The Final Countdown – Are We Living in the Last Days?

Scripture: Matthew 24:4-8 (NIV)

"Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.’”

Introduction: "Are We There Yet?"

Ever been on a long road trip and kept asking, "Are we there yet?" That's how people feel about Jesus’ return. We've heard for years that we are in the last days, but now, the signs aren’t just coming—they’re screaming at us.

Jesus told us exactly what to look for, and everything is happening right now. If you’re still doubting, let’s take a real-time look at what’s going on in the world today.

We Are at the End of the 6,000 Years!

Scripture: Matthew 24:33 (NIV) "Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door."

Are We Living in the Final Moments of Human History?

If you’re paying attention, you already know something big is coming. The world is changing at a frightening pace—morality is vanishing, chaos is increasing, and deception is at an all-time high. But what if I told you this is all right on schedule?

God doesn’t do random. He works in patterns, and one of the biggest patterns in the Bible revolves around the 7,000-year timeline of Earth.

We are quickly approaching the end of 6,000 years of human history, which means we are about to enter the final 1,000-year reign of Christ—also known as the Millennial Kingdom. But before that happens, the world must go through the Tribulation.

🕰️ God’s Divine Timeline – 7,000 Years of Human History

• 6 days of creation + 1 day of rest = 7 days

• 6,000 years of human rule + 1,000 years of Christ’s rule = 7,000 years

  
  

🔥 The Prophetic Pattern: 1 Day = 1,000 Years

(2 Peter 3:8) – “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

• God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th.

• Humanity has ruled for 6,000 years, and Jesus will rule for 1,000 years during the Millennial Kingdom.

• We are at the end of the 6th day. The Sabbath (rest) is almost here!

  
  

📜 The Biblical Timeline & Where We Are Now

Era	Approximate Years	Significance
Adam to Abraham	2,000 years	Mankind’s beginning
Abraham to Jesus	2,000 years	Israel’s rise & fall
Jesus to Today	2,000 years	The Church Age
Jesus’ 1,000-Year Reign	(Coming Soon)	The 7th day—God’s rest!

⏳ We Are at the Very End of the 6,000 Years!

• We are in the final generation before the 7th "day" (Millennial Kingdom).

• Just like God rested on the 7th day, the Earth will soon experience rest under Jesus’ rule.

• But before that happens, judgment must come first—we are in the last minutes before the Tribulation begins!

  
  

I. Bible Prophecies That Have Already Been Fulfilled

Some say, "Oh, every generation thought they were the last!" But this generation is different. Unlike any other time in history, nearly all the major prophecies about the end times have been fulfilled or are in motion right now.

1. The Rebirth of Israel (1948) – Fulfilled

(Ezekiel 37:21-22) – “I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone... I will make them one nation in the land.”

• Israel was destroyed in 70 AD and miraculously became a nation again in 1948.

• This event had to happen before the end times could begin.

  
  

2. Technology Enabling the Mark of the Beast – In Motion

(Revelation 13:16-17) – “It also forced all people... to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark.”

• Digital currency, microchip implants, and facial recognition tech already exist.

• Governments are pushing for a cashless society and digital IDs.

• China’s social credit system is a preview of global economic control.

  
  

3. Increase of Knowledge & Travel – Fulfilled

(Daniel 12:4) – “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

• 100 years ago, most people traveled on horses. Today, we have airplanes, Artificial Intelligence.

• The internet allows instant access to all human knowledge.

  
  

4. Wars and Rumors of Wars – Happening Now

(Matthew 24:6-7) – “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars... Nation will rise against nation.”

• Russia & Ukraine – Ongoing war with threats of nuclear conflict.

• Israel & Hamas (2023-2024) – Tensions rising, fulfilling prophecy about wars in the Middle East.

• China & Taiwan – Could spark global conflict.

• WWIII? U.S. and NATO involvement in global conflicts is growing.

  
  

5. A Rise in Lawlessness & Moral Decay – Happening Now

(2 Timothy 3:1-5) – “In the last days, people will be lovers of themselves... without self-control, brutal, despisers of good.”

• Crime, violence, and corruption are skyrocketing.

• The world celebrates sin and mocks righteousness.

• Society is pushing to erase God from schools, laws, and culture.

  
  

6. Persecution of Christians – Happening Now

(Matthew 24:9) – “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”

• Christianity is the most persecuted faith in the world today.

• In China, churches are shut down, Bibles are confiscated.

• In Canada, U.S. and Europe, biblical beliefs are attacked in politics, media, and workplaces.

  
  

7. Global Calls for "Peace & Security" – Happening Now

(1 Thessalonians 5:3) – “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly.”

• The UN, world leaders, and even the Pope are pushing for global unity and peace treaties.

• The Bible warns that when people are crying for peace, sudden destruction will come.

  
  

II. Not All Christians Will Be Saved: This part is hard to hear, but it’s the truth.

Jesus Himself Said Many "Christians" Won’t Enter Heaven

(Matthew 7:21-23) – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

• Attending church won’t save you.

• Saying you believe in Jesus won’t save you if you’re not following Him.

• Only those who live a life crucified with Christ will be saved.

  
  

Lukewarm Christianity Won’t Cut It

(Revelation 3:16) – “Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

• Too many "Christians" live like the world and expect Heaven.

• If you’re still living in sin without repentance, you are not saved.

  
  

Denominations & Politics Won’t Save You

Many churches compromise truth for politics or personal gain. The Bible warns about false teachers leading people astray.

(2 Timothy 4:3-4) – “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine... They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

• If your church preaches a watered-down gospel, run.

• If they approve sin to stay popular, it’s false teaching.

  
  

III. What Should We Do? If we are this close to the end, how should we live?

1. Repent & Get Right with God – NOW

(Acts 3:19) – “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.”

• There’s no time for half-hearted Christianity.

• Confess your sins, surrender fully to Jesus.

  
  

2. Stay Watchful & Spiritually Awake

(Luke 21:36) – “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen.”

• If you're not praying and reading the Bible daily, start now.

• Be aware of deception—even in the church.

  
  

3. Spread the Gospel While There’s Still Time

(Mark 16:15) – “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

• People need to hear the truth before it’s too late.

• Share Jesus boldly—your family, friends, and coworkers need to know.

  
  

Conclusion: The Clock is Ticking

We are out of time. Every major prophecy has been fulfilled or is unfolding right now.

If you’re waiting for a sign, THIS IS IT.

Will you be ready when Jesus returns? Or will you be caught off guard?

The choice is yours.

Closing Prayer

"Lord, open our eyes to the truth of Your Word. Strengthen us to stand firm in these last days. Help us be ready for Your return and bold in sharing the Gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen."