Luke 17:26-27

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Commentary

The last days, just before the return of Jesus, will be characterized as life going on as normal.

This indicates the last days will arrive unexpectedly, and destruction will be swift.

Genesis 6:11-13

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Commentary

The Bible tells us the days of Noah were corrupt. This corruption was widespread.

Note that is says all flesh had corrupted his way. This is another argument for a pre-tribulation rapture, wherein those who believe in Jesus are taken away before the wrath of God falls upon the earth. Since Jesus washes the sin away from his followers, the rapture would leave behind only the corrupt.

Matthew 24:7

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Commentary

The last days will have increasing ethnic conflicts.

The massive ethnic cleansing wars in Africa, and civil wars such as Lebanon, or when Yugoslavia broke apart, are all on a scale and duration unseen before.

Luke 21:10

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Commentary

This is a parallel passage to Matthew 24:7. In addition to ethnic conflicts, there will still be wars between collections of nations. It is these larger wars that pose a risk to the survival of mankind.

Revelation 7:9

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Commentary

This great multitude indicates that the population of the Earth would explode. For this multitude to come from all nations, the Gospel would have to be given worldwide, something that had not happened when Revelation was written.

This passage hints that there will a very large population on the Earth when the last days arrive.

Luke 21:29-32

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Commentary

Nations are often likened to trees. Israel is likened to a fig tree in the Bible. “All the trees” speak of other nations.

This indicates one way of knowing the end days has arrived would be the explosion in the number of nations. These nations would “shoot forth” indicating these new nations would arrive quickly.

Since World War Two, the colonial powers of the world allowed many people and lands the right of self-determination, and to form their own countries. In the last seventy-five years, the number of nations has more than doubled.

2 Peter 3:5-6

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Commentary

Peter prophesied that people would be ignorant of the world-wide flood. It is common today, that if a person believes the Biblical account of the world-wide flood in the days of Noah, they are said to be the ignorant one.

This is in spite of the fossil evidence all over the world, and oral traditions and accounts from multiple dozens of divergent cultures.

James 5:1-3

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Commentary

Men trusting in riches has always been a mistake, but here the Bible indicates that these riches will fail to have value in the last days.

Revelation 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Commentary

Wealth tends to make men foolishly think they can control the world around them because of their riches. No amount of wealth can ensure eternal life, or even an extra week of life in the face of failing health, or violence against them.

Even though the world has the lowest poverty rate in history, rather than give the Lord thanks, more people turn away from Him, thinking they have no need of His provision.

Revelation 18:11-18

And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

Commentary

Near the end of the Tribulation, the Bible gives us an account of the destruction of Babylon the great.

The focus here is on the description of extreme wealth. Keep in mind this is not the description of a single king or ruler, but an entire city.

Merchants and shipmasters weep because this city is the reason for their own wealth, and even existence.

Revelation 9:20-21

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Commentary

During the Tribulation, people will be dying by multiple plagues, yet will still worship everything but the Lord.

Mankind will be infested with murderers, drug abusers, fornicators and adulterers, and thiefs. These all would rather continue in their sins, than repent and turn to the Lord.

Luke 21:34-36

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Commentary

Jesus warns us to avoid excesses, and not to get so caught up in the daily cares that the end of days comes as a surprise.

The end of times will ensnare all those dwelling on the Earth.

We are told that we “may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.” This passage could point to a rapture as the means of escape, as it would remove one from dwelling on the face of the earth, and thus being ensnared.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Commentary

The Bible tells you that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. This cannot speak of Jesus returning at the end of the tribulation, because everyone will be able to count the days, especially when the middle of the tribulation is well defined.

The day of the Lord will come when most of the world thinks that peace and safety will have finally arrived.

The followers of Jesus will be able to see the day of the Lord as it approaches. This is the reason for this prophecy guide.

Revelation 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Commentary

The church in Sardis is told to hold fast unto the teaching of the scriptures, and repent. Watching is what will prevent them being caught unawares, as if a thief has come.