wash n' word
Menu
are these the last days?
Are these the last days?
If you ask 100 people how they feel about the stability of this world; About its governments, the environment, the Earth itself, you might find there seems to be a sense of looming and immanent disaster. There is a dark a cloud that hangs over the head of this nation, even the world.
Between the media, religious prophecies, Hollywood movies and documentaries, the children and kids of today are inundated with a sense of hopelessness. If the children are our future, and they see little hope of the future, then what does our future hold?
Many believe that we are on borrowed time. They believe that there is an impending collapse that, depending on who you ask, is of biblical or scientific proportions (maybe both). If this is true (as this author believes), then we need to be looking for signs that society is breaking down. Since this is a Christian article, I will be approaching this subject with a biblical outlook.
That said; let’s look at some impending cultural signs of societal collapse from past examples. One of the first Signs of approaching collapse…
Malcolm Muggeridge, for years the editor of Punch magazine in Britain, and now a prominent Christian spokesman wrote this…
So the final conclusion would seem to be that whereas other civilizations had been brought down by attacks of barbarians from without, ours had the unique distinction of training its own destroyers at its own educational institutions and providing them with facilities for propagating their destructive ideology far and wide, all at the public expense. Thus did Western man decide to abolish himself, creating his own boredom out of his own affluence, his own vulnerability out of his own strength, his own impotence out of his own erotomania; himself blowing the trumpet that brought the walls of his own city tumbling down. And having convinced himself that he was too numerous, labored with pill and scalpel and syringe to make himself fewer, until at last, having educated himself into imbecility and polluted and drugged himself into stupefaction, he keeled over, a weary, battered old brontosaurus, and became extinct.
So we ask the question again, “Are these the last days?” It is so easily and hastily normal to say yes. I can point to scriptures that would have you sure of its affirmative response. Then again so could most every other generation before us.
To be technical, The last days began at the first coming of Jesus. The sooner we realize that the last days do not refer to the year or two leading up to Christ’s return, the sooner our perspective on the scriptures can be cleared up. Consider the following verses…
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
This scripture clearly speaks to a specific time. If this is what the world looks like at the end of days, then surely we are there right? I could cite examples of human abominations and acts of atrocities done to others, but you can read the paper as well as I can.
But I will urge you to read your Bibles with care. If the last days are the time span between Jesus’ coming and Jesus’ coming back, then Paul is speaking of a cycle.
In other words, we cannot automatically assume that the evidence of certain signs signifies the last days, not exclusively anyway. There are cycles that have been going on throughout history that would, at the time, convince anyone living then, that surely the end was near. This cycle was seen in...
Someone might say “but what about Matthew 24?” What about signs like the return of the Jews to Israel? What about the amazing, scientifically documented increase in natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc?
What about the possible imminent rebuilding of a temple in Jerusalem? What about these strange stories that are widely circulated these days of demonic manifestations, and of angelic manifestations -- the appearances of angel messengers to various people from place to place? What about…?"
Regardless of this being the final last days or not, one thing is for sure, time marches on.
Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
So yes with each generation that goes by, each cycle that is repeated, we move closer. As for the Jews, no doubt 1948 was an historical event. Surely the Lord was coming back then right? But even though the Bible says Jesus’ return will not happen until after that event, the Bible also offers no time frame after that. What about natural disaster signs?
These too happen in cycles. 79 A. D., The volcano Vesuvius blew up and buried Pompeii in ashes, this was a very similar situation to what happened in the state of Washington when Mt. St. Helens blew up, and buried a great part of the country in ash.
There was the great earthquake of 1906, but also about 1500 BC, an earthquake shook the Minoan civilization. There was the Mediterranean Earthquake: 1250 BC. Loma Caldera Volcano Erupts: AD 595. The earthquake in the Caribbean: 1672. On June 7, 1692 a massive tsunami in Pacific. The list goes on. The events of the signs in Matthew 24 have been repeating themselves for centuries.
Many stories are told of visitations from beyond. Hitchhikers being picked up the disappearing. Ghosts, aliens, etc.
At the time of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt angels appeared frequently to people. Again in the days of Elijah and Elisha there were both demonic and angelic manifestations.
Again at the coming of Christ and during the apostolic period there are several recorded instances of the appearance of angelic beings.
These manifestations seems to fade and then come back again. Like natural disasters and other “signs of the end times”, they manifest in cycles.
Solomon had it right,
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
So are we closer to Christ’s return now then we were when we started this message, of course. Can it be centuries away? You doubt it don’t you? So did the first century Christians, 21 centuries ago.
Making things even more difficult are the dual, and sometimes triple, fulfillment of the prophecies laid out in Revelations.
One of the most prominent signs biblical scholars point to as evidence that the end times are surely upon us is this scripture…
Matthew 24:15
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand--
Simply put, when evil sits in the temple of the most Holy God, the end is surely upon us. Here is an example of dual fulfillment. While surely this scripture points to a day when the Anti-Christ sits in the temple in Jerusalem in the end days, it has been fulfilled several other times by the likes of Epiphanies, Vespasian and Nero.
