It's the End of the World… as We Know It
In the early stages of the “pandemic” I released the following prophetic word:
No matter what happens over the next few hours and days—everyone remain calm. This is not the end, but only the end of the world as we know it. This is not the beginning of the tribulation, but it’s the beginning of a severe tribulation for the corrupt elite. This is not when Christ comes to take us home—it’s when Christ is coming to judge advanced evil and establish those who are His and the plan that is His.
Not only is this not the end, but this is barely the beginning of the Kingdom age. In this age the church will learn that the King and His Kingdom come together. It’s not just about getting eternal security, but about receiving and showcasing His way of doing things in every sphere or mountain of society. We’re not yet even comparative two-year-olds in this assignment. The church has been in an arrested development period, brought on by trying to leave the planet before we showcase the Kingdom. We thought that just telling of the King was enough, but the King is inseparable from His Kingdom. “Seek ye first the Kingdom.”
What Do the Scriptures Tell Us?
One of the reasons we continually cry our own version of “Wolf! Wolf!” every time something foreboding seems to be in play is that we have operated under a distorted narrative—that bad things are the sign that Jesus is returning soon. I’ve studied and researched it well and every single generation since Paul the apostle has thought they were in some version of “the end” because every generation has faced serious challenges. This end-times mindset (I call it end-times-itis) has always existed. In all of my research I haven’t found even one generation that was free of it.
For the last two thousand years, every follower of Jesus has been able to hear or read Revelation 22:12 that says, “Behold, I am coming soon” (ESV), and many have thus justified their “end-times-itis.” They then add 2 Peter 3:12, “anticipate and hasten the coming of the Lord,” as their inspiration. You may think, “How could they be wrong? It’s in the Bible. It’s in the Word.”
Also in the Word were the wise words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 beginning with, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (NIV). It goes on to further explain itself, “a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot”—and then on and on. Can you imagine building a casket for a newborn before they ever live their life just because it’s “in the Word”? Can you imagine pulling up a plant right after planting it in order to fulfill Scripture?
The most important thing to know and the hardest thing to know of every prophetic possibility of Scripture is the “when?” The error of every generation has been to try to make the most advanced end-time scenarios of the Bible fit into their day. Beware of that now. Beware of that tomorrow.
The Lord has provided two key helps to assist us with the “when” of things. First is the Holy Spirit. Jesus plainly told us in John 16:13 that He, the Holy Spirit, would show us “things to come.” This acknowledges that timing would not come from studying the Bible alone. We need the Holy Spirit to reveal timing. Second, Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets” (NIV). This is how we are to process our understanding of “when.”
If you’ve been following reputable prophets during this season, you’ll note they’re not prophesying present-day challenges as the end. Yes, there are always false prophets, fake prophets, and sometimes just scared communicators who pass a false narrative and timing on to others. Some of them sell thousands and even millions of books. However, only the Holy Spirit and God-sanctioned prophets are going to lead you into the proper Kingdom narrative of the day. His Holy Spirit and His prophets will always release hope. That is your guardrail for recognizing truth.
No man, including Jesus, actually knows anything other than the general season of His return (see Matt. 24:36). His instruction for us was not, “Speculate until I come.” It was “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13 KJV). When we combine that instruction with the aforementioned 2 Peter 3:12, “anticipate and hasten the coming of the Lord,” we can deduce that us not properly “occupying” could actually lead to His delay in coming. If we can hasten His coming, then it’s logical or even self-evident that we can delay His coming.
It’s important to remember these three Scriptures—their fulfillment precedes His coming:
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:1-3).
Whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21).
When we read these Scriptures together we understand that one day the whole earth will know (be fully aware and have access to) the truth—not just that Jesus saves, but all of the other aspects of His glory, His goodness, kindness, and love. The entire world (as the waters cover the sea—completely) will know of the glory or beauty and splendor of His ways in every sphere of society. Isaiah 60 makes it clear that He is not first rapturing us or in any way removing or hiding us first, but that we will be the carriers of this multidimensional expression of the glory and goodness of God. We will shine in the seven mountains of culture. We will shine in media, education, government, arts and entertainment, economy, family, as well as in religion. There will be so much light on us that nations will be transformed and the leaders of nations will be sustained by the bright light that we carry and function with in the midst of darkness.
This Acts passage helps us to not prematurely expect Jesus’ return. Heaven is going to hang on to Jesus until certain things have been accomplished on earth. It’s not about a date—it’s about a finished assignment. What is that assignment? The assignment is the restoration of all things spoken of by His servants the prophets since the world began—not just the self-proclaimed prophets of the day who find “the end” at every turn or every curious moon phenomenon, but all the prophets of old who addressed end-times matters. Isaiah and Habakkuk were two prophets who were clearest on what had to happen first. We are accelerating toward Habakkuk 2:14 and Isaiah 60. Again, this is not the end—just the end of the world as we know it.
Johnny Enlow