Amir Tsarfati: Last Days Essentials

To understand where we are on the prophetic timeline, we must recognize when the last days began—and when they will end. As we navigate these final days, what essential truths must believers hold onto? What should we expect as followers of Christ living in this time? Join Amir in his new message, “Last Days Essentials,” as he calls the family of God to not merely survive, but to thrive as we await the Lord’s return!

Last Days Essentials

It’s a wonderful privilege to be here. I consider this church my home church on this island, and I think this is my third or fourth time here—third? Yeah, anyway.

What a great start to this conference we’ve had, with wonderful messages—messages on Israel and on the great apostasy. This afternoon, I want to talk about the essentials in the last days. What are the most important things we as believers need to do, know, grasp, understand, and exercise in these last days?

The title of the message is Last Days Essentials. Let’s pray.

Father, we thank You for Your Word. Your Word is true. We now ask that You will sanctify us by this truth. We thank You and ask that You will speak through Your Word—that You will convict and encourage, and that You will do Your work; that the Word will never return void, but will accomplish what You sent it to do. We thank You and bless You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

So again: Last Days Essentials. Out of curiosity—when did the last days really start? People use the terms “last days” and “end times,” but when did we begin the last days? Can you point to a day when it actually started?

It’s interesting: the term “last days” surfaces many times in the Bible, but the first occurrence is in Genesis 49, when Jacob gave his children a word about the future. He spoke about the Messiah—front and center—concerning the tribe of Judah:

Genesis 49:1, 10
“And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days…’”
“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”

That’s a prophecy about the Messiah: His lineage, His first coming in the flesh, and His second coming when He will rule the world.

In the book of Acts, on the day of Pentecost, Peter referred back to Joel to indicate that the last days had arrived and would continue:

Acts 2:16–17 (cf. Joel 2:28–29)
“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.’”

According to the author of Hebrews, the last days began when the Messiah arrived in His first advent:

Hebrews 1:1–2
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…”

So, we entered the phase called “the last days” from the moment Jesus came in His first advent.

John writes:

1 John 2:18
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know it is the last hour.”

From the moment the Messiah came, counterfeits and deception began—attempts to confuse people about His identity and His deity. Already in the first century there were counterfeit messiahs. John isn’t talking there about the Antichrist, but about many antichrists—some even arising from within the church—denying Jesus’ coming in the flesh and His deity.

From the moment Jesus arrived, end-times prophecies began to be fulfilled, one after another. He came to fulfill the promises of God found in the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets. If you don’t understand the Old Testament, you’ll have a hard time understanding the New, because Jesus didn’t come to start something brand new—He came to fulfill what was written.

Luke 24:27
“Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

Which Scriptures were there in the first century? The Old Testament. Jesus never quoted the New Testament. Every time He quoted Scripture, it was the Old. How can you go to church with only half the Bible and say, “I have a Bible”? If you have only the New Testament and Psalms—I hope you paid half price! He expounded to the disciples on the road to Emmaus the things concerning Himself from all the Scriptures.

People ask me, “How can I evangelize Jewish people using only the Old Testament?” I say, “How did Jesus prove He’s the Messiah? With the Old Testament.” The apostles constantly referenced the prophets—Jesus referenced Daniel; Peter referenced Joel.

Luke 24:44
“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

So we understand when the last days began: when the Messiah arrived.

When will the last days end?
“Days” are a unit of time. Until time as we know it is eradicated in the New Jerusalem, the last days continue. In other words, the last days continue until there are no more days. A day is determined by the sun’s cycle; until that ceases, we’re in the last days.

Revelation 21:22–25
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon… for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light… Its gates shall not be shut…”

Until the New Jerusalem descends and God makes a new heaven and a new earth, we remain in the last days. (Yes, heaven needs renewing too—sin first appeared in heaven when Satan rebelled.) The coming reality is new not only in time but in type. The solar system as we know it won’t be necessary—no sun, moon, or stars. And—sorry, Hawaiians—there will be no sea. But there will be better things!

History is essentially in three parts:

1. From creation to the Messiah’s first coming—God made the worlds and gave promises.
2. From Jesus’ first coming until He makes all things new—the last days.
3. From then on—eternity in the New Jerusalem. No more time.

Now that we’ve established we’re living in the last days—indeed, the very end of them—some questions: What is essential for believers? What should we expect? And what are our plans?

We’re pressing toward the rapture of the church, after which will be seven years of tribulation and a thousand-year millennial kingdom—1,007 years until He makes all things new. You might think, “That’s too long!” But once we’re translated into our heavenly bodies, everything will be different. For the Lord, a thousand years is like a day.

As long as we’re still here, in these fallen bodies—look in the mirror!—we are in a state of decay. Even if you’re 16 or 17—give it a few years!

What is essential for believers in the last days?

1. Stick to the Word.
   Regardless of circumstances—peace or war, famine or plenty, hot or cold, Democrat or Republican—stick to the Word.

Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Don’t put your trust in anything else. God’s Word stands forever. He does not and will not change.

2. Keep reminding yourself of God’s promises.
   In these last days, our minds and souls are under attack. Command your soul, like David: “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” Remember God’s character.

Isaiah 46:9–10
“I am God… declaring the end from the beginning…”

He has a perfect track record. Everything He promised either has been fulfilled, is being fulfilled, or will be fulfilled. No other book devotes a third of its content to future events. He tells the end from the beginning because He’s faithful to His covenant.