So, why this writing today? Why this message? Why was I inspired at 3:30 AM to write this? To be remind of the question,
Where is your focus today?
I believe it is harmful to the witness and mission of the Christian to stockpile guns, food and supplies and head to mountains to wait the coming disaster.
First of all, if majority eschatology ensues, (that is, the favored pre-trib rapture) then all that preparation is useless. But if there is a time of tribulation that we must endure, then our mission, our focus, is always going to be the here and the now. Always going to be about the spread of the gospel. So is it? I ask again, Where is your focus?
There is no doubt in my mind, that we are in one of those cycles today. But is it the final one? Most would say yes, but so did most in the other cycles that have taken place as well. I would sum it up by giving you this…(and please read it carefully and think about it)
The warnings Jesus gave were to prepare us, not for us to prepare.
The warnings serve to align our focus, not to focus on our alignment. Because these things are coming, there is but one preparation and that is to ask yourself, “is my lamp filled with oil?”
Matthew 25:10
"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
So what are we do if we are indeed in one of these cycles? I believe 1 Peter 4:7-11 gives us practical and tangible instruction regardless of the age in which we currently live, take a look and we are done…
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
V. 7—the end was near even then. So what is the instruction? Be clear minded and self controlled. This refers mainly to drugs and alcohol, but anything that clouds the mind. Mark Twain said, “You can't depend on your eyes when your mind is out of focus.”
Don’t alter the mind, think rationally. Don’t chase after every whim of imagination. Don’t Focus on the hocus pocus. We can easily be swept up. What then will you be praying for? A clear mind leads to clear prayers? What is a prayer but the reciting of the words of the Holy Spirit back to God.
V.8-9—love covers over all sins. The greatest example of love (Jesus’ sacrifice) covered them all. Not just loving others but serving. Show love and hospitality.
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
James F. Byrnes
V.10. Use your gift!
Romans 1:11
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--
People are scared we need to be a rock for them. If the captain of airplane comes out of cockpit screaming and frantically spouting orders, what would that do to you as a passenger? But if the same captain came out, under the same circumstances and did so with calmness and assurance, well, that would go so much further. If you are not sure your gift, focus on your passion, which will lead to gift.
V.11--As unto the Lord--
“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do no pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks.”
Phillips Brooks
In every cycle there is opportunity. If this is the last cycle, if it ends with a trumpet blast, then great! And if it is almost over, what are you doing with your last days on earth? I leave you with this…
Luke 19:13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Occupy till I come! What better way to end a writing about the last days than those words of Jesus.
Be Blessed.
If you ask 100 people how they feel about the stability of this world; About its governments, the environment, the Earth itself, you might find there seems to be a sense of looming and immanent disaster. There is a dark a cloud that hangs over the head of this nation, even the world.
Between the media, religious prophecies, Hollywood movies and documentaries, the children and kids of today are inundated with a sense of hopelessness. If the children are our future, and they see little hope of the future, then what does our future hold?
Many believe that we are on borrowed time. They believe that there is an impending collapse that, depending on who you ask, is of biblical or scientific proportions (maybe both). If this is true (as this author believes), then we need to be looking for signs that society is breaking down. Since this is a Christian article, I will be approaching this subject with a biblical outlook.
That said; let’s look at some impending cultural signs of societal collapse from past examples. One of the first Signs of approaching collapse…
- Excessive breakdown of law and order. Since it is law and order that establishes civilization, the breakdown of these is surely a prominent sign of impending disaster. We have seen a great rise in the lack of respect our law enforcement officers are receiving.
- Tax abuse and excessiveness. The need for more at the expense of the greater good (greater good being the original reason taxes were instituted).
- Excessive interest in eroticism. Widespread immorality and a focus on sexual themes. While this is a constant in all societies of all time, the internet has taken this perversion to its pinnacle.
- Excessive need for excitement. it starts out with TV and mushrooms out. The Rome gladiators exemplified the costliest measure of excitement; pleasure at the cost of human lives. The height of excitement at the highest cost. Our simulated and virtual “coliseum battles” are shown on TV and those violent acts are being played out more and more.
- Excessive and pervasive boredom. This sense of emptiness and meaninglessness is the result of a materially driven mindset. Never before has a society had so much to do and yet seems so disconnected.
Malcolm Muggeridge, for years the editor of Punch magazine in Britain, and now a prominent Christian spokesman wrote this…
So the final conclusion would seem to be that whereas other civilizations had been brought down by attacks of barbarians from without, ours had the unique distinction of training its own destroyers at its own educational institutions and providing them with facilities for propagating their destructive ideology far and wide, all at the public expense. Thus did Western man decide to abolish himself, creating his own boredom out of his own affluence, his own vulnerability out of his own strength, his own impotence out of his own erotomania; himself blowing the trumpet that brought the walls of his own city tumbling down. And having convinced himself that he was too numerous, labored with pill and scalpel and syringe to make himself fewer, until at last, having educated himself into imbecility and polluted and drugged himself into stupefaction, he keeled over, a weary, battered old brontosaurus, and became extinct.
So we ask the question again, “Are these the last days?” It is so easily and hastily normal to say yes. I can point to scriptures that would have you sure of its affirmative response. Then again so could most every other generation before us.
