Jude 18

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

Commentary

In the last days, the mockers are following their own lusts. This contrast indicates that their mocking is directed at morality, as they pursue their own desires, not God’s. Pornography grew considerably begining the 1960’s, and has exploded in the Internet age.

2 Peter 3:3-4

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Commentary

Again, in the last days we are told of mockers following their own lusts. This will be a common attitude.

Notice the reasoning behind the mocking is there is no fear of the Lord’s return; no fear of judgment.

Of course, if Jesus had already returned, they would be bending their knee before the Lord of Glory.

Luke 21:17

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

Commentary

True Christians, while not perfect, stand as a testimony against those who mock God, and follow their lusts. For this reason, among others, Jesus told us Christians would be hated.

Revelation 6:9-11

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Commentary

Christians through the ages have been hated and killed.

In the United States, the banning of prayer in schools, and taking down displays of the Ten Commandments from public viewing, are symptoms of the hatred of Christians, constrained by laws.

In many parts of the world, this hatred is not constrained, resulting in persecution and martyrdom. This will be widespread in the last days.

These martyrs will cry out to God for His vengance.

Revelation 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Commentary

In the Tribulation, the world will go from hating Christians to actively trying to kill all that do not follow the religion of the Antichrist.

1 Timothy 4:1-4

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Commentary

The Bible prophesied that in the last days there would be a growth in vegetarianism. Much of this has been the influence of eastern religions, and the New Age Movement. These verses tells us this will be forced upon people.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Commentary

The Bible tells us that the Day of the Lord will not come until after there is a falling away from the true faith. When there is little interest in the truth of the Bible, the Antichrist will be revealed and rise to prominence.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Commentary

This is considered a rapture passage. There is a point in time where believers will not die (sleep), but will be changed.

This will happen in an instant. For the moment, rather than focusing on the timing of when this will occur, consider that if all the believers are changed to be incorruptible, with those that previously died, only non-believers will remain on Earth.

This will clear the way for God to pour out His wrath.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Commentary

This is another scripture describing the rapture.

This passage clarifies that it is the ”dead in Christ” that will rise, while living believers will be changed, and forever with the Lord Jesus from that moment on.

The reason this is a comfort for a believer is that believers will be with Jesus when God pours out His wrath on an unbelieving, wicked world.

Luke 21:33-36

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 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

While many people do not see this as a rapture passage, consider that you are to pray that you may be accounted worthy to escape what will come to pass. Notice it does not say worthy to “endure through” but “escape.”

What is a worthy person escaping? A snare that will come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

This passage too, indicates that at some point in the future, the entire earth will be filled with only unbelievers.

Believers are told to watch for this coming day.

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

Jesus says He will return as a thief. This is clearly not at the end of the Tribulation, where every eye will see Him, and be able to count the days from the middle of the Tribulation until His return.

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 Day of the Lord, in which Jesus comes as a thief in the night, will come when the world is proclaiming peace and safety.

True believers can see the Day approaching. Unbelievers will not be able to escape destruction.

Revelation 16:9-11

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Commentary

People will blaspheme God. This series of judgments: great heat, plagues, pains, and sores, will all point to the power of God, yet people will refuse to repent, and will not give Him glory for His power.

Revelation 16:21

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Commentary

People living in middle of the Tribulation will not repent, but will continue to blaspheme God. This will be a recognition of God, and yet because of a hard heart, they will not turn to the Lord.

2 Timothy 3:2-4

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Commentary

In the last days, blasphemy is not the only characteristic that describes mankind.

Many people today exhibit a large portion of these traits. The list given here in the Bible will become more and more predominate the closer we get to the Day of the Lord.

Zechariah 13:1-2

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

Commentary

This is a passage that will come to pass after the tribulation.

The Lord will cut off the names of idols, and remove them from remembrance. For the Lord to need to do this prior to His return, there would have to be widespread idolatry. Idolatry is not just praying to statues or images, but these practices are still seen throughout the world.

Micah 5:10-15

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds: And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities. And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

Commentary

In addition to graven images, the Lord will end witchcraft, palm readers, fortune tellers, and the publishing of horoscopes. He will not allow anything to take credit for His Lordship.

