We Are Here The Start Of The End

By Dr Alan Roycroft

We are here the Start of the End. We are entering the “End Times” spoken of by Jesus and His prophets, no matter how we try to put the prophecy on hold, it is playing out right in front of us. These end times prophecies clearly identify the last days. When last did you hear an end time message being preached in a church? All we hear these days is prosperity preaching. We need to hear the truth, spoken in God’s word. The end-times prophecy is here and we need to be watchful and ready, awaiting our Lord Jesus’ return. This book will help you understand end-times prophecy and gives a detailed explanation of the end-times prophecy spoken of in the Olivet Discourse and the relevant books of the Bible. After reading the book, you will no longer be confused about the order of the end-times and will easily navigate through the books of Revelation, Daniel, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The author gives his own summary of the events taking place in the world today. This book is not to be missed and is a truthful read.

Senior Pastor Dr Alan Roycroft (D.Th)

Hands and Feet of Jesus Ministries

Website: https://chaplainhfjm.org.za

DR ALAN ROYCROFT is one of the founders of the “Hands and Feet of Jesus Ministries/Chaplaincy”. He was “born again” in 1996 and was ordained as a Pastor in 2000 in the “Fountains of Living Waters Church” in Benoni, South Africa. He holds a Doctorate in Theology (D.TH) and is a Certified Emergency Response Chaplain. He is a Marriage Officer, an ordained Pastor with a Diploma in Phycology, and is also trained as a Trauma Incident Reduction Facilitator (Applied Metapsychology International). He regards himself as a true servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr Alan Roycroft
• Release date: Aug 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005467814

Dr Alan Roycroft

Dr Alan Roycroft is one of the Founders of Hands and Feet of Jesus Ministries/Chaplaincy. He was born again in year 1996 and was ordained a Pastor in year 2000 in “Fountains of Living Waters Church”, Benoni South Africa, he also holds a Doctorate in Theology (D.TH) and is a Certified Emergency Response Chaplains. He is a Marriage officer and an ordained Pastor with a diplomas in phycology .Dr Alan Roycroft is trained as a Trauma incident reduction facilitator (Applied Metapsychology International).He regard himself as a true servant for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Book preview

BE WHATCHFUL

WE ARE HERE

THE START OF THE END

DR ALAN ROYCROFT

Copyright © 2020 Dr Alan Roycroft

Published by Dr Alan Roycroft Publishing at Smashwords

First edition 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Dr Alan Roycroft using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Laura Grey for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

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E-mail: [e-mail]

Dr Alan Roycroft

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All the glory goes to our Lord Jesus and He takes all credit for the content. I pray the Holy Spirit directs your footsteps to fulfil the calling in your life.

Dr Alan Roycroft

Table of Contents

Information Presented for Clarity

Introduction

1. A look at the End Times in Matthew 24

2. An Insight in Parallel Scripture in Matthew and Revelation

3. Exploring the Book of Daniel

4. The Biblical Timeline Rapture

5. The Millennium

6. The Day of the Lord in Scripture

In Closing

Autobiography

Information Presented for Clarity

What is the meaning of BC and AD (B.C. and A.D.)?

It is commonly thought that B.C. stands for before Christ and A.D. stands for after death. This is only half correct. How could the year 1 B.C. have been before Christ and A.D. 1 been after death? B.C. does stand for before Christ. A.D. actually stands for the Latin phrase anno domini, which means in the year of our Lord. The B.C./A.D. dating system is not taught in the Bible. It actually was not fully implemented and accepted until several centuries after Jesus’ death.

It is interesting to note that the purpose of the B.C./A.D. dating system was to make the birth of Jesus Christ the dividing point of world history. However, when the B.C./A.D. system was being calculated, they actually made a mistake in pinpointing the year of Jesus’ birth. Scholars later discovered that Jesus was actually born around 6—4 B.C., not A.D. 1. That is not the crucial issue. The birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ are the turning points in world history. It is fitting, therefore, that Jesus Christ is the separation of old and new. B.C. was before Christ, and since His birth, we have been living in the year of our Lord. Viewing our era as the year of our Lord is appropriate. Philippians 2:10–11 says, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

In recent times, there has been a push to replace the B.C. and A.D. labels with B.C.E and C.E., meaning before common era and common era, respectively. The change is simply one of semantics—that is, AD 100 is the same as 100 CE; all that changes is the label. The advocates of the switch from BC/AD to BCE/CE say that the newer designations are better in that they are devoid of religious connotation and thus prevent offending other cultures and religions who may not see Jesus as Lord. The irony, of course, is that what distinguishes B.C.E from C.E. is still the life and times of Jesus Christ.

Reference to the above article: "What is the meaning of BC and AD (B.C. and A.D.)?" GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/BC-AD.html

Introduction

There has been much confusion around the End Times and the rapture. Many are asking the burning question, Are we in the end times? Through this book, I aim to clear up a few unanswered questions. However, I must state that we have a duty as Christians to align with the Holy Spirit and ask our Lord Jesus to reveal His future timeline to us.

The Holy Bible (also known as the Canon) is the only truth in this world and should be the first book you ever read. In my book, I constantly make reference to scripture to enable you, the reader, to have a layman’s view of the end timeline. Remember that the Holy Bible is the only truth and we need to always go back to scripture for the answers.

