August 1: THE TIME OF THE END

He had a little book open in his right hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. Revelation 10:2

In chapter 10, we find a long-anticipated disclosure of a little book! Let us look back to the last chapter of Daniel: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:4,8,9,10

This little book is open! Will you seek to understand its message for our time?

Before the sounding of the last trumpet (Revelation 11:15) the whole world will be provided with the opportunity to gain insight into Daniel’s writings, a major key to understanding Revelation. In a confused world, many have given up on understanding details within the message of salvation. They block from their minds the conditional nature of the offer. John sees the messenger set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, meaning the world. The opening of Daniel’s message is for the entire world to hear. It is especially noteworthy that out of the sea (13:1) and out of the land (13:11) the two beasts arise who will combine their power and influence to unite the world in apostasy and rebellion against God. Ironically, these two beasts will claim allegiance to God and project a convincing façade backed by lies and deception.

The opening of the little book provides the impetus for a worldwide movement. The final message of salvation presented to the world will be a clear one, free of error, confusion, or misinterpretation. Hear Jesus in the Olivet Discourse: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to the nations, and then the end will come. Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)… (Matthew 24:14-15)

Beloved, do not confuse the time of the end with the end of time. The end of time is the day that marks the close of fallen earth’s history. This is the day of Jesus’s triumphant return for His bride. In the Old Testament feasts, it is rehearsed yearly as the Day of Atonement (at-one-ment). The time of the end corresponds to the Feast of Trumpets. In it is the precious opportunity to prepare for the Day of Atonement. Beloved, we are now living in the time of the end, and trumpets are sounding! In fact, there is only one trumpet left to sound: the last one, which will bring the end of time in a single day.

Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality… “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53,54b