Are we truly in the End-Times? Are the happenings in our world today signs? What should be the attitude of the Believer in the End-Times?
Both history and science have proven that indeed the world we live in today has existed for Ages, millions or even billions of years in time's perspective, and with the current advancements in technology, humanity's quest to decipher the mystery around the future of the Earth and its inhabitants has been of utmost interest to the scientists and researchers... Though some breakthroughs may have been recorded as regards the past history of the Earth from the investigations by archaeologists; theories around the origin of humanity also exist; however, the matter of what would become of our world and us in the far future remains a grey area, likewise the matter of life after death...
Therefore many turn to spirituality and religion for answers as many world religions today have their various views about the after-life and the end of the world, with some even adding dates to their postulations... Be that as it may, no view regarding the matter is more widely known and accepted than that of Christianity, whose belief is based on what is written in the Bible, especially what was spoken by Jesus Christ from Whom Christianity originated...
Jesus Christ gave the clearest and probably the most detailed prophecy regarding the End-Times as He spoke in specific terms about what the signs would be and what the Believers were to look out for... Below I have highlighted some of these signs which we see happening in our world today, for indeed there is no doubt that we are surely in the End-Times; and though we are not told in the Bible the exact date of the Rapture and the return of Jesus Christ to Earth, we can tell from the points below that the D-Day is getting closer with each passing day...
In no particular order the points below are taken from Matthew Chapter 24 in the New Living Translation of the Bible:
1. "...For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray... And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray." (Verses 5&11): And today we find religious deceptions on the increase more than ever.
2. "...Wars will break out near and far, but don't panic... The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world..." (Verses 6&7): From World Wars 1 & 2, to the present-day wars.
3."...Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me..." (Verse 9): The attacks and persecutions of Christians and Christianity equally on the increase today.
4. "...And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other... Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold..." (Verses 10&12): The reality in our world today - discord and disagreements even within Christianity and the Church as a body; holiness gradually taking the back-seat, and love for God and for others becoming a scarce virtue nowadays.
5. "...A time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, the entire human race will be destroyed. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones..." (Verses 21&22): A time of calamity which may have begun in our time already. Think about the pandemic!
Then the last sign which is yet to be fulfilled we find in the below verse:
"...And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come..." (Verse 14): With the internet and social media today the gospel is spreading like wildfire all over the world, and soon enough even this sign would be satisfied.
I hate to be a bearer of bad news nor a prophet of doom, but the events foretold by Jesus Himself as listed in the above points do not sound like the evils in our world are about to come to an end nor would the evils ever be eradicated; rather it points towards the fact that our world would get even darker and grow worse as the time of His return approaches... However, the Believers would be the light in our fallen world and would bring the hope and peace that many would be seeking for in those perilous times...
Jesus went ahead to admonish His followers on what their attitude should be in expectation of the hard days ahead; and though He was speaking to His first Disciples, thousands of years after we still await the End, and as expected, many today are getting weary from hearing the words "Jesus is coming soon!", regardless, Jesus is surely coming, maybe sooner or later, but the truth remains He will come!...
He said: "...Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever... However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes... You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected. " (Verse 35-37,39,44)...
Therefore, to the Believer, I say: Do not lose faith, do not lose heart! Stand strong and stay on course! Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and keep on drawing strength from the Holy Spirit to endure this race even to the end, for there is indeed a reward awaiting you...
And to someone reading this who has not accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God and yet to make Him the LORD of your life, I invite you to do so today for indeed tomorrow may be too late... Jesus has paid the price with His blood for you to be saved and inherit Eternity with Him, you do not have to pay with yours... Nothing on Earth is worth missing Heaven for... Think about it!!!
Thank you for sharing with me!
I encourage you to read the whole Chapter of Matthew 24.
#JesusChristIsLORD #GODisStillinCharge
