Keys to Understanding the End Times

Romans 11:1-27

INTRODUCTION: Believers oftentimes have different levels of understanding. Those who have deeper levels of understanding have to be careful not to be proud or arrogant concerning their knowledge, but those who lack such knowledge must not be bashful about where they are and seek to grow. Oftentimes this growth happens by asking the questions you think might be foolish or ignorant. Regardless, we all ought to strive to get a better understanding of sound Bible doctrine.

I. RIGHTLY DIVIDING PEOPLE GROUPS

A. Defining the People Groups (1 Corinthians 10:32)

1. The three groups identified
a. Jews
b. Gentiles
c. The church of God
2. Self-identification
a. A man is Jew or Gentile by natural birth.
b. A man must be born again to be part of the church of God.
c. Once a man is born again, he, to some degree, loses his identity as a Jew or Gentile (Galatians 3:28).

B. Distinguishing the People Groups

1. Historically
a. Gentiles
1.) Genesis 1 – Genesis 12
2.) Adam to Abraham
b. Jews
1.) Genesis 12 – Acts 7
2.) Abraham to Paul
c. The church of God
1.) Acts 8 – Revelation 4
2.) Paul to the end of the church age
2. Prophetically
a. God has a specific prophetic plan for each people group.
b. God’s prophetic plan for each group is found within the passage breakdown as noted above.

II. RIGHTLY DIVIDING PROPHETIC PLANS

A. Consider the Audience

1. In what section of scripture is the prophecy found?
2. Who asked the questions that are getting answered? Who is in the audience when the questions are being answered?

B. Consider the Distinguishing Features

1. Different purposes
a. The last days for the Jews are meant to complete the promise of Daniel 9:24.
b. Those things are not applicable in the lives of those who are born again.
2. Different natures
a. The last days of the church are indicated by spiritual decline (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
b. The last days for the Jews are indicated by physical problems (Matthew 24:29-30).
3. Different features
a. The church age is wrapped up when Christ comes in clouds and calls believers up to meet Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
b. The last days for the Jews are wrapped up when Christ comes in clouds and steps foot on this earth waging war against the enemies of the Jews (Zechariah 14:1-21).

C. Consider the Order Presented

1. The last days of the church are followed by days of tribulation.
2. The last days for the Jews are followed by the implementation of an earthly kingdom.
3. The Book of Revelation is a key book for understanding the proper order for end time events.
a. The church age (Revelation 1-5)
b. The tribulation (Revelation 6-18)
c. The second coming (Revelation 19)
d. The kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6)
e. The great white throne (Revelation 20:7-15)
f. The new heaven and new earth / new Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22)