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Introduction
The bible contains 1189 chapters, most of which describe events that took place in history. But approximately 200 chapters contain significant prophecies about future events that may be just about to take place. These chapters, and the verses they contain, are like pieces in a complex puzzle that depict what the world is coming to. I like to call it the End Time Puzzle.
The End Time Puzzle is much more complex than a two-dimensional jigsaw like in the banner above. First, there is no box with the complete picture to guide us. Second, we have only been given the pieces we need to know ahead of time. Third, there are many pieces, and they are all mixed up with pieces that relate to the past. And fourth, the meaning of some pieces will only become clear as events unfold. When Jesus encouraged us to observe the signs of the times, he compared it to forecasting the weather (Matthew 16:1-3). Imagine how complex a task it is to accurately predict the weather, and how much data meteorologists have to keep track of all the time. But just as the weather forecast for a given day gets more accurate as you get closer to it, so the End Time Puzzle is getting easier as the second coming of Jesus draws ever nearer. So we have an advantage over previous generations who pondered this great and mysterious puzzle.
No-one can claim to have completely solved the End Time Puzzle. But imagine yourself in a large room full of tables, and the End Time Puzzle as a jigsaw. Around each table sits an individual or a team, each making sincere attempts to piece together identical sets of the same puzzle. This is not actually a competition, so it is not cheating to wander around the room, looking at each table. As you do so, you will see many different results. Some tables may have focussed on the edge pieces, trying to complete the outer frame of the puzzle. Others may have focussed on interior parts of the puzzle. When you return to the puzzle on your own table, it is okay to selectively build upon results you have seen on other tables.
If it were possible to complete the End Time Puzzle, what would it then look like? I imagine it looking like a timeline of all the events in the correct order. For the most part they would be undated, except where the bible gives us relative times in relation to key events. Perhaps a single timeline, like the one below, would be too cumbersome if it included every detail. Additional timelines, looking at the same events but from different perspectives, might be helpful. As you look at any particular event on the timeline, you might want to be able to zoom in on related topics, a bit like zooming in on Google Earth. And you would want to know how ancient place names relate to a modern map.
This website is an offering of my table to public view, without any expectation that you will necessarily agree with my conclusions. It is also an attempt to lay out, examine, and tag all the pieces in such a way that helps you as you work at your table.
The End Time Puzzle is not just a game. Two thousand years ago, God's people neglected the signs of the times, and failed to recognise the day of God's visitation, with catastrophic consequences for their nation. Next time round, Jesus warned us that he will come like a thief in the night. In other words, his coming, and the events that surround it, will take most people by surprise, and they will suffer loss. But for those who anticipate it, the bible calls the second coming our blessed hope. May it be that way for you!
In 1 Peter 1:10-12, the bible says, "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory. They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things angels long to catch a glimpse of." (NET Bible)
The End Time Bible Commentary is for you if you share the longings of the prophets and the angels and wish to participate in solving the End Time Puzzle.
The End Time Puzzle is much more complex than a two-dimensional jigsaw like in the banner above. First, there is no box with the complete picture to guide us. Second, we have only been given the pieces we need to know ahead of time. Third, there are many pieces, and they are all mixed up with pieces that relate to the past. And fourth, the meaning of some pieces will only become clear as events unfold. When Jesus encouraged us to observe the signs of the times, he compared it to forecasting the weather (Matthew 16:1-3). Imagine how complex a task it is to accurately predict the weather, and how much data meteorologists have to keep track of all the time. But just as the weather forecast for a given day gets more accurate as you get closer to it, so the End Time Puzzle is getting easier as the second coming of Jesus draws ever nearer. So we have an advantage over previous generations who pondered this great and mysterious puzzle.
No-one can claim to have completely solved the End Time Puzzle. But imagine yourself in a large room full of tables, and the End Time Puzzle as a jigsaw. Around each table sits an individual or a team, each making sincere attempts to piece together identical sets of the same puzzle. This is not actually a competition, so it is not cheating to wander around the room, looking at each table. As you do so, you will see many different results. Some tables may have focussed on the edge pieces, trying to complete the outer frame of the puzzle. Others may have focussed on interior parts of the puzzle. When you return to the puzzle on your own table, it is okay to selectively build upon results you have seen on other tables.
If it were possible to complete the End Time Puzzle, what would it then look like? I imagine it looking like a timeline of all the events in the correct order. For the most part they would be undated, except where the bible gives us relative times in relation to key events. Perhaps a single timeline, like the one below, would be too cumbersome if it included every detail. Additional timelines, looking at the same events but from different perspectives, might be helpful. As you look at any particular event on the timeline, you might want to be able to zoom in on related topics, a bit like zooming in on Google Earth. And you would want to know how ancient place names relate to a modern map.
This website is an offering of my table to public view, without any expectation that you will necessarily agree with my conclusions. It is also an attempt to lay out, examine, and tag all the pieces in such a way that helps you as you work at your table.
The End Time Puzzle is not just a game. Two thousand years ago, God's people neglected the signs of the times, and failed to recognise the day of God's visitation, with catastrophic consequences for their nation. Next time round, Jesus warned us that he will come like a thief in the night. In other words, his coming, and the events that surround it, will take most people by surprise, and they will suffer loss. But for those who anticipate it, the bible calls the second coming our blessed hope. May it be that way for you!
In 1 Peter 1:10-12, the bible says, "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory. They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things angels long to catch a glimpse of." (NET Bible)
The End Time Bible Commentary is for you if you share the longings of the prophets and the angels and wish to participate in solving the End Time Puzzle.
