Last Days’ Proofs

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1. Introduction

This lesson explores other proofs of being in the last days: famines, pestilences, earthquakes, heavenly signs and fearful sights. In Jesus’ Last Days Prophecy, we learned that the last days finished in one generation as He promised.

The second chapter in the eschatology series revealed that *False Christs and Prophets* were widespread within forty years of Jesus’s prophecy. Then, in *Wars and Rumours of Wars*, we see that more wars impacting the Jews took place in the first forty years after Christ than at any other time in their history. During this period, Roman armies and other Jewish factions killed a higher proportion of the Jewish population than was killed in the Second World War.

If Jesus’ prophecies were fully fulfilled (as they were), then we must be cautious not to claim that today’s pestilences, famines, and earthquakes are evidence of the last days.

…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:7

In this lesson, you will see exact dates. Carefully calculating these dates required six months and hundreds of hours of research. This involved interpolating between the Macedonian, Hebrew, and Julian calendars. All dates are presented in the Julian calendar and are as accurate as possible—within a few days—because Josephus is not always clear about whether he used the Macedonian or Tyre calendar.

2. Last Days’ Proofs of Famines

One of the last days’ proofs Jesus predicted was famines. Were there famines during the generation Jesus indicated would occur? Considering a biblical generation as either forty or one hundred years, let us see if it was a time marked by increased famine.

A. Caesar Claudius

There was a prolonged famine during Caesar Claudius’ reign (41-54 CE). The famine affected Jerusalem and Judea and spread to Greece and Italy. It extended as far east as India. Agabus prophesied this in late 44-45 CE following Herod Agrippa I’s death in 44 CE.

Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.

Acts 11:28

It was so severe that the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas with funds to help the church in Jerusalem.

Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 11:29-30

B. Jewish Wars

The Jewish Wars caused about 31% of the Jewish population to perish within the first 40 years after Jesus’ prophecy, with an additional 14% dying over the next 60 years. This loss of workers greatly reduced the community’s ability to produce food. The Roman armies would take the Jews’ food sources to supply their troops as they fought the Jews. The resulting shortage of animals and crops led to even more starvation among the Jewish people.

C: Recent History

Based on today’s media, it might seem that the world is starving. However, when examining per capita calorie intake by country, the evidence does not support the claim of worsening food intake. No country is experiencing a decrease in calorie intake, and many developing nations are actually increasing their daily calorie consumption.

From today’s media it would seem that the world is starving. However, looking at calories per capita for each country, the evidence does not support deteriorating food intake. No country is experiencing a declining calorie intake, and many developing countries are increasing their daily calorie intake.

3. Pestilences

Many have said that the COVID-19 pandemic proves we are in the last days. Jesus predicted pestilences would occur within one generation. Were there pestilences during the generation Jesus referred to?

A. Covid-19 is Not a Sign of End Times

The number of deaths from COVID-19 is tiny compared to others since Jesus was on earth. In the second century, the world population remained stagnant at around 178 million for a century, due to the pestilences Jesus prophesied.

B. Pestilence From Italy to India 41 to 54 CE.

Tacitus and Pliny mention a devastating famine and pestilence that spread from Italy to India. It was so severe that the pestilence greatly depopulated Babylon. In the same plague:

“most of the officers of Rome died of this plague.”

Tacitus

C. Rome 65 CE.

Tacitus, Suetonius, Nero, and Orosius referred to the Roman plague of 65 CE, during which 30,000 Romans died.

“The houses were filled with the dead, and the streets with funerals. Neither age, sex, nor condition was exempted from it.

Tacitus

Pliny and Orosius stated that the diseases were extremely deadly.

D. Rome 77 CE

Orosius mentions a plague that struck Rome 12 years later in 77 CE.

E. Vesuvius 79-80 CE

An unprecedented plague emerges after the eruption of Vesuvius, killing 10,000 citizens of Rome daily.

F. Jewish Wars Pestilence

The Jewish wars were among the most perilous times for both Jews and Christians. Wars and Rumours of Wars revealed that the Jewish conflicts claimed the lives of millions in Judea and Samaria during that first generation. Besides those who died, many more were injured, and there weren’t enough people to bury the dead. Corpses filled the rivers, and as a result, the pestilences were horrendous.

