Sunday, March 23, 2025 – The title of today’s message as we continue our study of 1 John is, “Understanding the End Time and the Last Days.” Prophecy makes up a large percentage of Scripture, and it’s important for us to do our best to understand it. To appreciate it, we must understand some definitions. That’s the thrust of today’s message: helping us discern the times we’re living in by understanding the terminology and applicable Bible texts. When someone says we’re living in the “end times” or the “last days,” do we understand what is being said? To simplify, the “End Time” timeframe is the umbrella term for the entire end-time events for both the Church and the Nation of Israel. I mention the Church and Israel separately for a reason. They are not the same entity, nor does God have the same plan for them. Israel is God’s chosen people, going way back into the Old Testament, while the Church was established on the Day of Pentecost as defined by Jesus. Each entity has its own “Last Days” associated with it. The Church’s “Last Days” will end at the Rapture when it is taken up to Heaven as the “Bride of Christ.” Israel’s “Last Days” will conclude at the end of the 7-year Tribulation when, as a Nation, they accept Jesus as the Messiah, thus ushering in the Second Coming. One more thing to mention: the “Return of Christ” is one event with two stages or phases. The first phase is the Rapture of the Church, and the second phase is the Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation. There’s so much more we can discuss, but time is limited. Worship and study with us.