Are We Living in End Times?
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-4
Last days are identified from scripture as the time starting when Christ ascended into heaven and ending when he returns to gather his people and destroy all evil. This is also called the church age. Due to the current natural disasters and evil events in the world, many people think end of time is getting close. Only God knows when Christ will return but we will briefly look at scripture to see the events that occur before the end of time.
You will hear of wars and rumors 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. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24: 6-13). The above verses are prophesies of end times and is revealed in Revelations where it says God’s wrath is brought down on unbelievers. We see these things happening today but are we seeing these things increasing?
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 (2 Timothy 3:1-4) From these verses we can see people are becoming self-centered and have less self-control, resulting in evil and violence. Does it seem violence is increasing in our country, and throughout world?
From revelations it tells about the last days all the way to the end time. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelations 16: 17-20). These verses are from the seventh bowl judgment which is the end of time, when the earth and the heavens are destroyed. Obviously this hasn’t happened, however the events that occur prior to final judgment have been in progress in the last days. But are increasing in occurrence in our days?
How long until the end time? It could be tomorrow, 20 years from now or 100 years from now. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (2 Peter 3:8)
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24: 30-31) Revelations states that unbelievers will realize they are under God’s judgment and they have no relationship to God, therefore it states they will be spiritually and psychologically tormented with fear. But those who walk with the Lord it will be glorious day, it is the day we go home to be with the Lord in our young eternal bodies where life is perfect beyond our wildest dreams!
Today live in expectation of Christ returning and always be ready to leave this earth for your heavenly home. Live today as if Christ was returning, a life pleasing to him. Know that Christ will return, you will either be on the earth or in paradise, and you meet him in air as he takes you to your heavenly home. Live with this thought in your mind and pray for unbelievers that will be in psychological torment beyond belief.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live each day as it were my last. To put you first in my life in all that I do today. Help me to realize this life is fleeting and eternal life in heaven is where I was created to live forever in our presence. Guide me through the Spirit as your servant until my last breath. Thank you for creating me to be in your family for all eternity. In Jesus name, Amen