28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

As Christians, we must not fear what is to happen in the future. Lift up your heads people for we are to be excited, happy, vigilant and believing about this End Time season and how it will play out. Do not walk in doubt. Instead, be encouraged always that our Lord Jesus is coming back for His bride, the ‘church’. Remember that true believers in Jesus Christ, who have a solid relationship with our Lord and Saviour, will be saved and will live in eternity with our Lord in paradise. What a blessing this will be!

In this book, we will discuss Matthew 24 and look at parallel scriptures in Revelation to enable you to understand God’s greater plan and future for all believers. We must remember that the Lord Jesus is a loving God who wants all men to be saved. He will give us the guidance and passion needed to fulfil His plan. Yes! We are part of God’s plan.

We need to reach people and show them the love of Jesus, and encourage them to be born again and have a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. We have a duty and we need to be part of God’s plan. My passion is people and I am writing this book to help people understand and prepare for the Lord’s coming.

The End Time (also called end times, end of time, end of days, last days and final days) is a future time period described variously in the eschatology of several world religions (both Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic) which teach that world events will reach a final climax.

I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ in 1996 and I have never looked back. I was ordained a pastor in 2000 and at this time, the Lord Jesus spoke to me. He said I would be a pastor in the End Times. I had no idea I would write a book. I’m not an academic. I am actually an electrical engineer by day and a pastor the rest of the time. Correction: I’m a pastor 24/7, appointed and anointed by our Lord Jesus.

My point is that this book did not happen by chance. The Lord is using me to write this book to inspire others. I believe this book is one way of informing His children about what is to come. I’m a child of God who loves the Lord Jesus with all my heart, mind, body and soul. I pray the words in this book will direct people back to God and the Holy Bible, the main compass for God’s children. I am hopeful that all who read this book will be inspired by the Holy Spirit and will align their spirits with God’s Spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ makes us aware of the important scriptures on the End Times. It’s our duty as believers to inform people of what is to come in the future. When last did you hear a preacher preach on the End Time? I’m sure it’s been a while!

The scriptures on the End Times need to echo in our minds. They are addressed in many of the Old Testament books, from Isaiah through to Malachi. They are mentioned in the New Testament, the primary passages on the End Times being Matthew 24:4-44, Mark 13:5-33, Luke 17:20-37, Luke 21:8-36, 1 Thessalonians 4:14 -18, 2 Peter 3:3-12 and the book of Revelation. In this chapter, we will be looking at Matthew 24 and later in the book will look at the other scriptures.

Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are known as the Olivet Discourse or Olivet Prophecy, the name given to the teaching by Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives. Jesus foretold signs of the end of days and warned the people. Jesus said, The precise time, however, will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

When we think of the destruction to come and how things will play out, we need to be fully versed in the truth. Even though we have a manual instructing us of future events and how we should go about fulfilling them, we find ourselves pushing through with life and ignoring the most important tool to help us: the living scriptures, the Word of God.

I encourage you to meditate on the following scripture:

20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:20-27 20 New King James Version (NKJV

The Lord has always given us direction and hope in times of trouble. He will protect His elect and guide us through this difficult season. We must never give up. We must push on and finish the race set before us. As we are strong and courageous, let’s be encouraged by the book of Joshua.

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

I’ve come to learn that God is always calling us to do things we don’t believe we can accomplish on our own. That’s because without Him, we can’t accomplish anything. The Lord is our strength in times of weakness and in difficult times. He calls us to have impossible strength, faith and courage so at the end of the day, we realise that we cannot accomplish or achieve on our own.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

He calls us to step out obediently in faith and trust that He will place a firm path under our feet. Even though it is us who begins the journey, it is the Lord who accomplishes the mighty and powerful work in our life.

Chapter 1

A look at the End Times in Matthew 24

The Olivet Discourse is a biblical passage found in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13 and Luke 21. It is also known as the Little Apocalypse because it includes the use of apocalyptic language, where Jesus warns His followers that they will suffer tribulation and persecution before the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of God.

We will be discussing Matthew 24 and dissecting each verse to enable you to have a clear understanding of the End Times. In the following passages, Jesus gives explicit details about events leading up to and during the time that He will return to earth.

Let’s start! As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jerusalem, the disciples pointed out to Jesus the size and immensity of the Temple as they were in awe of its beauty. Jesus used this opportunity to inform His disciples of the End Times, stating that the Temple would be destroyed to the point that not one stone would be left upon another. This puzzled His disciples!

When His disciples had a private moment with Jesus, they asked him two questions: Tell us, when these things will be? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? Jesus had a unique opportunity to share future events with them. Please read Matthew 24 in its entirety before moving on in the book to understand the stage Jesus was setting.

Matthew 24:1-2

Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple

24 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Matthew 24:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV).

In this passage, Jesus warns His disciples that the destruction of Jerusalem will happen soon. Jesus was referring to the destruction of the Second Temple, which Herod the Great had renovated and expanded around 20 BCE. It became known as Herod’s Temple.

To fully understand what Jesus was referring to regarding the Temple, let’s have a quick history lesson about this passage of scripture. You will have heard about Solomon’s Temple sometime during your life. Well, this was actually the First Temple the Israelites, under King Solomon, built to God. The Temple was dedicated to Yahweh, the God of Israel. It was a holy place where Jewish people would pray and worship God through sacrifices