A persistent question that people ask me is, "Do you think we are living in the end times?" To which I say, yes. I believe the end times began when Christ ascended into heaven. Many of the New Testament writers felt they were living in the end times. Paul certainly thought Christ would return at any moment. In every age Christians have believed that the return of Christ would be in their lifetimes. Yet the Lord tarries.
The follow-up question is usually, "But...with everything going on in the world right now, all of the signs of the fulfillment of prophecy, don't you think Jesus will come soon?" And my answer is, no, or at least, I don't know. I long for the coming of Jesus and hope for it each day. But scripture tells us we cannot know the time of Christ's return. It will, in fact, come on us unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. We are told to long for it, and watch for it. I do those things everyday.
You are, of course, free to disagree with me, but I believe this conversation usually fails to capture the heart of God on this matter. So I respectfully remind all of us of 2 Peter 3:9,
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
This seems to capture what Jesus himself emphasized in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
My understanding is that we have yet to reach all the nations with the gospel. Our task is unfinished. And so the Lord continues to be patient. Let us all refocus on our unfinished task rather than being distracted by signs and wonders. Whether current events are signs of the Lord's return or not I don't know, nor do I think it matters. We still have an unfinished task. Let's go to work.
The follow-up question is usually, "But...with everything going on in the world right now, all of the signs of the fulfillment of prophecy, don't you think Jesus will come soon?" And my answer is, no, or at least, I don't know. I long for the coming of Jesus and hope for it each day. But scripture tells us we cannot know the time of Christ's return. It will, in fact, come on us unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. We are told to long for it, and watch for it. I do those things everyday.
You are, of course, free to disagree with me, but I believe this conversation usually fails to capture the heart of God on this matter. So I respectfully remind all of us of 2 Peter 3:9,
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
This seems to capture what Jesus himself emphasized in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
My understanding is that we have yet to reach all the nations with the gospel. Our task is unfinished. And so the Lord continues to be patient. Let us all refocus on our unfinished task rather than being distracted by signs and wonders. Whether current events are signs of the Lord's return or not I don't know, nor do I think it matters. We still have an unfinished task. Let's go to work.
Comments
It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible. "
Do you agree with this quote?
Do you think the inspired writers were wrong? Does that make them not inspired?
I am not familiar with this Lewis quote so I cannot comment on it responsibly. I believe that he quotes Matthew 24:34, and there is much disagreement over the meaning of the word "generation" which could also mean "race." Was Jesus refering to those standing there, the Jewish race, or all Christians, the Church? I confess that I am not certain, but I must translate scripture through the lens of my belief that Jesus was not wrong, and so he was not refering to those who were standing there with him at that moment. The rest is mystery, and I am content at this point in my life to allow it to be so because there are things in scripture that are not so mysterious to me and require my obedience and action, such as taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.