Pestilences in the first generation were indeed proof of the Last Days, as Jesus predicted. Josephus mentions the pestilence and famine in Jerusalem during the siege of 70 CE.

Thus did the miseries of Jerusalem grow worse and worse every day; and the seditious were still more irritated by the calamities they were under, even while the famine preyed upon themselves; after it had preyed upon the people. And indeed the multitude of carcasses that lay in heaps one upon another was an horrible sight; and produced a pestilential stench; which was an hindrance to those that would make sallies out of the city, and fight the enemy. But as those were to go in battle array, who had been already used to ten thousand murders, and must tread upon those dead bodies as they marched along, so were not they terrified, nor did they pity men as they marched over them.

Josephus Of the War. Book IV, Ch. 1

G. First 5oo Years

It doesn’t require much research to see that pestilences devastated humanity during the first 500 years. There is no comparison between the suffering caused by COVID-19 and other diseases today and what was experienced then.

H. Recent History

Now that we have seen Jesus’ prediction that the proof of pestilence in the last days would be complete within one generation was correct, we need to see if the epidemics todayuse if they are not worse, then we do not live in the last days. are worse. Beca

Because of access to social media, it is easy to think that diseases are widespread. However, the opposite is true.

Infectious diseases are all on the decline:

Cancer rates have been declining worldwide since 1990.

HIV is declining everywhere except in Russia.

No diseases are more prevalent, with only minor Tuberculosis maintaining its prevalence.

Declining infectious diseases has resulted in child mortality dropping:

Some would expect the world population to continue to increase. However, this is not the case, with the world population growth peaking in 1988:

China’s population is declining rapidly, with the most recent evidence pointing to China having 150 million fewer people than it claims—the same with Russia, whose population is rapidly declining.

By 2052, the only continent still experiencing population growth will be Africa.

I. Health is Much Better Now than in the Past

You may wonder why I say these things. The popular belief is that conditions will worsen as Jesus’s return draws near. However, this futurist view anticipates a future “Great Tribulation,” overlooking that Jesus said the Great Tribulation would occur within one generation and would not happen again. I hold an optimistic view of eschatology. We have a loving Father who desires to bless us, not harm us.

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Ephesians 1:4-5

4. Last Days’ Proofs of Earthquakes

Jesus also prophesied that earthquakes would be the Last Days’ proofs, stating that they would occur within one generation of His Last Days’ Prophecy.

In the first generation after Jesus’ prophecy, there was an unusually high incidence of earthquakes. The New Testament refers to four of them.

A. Earthquake at Jesus’ Death

The Last Days begins at His death with the first earthquake.

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Matthew 27:51-52

We looked at Jesus preaching to those in Hades in the Judgement of God.

B. Earthquake at Jesus’ Resurrection

Three days later, another earthquake hit Jerusalem.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

Matthew 28:2

C. Earthquake at the Start of the Church

A few months later, another earthquake occurred when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples again with boldness.

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31

D. Paul and Silas Were Released from Prison in 49 CE.

Paul and Barnabas were obeying the Macedonian call end up in prison for preaching the gospel to the Philippians.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Acts 16:26

E. Earthquake During Claudius Reign 41-54 CE.

The historian Tacitus refers to the earthquake of Rome in 51 CE.

In 53 CE, another in Apamea, Syria, was so severe that Claudius cancelled tribute to Rome for five years. This tribute amnesty allowed the community to rebuild from Apamea.

There were additional earthquakes in Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, and Samos.

F. Earthquakes During the Reign of Nero 54-68 CE

In 61 CE, a severe earthquake devastated Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis. The quake was so powerful that the inhabitants never rebuilt Colossae (from which we get the Epistle to the Colossians) or Hierapolis.

The towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum sustained considerable damage during the Pompeii earthquake of 62 CE, with some structures also harmed in Naples and Nuceria. Seneca described the death of a flock of 600 sheep, which he attributed to the effects of poisonous gases. The earthquake triggered a tsunami that wrecked 200 ships at Ostia.

G. Earthquakes do Not Provide Any Evidence we Live in the Last Days

Popular rhetoric suggests that earthquakes and other disasters are increasing today, proving that we are living in the last days. However, when Jesus spoke of earthquakes, He was referring specifically to the generation that would live shortly after He gave that prophecy.

Secondly, only three of the top ten events that caused the most deaths from earthquakes in the last 100 years are represented, ranking 8th, 9th, and 10th. The table doesn’t include potential underreporting from the Americas, India, the Pacific Rim, Africa, or Russia before 1700 CE. The 2004 earthquake and tsunami didn’t even make the top 10.

The last three earthquakes, including the 220,000 people killed in the 2004 Indonesian earthquake, do not equal the death toll of the sixth earthquake alone.

Yes, there are natural disasters in our lifetime, but this is more a reflection of technology allowing us to be aware of them than an actual increase in such events.

H. Paul’s Age

However, we also note that Paul limited this to the age in which he was writing his epistles. As we have considered the various things Jesus said would occur within one generation, we have seen creation groaning, especially in the first forty years after the prophecy. But what was the purpose of that groaning and those birth pangs? We find the answer in the preceding verses:

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Romans 8:19

Creation is waiting for us to recognize the Father’s original intention: to raise sons and daughters who are holy and blameless.

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Ephesians 1:4-5

The outworking of being sons and daughters is that we grow from glory to glory:

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

5. Last Days’ Proofs: New Testament Heavenly Signs and Fearful Sights

Recent blood moons have fueled the rhetoric that we are living in the last days. It does not take long to see that there have been far worse signs throughout history than now. For example, the twin volcanic eruptions of Krakatoa in 536 CE and ~540 CE were so severe that the sun was dimmed for five years, global temperatures dropped several degrees, vast numbers of people died worldwide, and wars broke out due to food shortages. This is considered the worst climate change event in history.

However, as with everything else in this series, we need to weigh these signs and fearful sights against Jesus’ Last Days prophecy, which stated that all these things would occur within one generation. There were as many blood moons around the time of Christ as there are now.

The text for signs and fearful sights is from Luke:

And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Luke 21:11

Jesus then speaks about the destruction of Jerusalem, using the same terminology as in Matthew. The description of Jerusalem’s fall and the urgent need to flee the city clearly places this event within the same timeframe as in Matthew—one generation. Once again, we must ask: Were there fearful sights and great signs in the heavens within that generation? The answer is a resounding yes.

A. Jesus Death: The Last Days Begin.

The first sign of the last days is seen when Jesus dies. The first earthquake associated with the last days occurred at the death of Jesus Christ. Along with the earthquake, the tearing of the veil from top to bottom must have been terrifying for the priesthood.

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Matthew 27:51

The first fear the Jewish priesthood would have experienced was that everyone present might die immediately. Only the high priest was permitted to go behind the veil; if anyone else did so, the presence of the Lord would strike them down. An example of this is Uzzah:

Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:6-7

The priesthood tied a rope around the ankle of the high priest so that if he failed to perform his duties precisely according to the letter of the law and died, he could be dragged out. Only the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies; anyone else who entered would likewise perish.

B. “Why Are We Still Alive?”

The next fearful thought would have been, What does this mean? Why are we still alive? The Old Covenant had been in effect since the time of Moses. If they were still alive, then what had happened to the law? Had everything they believed been a lie? Had they been deceived? They were alive because the law—its decrees and requirements—had all been nailed to the cross.

having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Colossians 2:14

Over the next forty days, the Pharisees, lawyers, Sadducees, and priests discussed this sign in detail. Some dismissed it, while others came to their senses and believed in Jesus Christ.

But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

Acts 15:5

C. The Graves Open

What a fearsome sight it must have been when people were raised from the dead and began walking through the streets of Jerusalem.

and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Matthew 27:52

D. Holy Spirit Comes Upon Those in the Upper Room

The next of the fearful sights and heavenly signs providing last-days proof occurred on Pentecost.

