanation #4: The SEDUCTION by Babylon’s evil religion will permeate and infiltrate all the structures of society, requiring that Babylon be totally destroyed. 8 I (Father) will give You (Jesus) the nations for Your inheritance…9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. (Ps. 2:8–9) David said that the Messiah would dash the nations like a rod of iron dashing clay pottery. Whatever infrastructures in society are built on darkness will be dashed by the bowl judgments. The hundred pound hail stones (Rev. 16:21) will destroy social infrastructures that provide food, water and electricity and the institutions. Jesus will be on the earth marching to Jerusalem as He releases the bowl judgments as Moses did to Pharaoh.

Rev. 19-20 Chronological Section #5: Jesus’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY to Jerusalem (Rev. 19:11-21:8)

Rev. 21–22 Angelic Explanation #5: The RESTORATION of all things (Acts 3:21; Rev. 21:9-22:5). At Jesus’ coming, He will restore all that God originally intended in the Garden of Eden.

I know this is a lot to take in but if you read the book of Revelation once a week and ask God for understanding I know you will be blessed. As it is written Revelation 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 

-This article has been put together by Donnelly Cameron from different teaching on the book of Revelation from Mike Bickle https://mikebickle.org/