THE TIME OF THE END & THE END OF TIME

By Pastor Elias Wankyo

1) THE TIME OF THE END

(a) The Disciples of Jesus knew that there was the time of the end and the end of time that will be associated with the Second Coming of Jesus and the end of the World as indicated in their question to Jesus. Matt. 24:3. Mark 13:3,4. Jesus acknowledged their faith regarding The time of the End and the End of Time by providing signs associated with the time of the end.

(b) The Apostle Paul and some of his contemporaries, initially, believed Jesus was going to come during their lifetime. In 1 Thess. 4:17 Paul included himself by saying "We which are alive and remain shall be caught up... to meet the Lord in the air". The Angels who brought messages regarding the Second Coming of Jesus to Bible writers, and later on to Ellen G. White, presented it with immediacy, as occurring soon with speed, rapidity, and quickly. Why? It is very easy for us human beings to procrastinate or postpone something if it does not require speed and urgency. We forget that we, as humans, are limited with time, and that we are mortal beings whose end of time can come anytime during one's end of present life at death.

Truth is progressive. The Apostle Paul was brought to recognize that Jesus was not coming right away. Hence, in 2Thess.2:3 Paul wrote "Let no man deceive you... that day (of the Coming of Jesus) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed". Here Paul was foretelling the first rise and fall of the Papacy from 538 AD to 1798AD. (During that prophetic period of 1260 days or years True Believers and followers of Christ were persecuted and some were even killed for their faith). Paul was saying after that period believers may begin to anticipate the time of the end that will usher in the Second Coming of Jesus.

(c) The Prophetic Time. I believe the readers of this forum know one of the longest Bible-Prophetic Time in the Bible--The 2300 days or years out of which the said 1260 days/years are truncated.(Daniel 8:14;9:24-27). As we know 1260 days/years came to an end in the year 1798 whilst the 2300 days/years came to an end in 1844. The history and the experience of the Millerite/Advent Movement is prophetically given in Revelation 10:9-10.

In October 22, 1844 the believers expected Jesus to come back to Earth but He did not come. They were bitterly disappointed- -The Great Disappointment of 1844.(I have been to William Miller's Farm and Chapel and the Ascension Rock several times. I have studied about that period in detail. One Time I remember Pastor Mwamukonda while visiting us, he preached to us, the Tanzania Group, at the Ascension Rock. I have also led and officiated a Holy Communion Service to attendees at Miller Chapel). 1844 is a very significant year Historically, Theologically and Prophetically.

(d) The Solemn Message of the Angel: Revelation 10:5,6. The Angel who was giving the message to John immediately lifted his hand to heaven showing the seriousness and solemnity of the message he was about to give John. After Swearing the angel said, very emphatically, "There shall be time no longer". This by interpretation means after the year 1844 there will be NO PROPHETIC TIME PERIOD GIVEN TO GOD'S PEOPLE ANY MORE. Believers who will live after 1844 will live in the Period that Jesus said "Watch and Pray". "I will Come as a thief in the night". etc. A number of people have tried to predict the end of the World like during World War 1 and 2, or the year 2000 and now some are pointing to year 2012. The Word of the angel still stand to this day.

The beginning of The Time of the End, I believe, began immediately following the year 1798 and intensified following the year 1844. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, The Remnant Church, the Last Organized Church during the Time of The End. that Keep the Commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12:17) began officially in 1863 (after 1798 and 1844 respectively) to the present time. It is the Church of the Time of The End.

2) THE CHURCH OF THE TIME OF THE END
The Prophetic Message given very specifically to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Church that Officially was organized soon after the Time of the End began (And The Advent Movement in general)--Revelation 10:11. "Thou must prophesy again before many people. and nations, and tongues, and kings".

With Prophetic and historic accuracy following events of Revelation 10, Revelation 10:11 applies very specifically and exclusively to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Other prophetic messages may include others, among which are the Millerite Movement of Pre and post 1844, with whom we share the Three Angel's Messages. The Great Gospel Commission of Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15,16, as another example, covers the whole Christian Church from the time of Christ to the present, etc. Revelation 10:11 provides very specific Message and Authority to the Church of the Time of the End (SIKU ZA MWISHO), The Seventh-day Adventist Church.

3) THE END OF TIME

In my Bible Studies, I have learned that the expression "The End of Time" (MWISHO WA SIKU) may appropriately be applied to the short period following the final close of human Probation. Revelation 22:10-12 "It is Done" Rev. 16:17; indicates the beginning of the End of Time. As the End of Time begins affairs and events in heaven and earth will go quickly, extremely rapid and in quick succession after Jesus completes His work in heaven as our High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary.

The language used by the Apostle John in Revelation regarding the period of the End Of Time indicates rapidity, quick succession, a very short period of time culminating the end of the World as we know it and the Second Coming of Jesus. Rev. 16:17-2; 19:11-19. In other Bible passages the writers called this period "The Day of the Lord" when God will intervene directly into the human affairs and the things of this World. Joel 2:31 The seven last plagues, the final persecution of the saints, the final preparation for the first phase of the Battle of Armageddon will all be during this time. See also Daniel 12:1-3.

4) THE END

Then the end will come. Revelation 1:7; 6:14-17. Jesus will begin His journey of coming to take us to heaven. I join with you in prayer that God may make us ready for the soon Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

'He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus' - Revelation 22: 20

AMEN