THE END TIMES
The New Year
started horrifically for many around the world. It is as if nature is going out
of control, unleashing its fury upon the inhabitants of the Earth. "A
strong earthquake of 7.1 magnitude killed at least 126 people in Tibet on
January 7, and left many others trapped as dozens of aftershocks shook the
region of western China and across the border in Nepal."[1] Four major wildfires raged across Los
Angeles County this past week. At least 10 people have died, and Tens of
thousands have been urged to flee. The coastal Palisades fire destroyed whole
neighborhoods. As many as 10,000 structures have been destroyed, including
schools, restaurants, homes, and churches.[2] Towns may have been gone,
but communities remain.
A winter storm blasted several cities from Texas to the
Carolinas as if the fires were insufficient. It was their most
significant winter storm in several years as snow fell from the Rockies to the
East Coast."[3]
During
these devastating fires and winter storms, several lives were lost, and vast
amounts of structural property and natural resources were destroyed.
We heard BIG words like
"Apocalypse, Armageddon, Dooms Day,
End of the World, etc." I wonder whether the journalists or the public who
use such words grasp the meaning of these words. Undoubtedly, the Earth is
spinning out of control, the climate is going wild, and catastrophic events are
happening frequently and with greater intensity than ever before.
Is this the End of the World, or the
End is nearing? What does the Bible say about The End Times and their
actual impact? How could the Bible-believing Christians prepare themselves and
others as we look forward to the second coming of Christ? II Peter 3:10-14.
I.
What does the Bible Say about the End Times?
In the Bible, we
find several verses about the end times or the last days of the Earth. The
study of End-times theology is called "Eschatology.” Many Old and New
Testament passages speak of the prophecies about the End Times using phrases
like “The Day of the Lord, That Day, or The great and dreadful day of
the Lord. How do we read these phrases?
Most people associate the day of the Lord with a period
or a special day that will occur when God's will and purpose for His world and humanity
will be fulfilled. Some believe that the day of the Lord will be longer than a
single day when Christ will reign throughout the world before He cleanses
heaven and Earth in preparation for the eternal state of all humanity."
The
OT prophets talked about the End Times and warned people to prepare themselves
to face God's Judgment Day. This was how the OT prophets described the End
Times: Is 2:12, “The Lord Almighty has a day in
store for all the
proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (they will be humbled)," Is13:6-7," Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will
come like destruction from the Almighty. Because of this, all hands will go
limp, and every heart will melt with fear." Ezk 30:3, "For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near a
day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations." Joel 1:15, Alas, for that day! For the day of the Lord is
near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.” Amos 5:18-20, “Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord!
Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light.”
In the Palisades fire, several
houses were destroyed in one neighborhood, except one. A reporter asked a
neighbor about that house, and he said, “God touched it.” When the reporter
asked about the rest of the houses that were burned up, he said, “God did not
care about us.” Does that mean those in that house were more righteous than the
others? We don’t know. But we do know how God will judge the righteous and the
wicked on Judgment Day.
If you are arrogant and live
according to your terms, you better heed Prophet Malachi’s End Time warning, “The
Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a
furnace. On that day, the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw.
They will be consumed roots, branches, and all.” But if you fear the Lord, you
have nothing to worry.“But for you who fear my
name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And
you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”Malachi
4:1-2
Though the OT prophets prophesied
these prophecies thousands of years ago, we can sense the imminence, nearness, and expectation of the Day of The
Lord in their generation. By entering the Earth for the first time over 2000
years ago, Jesus set the final stage to fulfill the End Time prophecies. Jesus’
first message was, “The time has come, he said, “The Kingdom of God has come
near. Repent and believe the good news.” Mk 1:15.
Towards the End of His ministry, he told His disciples, “Don’t let your hearts be
troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough
room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going
to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you
so you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3. Many believers eagerly
await Christ’s return, but when will he return?
II. What are the Signs of The End Times?
Like us, the disciples of Jesus were
curious to know when Jesus would return, so they asked him privately, Matt
24:3, “Tell us, they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of
your coming and of the End of the age? He told them to watch out for those who
deceive God’s people, false prophets, wars and rumors of wars, unrest among the
nations, famines, Earthquakes, an increase of wickedness, and people’s love
growing cold. Are we seeing all these signs in our time? Yes! But all these are
just the beginning, and the End is yet to come.
He also
said, “Immediately after the distress of those days, “the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the
heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Matthew 24:29. When will Christ return and the
End of the age happens?
III. The Timing of Christ’s Return
Thousands of
years have passed between the OT prophecies and Jesus’ promise of His imminent
return. Naturally, that would allow scoffers to scoff at those anxiously and
expectantly waiting for Christ’s return, asking where this promised return is. That
was the context of Peter’s second letter. Scoffers ridiculed the believers,
saying, “Where is this coming, he promised?
Peter encouraged
his weary followers of Christ, saying, “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.” II Peter 3: 8-9. Then, he says when and how the Lord will return. “But the Day of The
Lord will come like a thief.” As we never know when a thief might break in and
steal, we don’t know when Christ will return to Earth for the second time. This
metaphor is consistent with what Jesus himself said about his return. “However, no one knows the day or hour when
these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.
Only the Father knows.” Matt 24:36
No one knows when Jesus will return,
but we are given several warnings and devastating clues regarding what will
happen before he returns. Jesus may come back when you least expect, so be
alert and ready for his return. All that we see, the wars, the snow storms,
famines, earthquakes, unquenchable fires, and uncontainable evil, are only a
preview of what is to come on that dreadful day. Since everything will be
destroyed that day, Peter asks What kind of people we ought to be? We will
learn about it next week.