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

Idolatry is mentioned ahead of murder, drug abuse, witchcraft, fornication, and thievery.

In the Tribulation, even while plagues are killing millions, people will not turn from their godless, evil ways and turn to the Lord.

Revelation 19:20

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Commentary

The beast (Antichrist) and the false prophet will deceive people, force them to receive his mark, and worship his image, the ultimate idol of a false god.

Revelation 13:8-15

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Commentary

This passage describes the false prophet being given power to do great wonders, including making fire come down from the sky, so that mankind will see it.

This power, and other miracles, will be used to deceive people into worshipping an image of the Antichrist that appears to live.

Those who do not worship the image will be killed. With the technology that exists today, it is becoming ever easier to track people, and know what they do. If this technology is consolidated in the hands of a tyrant, it could be used to control entire populations.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Commentary

In the Tribulation, people will not want the love of the truth (belief in Jesus), and will instead be deceived into believing a lie. The root of this is a desire to sin, and live an unrighteous life.

This will cause people to be unable to see the signs and lying wonders for what they are.

Matthew 24:23-27

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Commentary

Here, the Bible tells us how Jesus will return to the earth “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west. ” See also Zechariah 14.

People will have a desire in their hearts for the return of Jesus, yet, non-believers will not know the truth in the Bible, and will be easily deceived by people claiming to be Christ.

The Antichrist will back up his claim with “great signs and wonders,” and these will deceive the entire world.

Matthew 7:22-23

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Commentary

When judged by the Lord, these false christs will claim they did good things in Jesus’ name.

Jesus will deny these people professing to be Christians, and state that their deeds are only iniquity.

Revelation 18:23

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Commentary

The deception will be so widespread that merchants, great men of the earth, will be fooled by these sorceries.

Jesus and the Church will have no influence over these great men, to the point where they do not even hear the truth.

Matthew 24:4-5

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Commentary

Jesus warns people that there will be many claiming to be Christ. He says to take heed, indicating that you do not have to be deceived.

2 Peter 2:1-3

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Commentary

The Bible prophesied there will be false prophets and false teachers who will teach damnable heresies. These will include denying the death and resurrection of Jesus.

These will go so far as to equate Jesus (the Way and the Truth, John 14:6) with evil.

You become the product of these false prophets and teachers.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Commentary

These false teachers will not have a difficult time with their false teaching. People will not want to listen to sound doctrine, such as not celebrating fornication, homosexuality, and avoiding bearing false witness.

Instead, people will look for and find teachers who do not teach the truths of the Bible, as these teachers promote “fables.”

Acts 20:29-31

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Commentary

The Apostle Paul prophesied that false teachers would arise without any regard for the people. He predicted that some believers would be drawn toward these false teachers.

Revelation 17

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Commentary

Revelation Chapter 17 describes a “great whore that sitteth upon many waters.”

The leaders of the world would be completely joined to this “whore” to the point the Bible describes this relationship as fornication.

This whore is described as a woman dressed in purple and scarlet, decked in gold, precious stones, and pearls.

This whore is a false religion that has persecuted the saints of God, making martyrs of the believers in Jesus.

This woman is described as a city that sits upon seven mountains, and reigns over the kings of the earth, multitudes, nations, and tongues (languages).

Rome is often advertised as a city upon seven hills. You might ask, “does the Catholic Church have considerable influence in many nations around the world?”

Numbers 19:2-9

This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even. And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even. And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.

Commentary

Israel will rebuild a temple to worship God.

The ceremonies of worship require a red heifer without blemish. This means it cannot have a single black or white hair, nor any flaw.

It is reported that there have only been nine red heifers throughout Jewish history.

Recently a red heifer was declared ineligible, as it had six white hairs. There are other calves considered occasionally. If one is declared eligible, know that the Lord’s return is likely soon.

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Commentary

The Gospel has been spread throughout nearly the entire world.

During the Tribulation, everyone will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Mark 13:10

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Commentary

The Bible has been published in more than 670 languages. Portions of the Bible have been translated in at least another 2,640 languages and dialects.

Revelation 14:6-7

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Commentary

During the Tribulation, nearly every last person will hear the Gospel, and will not be able to use the excuse that they had never heard it.

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Commentary

The Bible tells us that God’s name would be great worldwide.