Bible says at the name of Jesus Christ, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. PIXABAY/24090507
People often ask questions about the end times. These questions are largely rooted in biblical prophecy, current events, and Christian teachings on end times.
Are we living in the end times right now? Why hasn’t Jesus returned yet? What signs indicate the end times are approaching? What is so significant about Israel in end time prophecy? The questions are never-ending.
These are questions that Christians had battled with for centuries trying to pinpoint the exact time of the end. Many Bible prophesies can be shown to have been fulfilled. According to the prophetic timeline, the “end times” is a reference to the Church Age and in the Pentecostal realm of understanding, the Church Age is also the age of the Holy Spirit; a time of spiritual harvest of souls into the kingdom of God.
Bible scholars divided biblical history into dispensations where the end of one dispensation marked the beginning of a new dispensation. Signs of the end times are evident both outside and within the Church. But the real question is; do we understand what Jesus is trying to tell us? According to biblical eschatology (which is the study of end times), major signs pointing to the last days are detailed primarily in the New Testament such as Matthew 24; Mark 13; and 2 Timothy 3.
How should we react to all the doomsday predictions out there? False predictions had for years left confusion in many Christians. Toward the end of the century, there was a worldwide speculation of a possible end to human existence. This was triggered by the Y2K prediction of a major global catastrophe. Then there was the 2012 prediction based on the Mayan calendar, the discussion over the appearance of blood moons, the re-gathering of Jews of the diaspora back into the Promised Land and the ongoing preparations for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. From the Christian standpoint, it is clear that at some point in the future, this world is going to end. There’s no doubt about it. This is clearly stated in the Scripture where Peter says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). Jesus is coming soon; like a thief in the night; in the twinkling of an eye. But in the meantime, the gospel must be preached to every nation
In Matthew 24:4-8, Jesus gives us some important clues for discerning the approach of the end times: “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.’”
It must be understood that Jesus was responding to questions raised by his disciples two millennia ago. Their questions had nothing to do with Christianity in the twenty-first century. Their questions had nothing to do with the kingdom of God. They carried a religious and political agenda. But in the midst of confusion, Jesus gave them a panoramic view of the future where His Church will play a major role in the end time prior to his Second Coming.
The destruction of the Temple that Jesus earlier predicted in verse 2 of Matthew 24 shifted the focus of true relationship with God from the temple to Himself. After his resurrection, Jesus directed the focus of his disciples to global evangelism giving them what we call the great commission. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20).
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the apostle Paul writes to Timothy: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
How can we know for certain that we are living in the end times? Jesus predicted what the future would be like. There will be global conflict where nations will rise against each other. There will be an increase in the frequency or severity of earthquakes, famine and pestilence. He warned us that with the emergence of false messiahs many of the elect will be deceived which will result in a great falling away from the faith. Moral and social decline will be on the rise; lawlessness, selfishness, greed, disobedience to parents and a loss of love for God.
With all the evidence around us, what does living in the end times mean for Christians?
Living in the end times should spur us toward building a strong and healthy relationship with God. Daily preparation is a necessity. Since no one knows the time and hour of Christ’s return to earth, all our energy should be channeled toward strengthening our relationship with God. We must guard ourselves against falsehood and deception that come from deceiving spirits.
We must carry out Jesus’ command to preach the gospel of the kingdom to every nation. Our focus should be on the harvest. The truth is Jesus is coming soon. The question is not when? The real question is – are you ready? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour?
In closing, here is a passage from the epistle of Peter: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (1 Peter 3:8-9).
- Pastor Ngatupuna Cork Tararo, Senior Pastor of Ngatangiia AOG Church