Question #1… When will the “Last Days” before Jesus returns begin?

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this (Pentecost event) is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…”

Answer: The “Last Days” began at Pentecost, after Jesus ascended into heaven.  It includes the time from Pentecost until Christ returns.

Question #2… When will “The Tribulation” begin?

Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Answer: The Tribulation had already begun when the Apostle John wrote Revelation.  A brief examination of history show that Christians have been persecuted ever since Jesus’ day… and will continue until He returns.

Question #3… What is the sign of Jesus’ return?

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Answer: The return of Jesus is what ends the tribulation.  THE actual sign of Jesus’ return IS His actual return.

Question #4… Who is the Anti-Christ?

1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.  (Note: John writes the “Last Hour” {Last days before Jesus’ return} had already begun!)

1 John 2:22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3 Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

2 John 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.  Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Answer: “The Antichrist” is manifested in many people through the ages.  Thus the spirit (Attitude, conduct, belief) that is indicative of “Antichrist.”  The “fatal headwound” refers to “anti-christs” who follow after one another throughout history:  Such as Nero was followed eventually by Hitler who was followed by Stalin who was followed by Idi Amin who was followed by Pol Pot who was followed by Saddam Heussein who was followed by Kim Il (Along with many who are of much lesser importance in the world’s scheme)… ad infinitum until Jesus returns.

Question #5… What will happen that brings about the return of Jesus?

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come,unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Answer: Neither the Rapture nor the Second Coming of Christ will happen until “The man of Lawlessness” is revealed and sits in the Temple proclaiming himself to be god.  Along with this, once the Gospel is proclaimed throughout the whole world, THEN Jesus will return.

Question #6… How then should Christians live given the uncertainty of when Jesus will return?

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Answer: Christians should be praying… and living every moment of their lives as holy and godly.