• The sound of a mighty rushing wind was heard, followed by
• A multitude heard everyone speaking in their own language.
• Tongues of fire descended upon their heads.
• Appearing to be drunk

At the first Pentecost, God declared that His glory had come to dwell in the temples of the Holy Spirit—believers in Jesus Christ. The shift from a physical building to living persons as God’s temple was the heavenly sign to which Jesus referred in Matthew:

A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

Matthew 16:4

It was the sign Jesus mentioned when He said:

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

John 2:19

The Holy Spirit proclaims that the priesthood rests upon all who believe in Jesus Christ, marked by this sign.

E. Fire Falls

We have just seen that the sign of the priesthood has come upon the 120 disciples. Now we see another sign that further confirms this priesthood of all believers. For the Jewish leaders, their position of honour and power was crucial. They knew well the story of Korah and his followers who rebelled against Moses, when fire fell on the 250 men and consumed them:

They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

Numbers 16:3

They were challenging Moses, who had established the Old Covenant under God’s authority. As a result, God became displeased with them. The earth opened up and swallowed them, and fire consumed them.

Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

Numbers 16:31-32, 35

With this heavenly sign of fire falling on the believers at Pentecost and not consuming them comes a clear statement from God: the era of the law has come to an end. It is now the era of grace, where all believers begin on equal footing in the kingdom of God.

Under the law, fire came down, and they perished. Yet when Jesus died, He preached to those in Hades, the earth had opened, and those who had believed were resurrected.

F. Tongues were a Sign of the Last Day’s Proofs

Tongues were proof they were Living in the Last Days.

Paul teaches that tongues are a heavenly sign to unbelievers, and thus one of the last days’ proofs:

Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers;

1 Corinthians 14:22

Interestingly, “unbelievers” is used sparingly in reference primarily to the Jews of that generation. For example:

He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.”

Mark 9:19

Now, we will look at historical instances of heavenly signs and fearful sights.

6. Last Days’ Proofs as a Sign of the Coming of the Son of Man

As we see in our lesson on the Great Tribulation, there were many signs that occurred:

A. Sign of the Coming of Jesus

The most commonly cited reference regarding the coming of the Son of Man is found in Matthew:

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 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.

Matthew 24:30

The context still pertains to the single generation discussed in Jesus’ Last Days prophecy. It is important to understand that Matthew 24:30 does not refer to Jesus’ final, future return. Instead, it describes a sign, not the actual return. We have a separate, detailed lesson on the theology of Jesus’ advents.

Several omens and terrifying signs occurred between 63 and 70 CE, fulfilling this prophecy.

B. The Son of Man Coming on the Clouds of Heaven

Three historians describe the most unique and terrifying sight around Jerusalem on 21 May 66 CE. Here is Josephus’ account:

On the twenty-first day of the month of Artemisius [Jyar], a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared; I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sunsetting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities

Josephus The Wars of the Jews 6.5.3

Jesus’ appearance in the clouds in 67 CE occurred within one generation, just as He had predicted. Therefore, we cannot use the accounts in Matthew 24 or Luke 21 to support a future appearance of Jesus in the clouds over Jerusalem, since those prophecies have already been fulfilled. I am not saying that Jesus will not come again in a similar manner; rather, I am saying that these particular scriptures cannot be applied to His future return.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:27

C. Sword Over Jerusalem

Josephus describes a meteor that appeared over Jerusalem for an entire year.

Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year.

Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 6.5.3

The sword is the Halley’s Comet of 66 CE, appearing four years before the destruction of Jerusalem.

D. Heifer Gives Birth to a Lamb 8 April, 67 CE

On 8 April, 67 CE, a heifer brings forth a lamb as they walked her to the sacrificial altar:

At the same festival also, a heifer, as she was led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple

Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 6.5.3

Once again, this holds great significance. Many people today seek a red sacrificial heifer, convinced that a future “third” temple cannot be complete without it. However, through this very sign, God is indicating that animal sacrifices are no longer required, because the Lamb of God has already been sacrificed. In God’s perspective, it is an abomination to offer further sacrifices when Jesus has already made the ultimate atoning sacrifice.

“He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
Who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,

Isaiah 66:3

E. The East Gate to the Temple Swings Opens 9 April, 67 CE

Another fascinating sign happens at midnight on 9 April 67 CE:

Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner ³ [court of the] temple, which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night.

Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 6.5.3

This is a direct reference to the Prince coming in through the east gate.

When the prince enters, he shall go in by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.

Ezekiel 46:8

It would seem too far-fetched until we read about an event happening three days later.

F. Sun Shines Within the Temple 3am 9 April, 67 CE

Next, Josephus describes a brilliant light, as bright as the sun, shining within the temple precinct.

Thus also before the Jews’ rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Xanthicus, [Nisan,] and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which lasted for half an hour. This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes, as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it [Destruction of the Temple] Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews

This brightness refers to the glory of the New Covenant replacing the glory of the Old. The glory that appeared in the old temple exists because the glory within you, as temples of the New Covenant, is even more glorious.

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

2 Corinthians 3:7-8

G. Angelic Departure From the Old Covenant Temple

The next in last days’ proofs were the angels preparing for the judgment of Jerusalem.

Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner [court of the temple,] as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, “Let us remove hence.”

Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews

What does this mean? Paul, writing to the Hebrews, makes it clear. He warns the Jews to leave Jerusalem a few years before Titus surrounds it.

Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

Hebrews 13:13-14

The angels depart because the law becomes obsolete once the final sacrifice occurs on 17 July 70 CE. A false prophet then proclaims that God will destroy the Roman army if everyone enters the temple. On 9 August 70 CE, six thousand Jews perish within the temple courts. The following day, Titus sacrifices a pig, and the Romans destroy the temple. Four weeks later, on 8 September 70 CE, the city falls to the Romans.

H. Blood Moon and the Sun Darkened

NASA reports that there was a lunar eclipse on the night of Passover, the same day the siege of Jerusalem began. Then, on 1 September 70 CE, as Jerusalem burned, a full moon glowed red from the city’s fire and smoke. This is a direct fulfilment of one of the seven seals. The Great Day of the Lord is about to occur in just one week. When Jesus appeared over Jerusalem in 66 CE, it was only a sign. He came on the night of the 7th and 8th of September, like a thief in the night, and the city was destroyed.

I. Jesus, Son of Ananus

Beginning in 63 CE, during a period of peace and prosperity in Jerusalem, a largely unpopular prophet of God spoke against the city for four years.

But, what is still more terrible, there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian and a husbandman, who, four years before the war began, and at a time when the city was in very great peace and prosperity, came to that feast whereon it is our custom for everyone to make tabernacles to God in the temple, began on a sudden to cry aloud, “A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the holy house, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, and a voice against this whole people!”

Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews

He continued proclaiming these woes for seven years and two months, enduring repeated beatings, until just before the fall of the city, when he foretold his own death:

This cry of his was the loudest at the festivals; and he continued this ditty for seven years and five months, without growing hoarse, or being tired therewith, until the very time that he saw his presage in earnest fulfilled in our siege, when it ceased; for as he was going round upon the wall, he cried out with his utmost force, “Woe, woe to the city again, and to the people, and to the holy house!” And just as he added at the last, “Woe, woe to myself also!” there came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him, and killed him immediately; and as he was uttering the very same presages he gave up the ghost.

Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews

These were all proof that they were living in the last days.

7. Summary of Last Days’ Proofs

Elsewhere we have seen that Jesus’ Last Days’ Prophecy limited His message to within one generation.

We know that False Christs and Prophets were prevalent during the first forty years, as Jesus prophesied and that false teaching was commonplace, as the apostles warned.

Wars and Rumours of Wars were so prevalent during the first forty years that the Jewish wars killed a higher percentage of Jews than during World War 2.

In this lesson, we find likewise that famines, pestilences, earthquakes, signs and sights were widespread during the first 40 years.

Jesus was not a false prophet. There is no reason to continue the rhetoric of Futurists that we are living in the last days. Depending on your generation’s interpretation, the last days finished 70CE or 130CE. We may be approaching the end of the age, but as the apostles taught, the last days were during the time of the New Testament’s writing.

© Use by Permission Awakening Impact Ministries/ Dr Neville Westerbeek van Eerten D.Miss. BVSc 2026