Jesus promised:

John 14:1–3
“I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

And:

John 14:15–18
“I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper… the Spirit of truth… He dwells with you and will be in you… I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

The Holy Spirit in us is the down payment of our redemption—our Helper, Comforter, Guide into all truth, and the restraining force within us.

Hebrews 13:5–6
“I will never leave you nor forsake you… The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

3. Occupy with the Father’s business.
   Jesus said:

Luke 2:49
“Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

And in a parable:

Luke 19:13
“Do business till I come.”

Every believer is called to the ministry of reconciliation:

Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…”
2 Corinthians 5:18–20 – “He has given us the ministry of reconciliation… we are ambassadors for Christ…”

We belong to Him. Our citizenship is in heaven; we are His ambassadors here.

Ephesians 4:11–16
God gave leaders to equip the saints for the work of ministry, so the body grows as every part does its share.

4. Spiritual prioritization.

Hebrews 10:24–25
“Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Don’t detach from the church. Isolation breeds confusion and conspiracy. Be a spiritual people, led by the Spirit.

5. Redeem the time.

Ephesians 5:15–16
“Walk circumspectly… redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Every day, every minute is a gift to live for Him.

6. Patience and perseverance.

Psalm 37:7 – “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”
Romans 5:3–4 – Tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope.
Galatians 6:9 – Don’t grow weary while doing good; we shall reap if we don’t lose heart.
James 1:2–3 – Count it all joy; testing produces patience.
2 Peter 3:8–9 – The Lord isn’t slow; He’s longsuffering, not willing that any should perish.

7. Endurance.

Hebrews 10:36 – “You have need of endurance…”
Hebrews 12:1–2 – “Run with endurance… looking unto Jesus…”

We of all people—who know the future—should not be faint-hearted.

8. Discernment.

Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
2 Timothy 2:15 – Rightly divide the word of truth.
James 1:5 – Ask God for wisdom.
1 John 4:1 – Test the spirits; many false prophets have gone out.

Most “Christian” content online is not sound. Be careful.

9. Power (and the armor of God).

Ephesians 6:10–13 – Be strong in the Lord; put on the whole armor of God.
1 John 4:4 – “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

10. Love.
    COVID exposed conditional love. That is not biblical.

John 13:34–35 – Love one another; by this all will know you’re My disciples.
Colossians 3:14 – Love is the bond of perfection.
1 Peter 4:7–8 – The end is at hand; be serious, prayerful, and have fervent love.

11. A sound mind.

Proverbs 16:32 – Rule your spirit.
Ephesians 5:8–10 – Walk as children of light.
2 Timothy 1:6–7 – God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

Beware of sensationalism. Social media rewards it. If you have nothing to say, be quiet.

1 Peter 1:13–16 – Be sober; be holy.

What can believers expect in the last days?

• Deception.
  Jesus’ first warning is always deception. Don’t accept any claim without Scripture.

Romans 3:10–13 – Deceit from outside.
2 Corinthians 11:12–15 – False apostles inside; Satan masquerades as an angel of light.

• Cowardice (in the world—and a warning to us).

Proverbs 28:1 – The righteous are bold as a lion.
Revelation 21:6–8 – The list begins with the cowardly.

• Tribulations (not the Great Tribulation, but trials).
  We were never promised a rose garden here.

2 Timothy 3:1 – Perilous times will come.
Matthew 24:37–39 – As in the days of Noah.

Don’t be dismayed when evil prospers. Our inheritance surpasses anything here. The seven churches (Revelation 2–3) also depict church history. We’re in the era like Laodicea—lukewarm, self-deceived. Read:

Revelation 3:14–16

Outwardly positive; inward spiritual decay—false doctrine abounds.

What are your plans for the last days?
Are you ready?

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 – Watch, stand fast, be brave, be strong; do all in love.
1 Peter 3:15–16 – Sanctify the Lord in your hearts; always be ready to give a defense, with meekness and fear.

Prioritize the lost:

Proverbs 11:30 – He who wins souls is wise.

Be in the world, not of it:

John 17:14–15 – Jesus prayed not to take us out, but to keep us from the evil one.

Guard your heart:

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your first love:

Revelation 2:4

Focus on your heavenly inheritance:

1 Peter 1:3–7

Affliction teaches us:

Psalm 119:71, 75
Isaiah 55:8–9

And remember:

Romans 8:28 – We know all things work together for good to those who love God.

We live in the last days. There are essential things all of us should know and practice regardless of circumstances. Great is our reward; wonderful is our inheritance. We are the most blessed people—knowing to whom we belong, holding His promises even in these evil days.

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word, Your promises, and who You are. Thank You for the warnings and counsel You give us about living in these last days. Remind us daily to be in the Word; to hold on to love, power, and a sound mind; not to fall into sensationalism; not to lose sight of why we’re here.

You who began a good work—be faithful to complete it. If anyone here is afraid or unsure of salvation, convicted today—speak by Your Spirit and transform lives. Tune our hearts to how You want us to live in these last days.

We’re thankful to be privileged to live now. Even Paul longed to see what we see. If he, without seeing these things, could say the dead in Christ will rise and we who are alive and remain will be caught up—how much more should we, having seen Israel’s return and the great apostasy and the birth pangs, comfort and encourage one another that our gathering to You is very soon.

We thank You, we bless You, and we pray all this in the matchless name of the Holy One of Israel—the Lamb of God, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of lords, the King of kings, the Great Shepherd—Yeshua, our salvation. In His name and for His glory we pray. And all God’s people say, “Amen.”