To be technical, The last days began at the first coming of Jesus. The sooner we realize that the last days do not refer to the year or two leading up to Christ’s return, the sooner our perspective on the scriptures can be cleared up. Consider the following verses…
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
This scripture clearly speaks to a specific time. If this is what the world looks like at the end of days, then surely we are there right? I could cite examples of human abominations and acts of atrocities done to others, but you can read the paper as well as I can.
But I will urge you to read your Bibles with care. If the last days are the time span between Jesus’ coming and Jesus’ coming back, then Paul is speaking of a cycle.
In other words, we cannot automatically assume that the evidence of certain signs signifies the last days, not exclusively anyway. There are cycles that have been going on throughout history that would, at the time, convince anyone living then, that surely the end was near. This cycle was seen in...
- Roman Empire in the 5th century…
- The Crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries…
- Again in the 13th century, when the Mongol hordes swept out of Asia and came battering up against the capitals of Europe.
- Again in the 15th century, as the Turks assaulted the citadels of civilization in Europe;
- And in the 16th century during the days of the Reformation.
- There was the lawlessness of the old west
- Some light point to the roaring 1920’s
- Or the breakdown of morality in the 1960’s
- There is the decline Europe.
Someone might say “but what about Matthew 24?” What about signs like the return of the Jews to Israel? What about the amazing, scientifically documented increase in natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc?
What about the possible imminent rebuilding of a temple in Jerusalem? What about these strange stories that are widely circulated these days of demonic manifestations, and of angelic manifestations -- the appearances of angel messengers to various people from place to place? What about…?"
Regardless of this being the final last days or not, one thing is for sure, time marches on.
Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
So yes with each generation that goes by, each cycle that is repeated, we move closer. As for the Jews, no doubt 1948 was an historical event. Surely the Lord was coming back then right? But even though the Bible says Jesus’ return will not happen until after that event, the Bible also offers no time frame after that. What about natural disaster signs?
- Natural disasters--again the Bible offers no time frame of the end, even after these disasters show up on the scene.
These too happen in cycles. 79 A. D., The volcano Vesuvius blew up and buried Pompeii in ashes, this was a very similar situation to what happened in the state of Washington when Mt. St. Helens blew up, and buried a great part of the country in ash.
There was the great earthquake of 1906, but also about 1500 BC, an earthquake shook the Minoan civilization. There was the Mediterranean Earthquake: 1250 BC. Loma Caldera Volcano Erupts: AD 595. The earthquake in the Caribbean: 1672. On June 7, 1692 a massive tsunami in Pacific. The list goes on. The events of the signs in Matthew 24 have been repeating themselves for centuries.
- Demonic and Angelic manifestations
Many stories are told of visitations from beyond. Hitchhikers being picked up the disappearing. Ghosts, aliens, etc.
At the time of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt angels appeared frequently to people. Again in the days of Elijah and Elisha there were both demonic and angelic manifestations.
Again at the coming of Christ and during the apostolic period there are several recorded instances of the appearance of angelic beings.
These manifestations seems to fade and then come back again. Like natural disasters and other “signs of the end times”, they manifest in cycles.
Solomon had it right,
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
So are we closer to Christ’s return now then we were when we started this message, of course. Can it be centuries away? You doubt it don’t you? So did the first century Christians, 21 centuries ago.
Making things even more difficult are the dual, and sometimes triple, fulfillment of the prophecies laid out in Revelations.
One of the most prominent signs biblical scholars point to as evidence that the end times are surely upon us is this scripture…
Matthew 24:15
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand--
Simply put, when evil sits in the temple of the most Holy God, the end is surely upon us. Here is an example of dual fulfillment. While surely this scripture points to a day when the Anti-Christ sits in the temple in Jerusalem in the end days, it has been fulfilled several other times by the likes of Epiphanies, Vespasian and Nero.
So, why this writing today? Why this message? Why was I inspired at 3:30 AM to write this? To be remind of the question,
Where is your focus today?
I believe it is harmful to the witness and mission of the Christian to stockpile guns, food and supplies and head to mountains to wait the coming disaster.
First of all, if majority eschatology ensues, (that is, the favored pre-trib rapture) then all that preparation is useless. But if there is a time of tribulation that we must endure, then our mission, our focus, is always going to be the here and the now. Always going to be about the spread of the gospel. So is it? I ask again, Where is your focus?
There is no doubt in my mind, that we are in one of those cycles today. But is it the final one? Most would say yes, but so did most in the other cycles that have taken place as well. I would sum it up by giving you this…(and please read it carefully and think about it)
The warnings Jesus gave were to prepare us, not for us to prepare.
The warnings serve to align our focus, not to focus on our alignment. Because these things are coming, there is but one preparation and that is to ask yourself, “is my lamp filled with oil?”
Matthew 25:10
"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
So what are we do if we are indeed in one of these cycles? I believe 1 Peter 4:7-11 gives us practical and tangible instruction regardless of the age in which we currently live, take a look and we are done…
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
V. 7—the end was near even then. So what is the instruction? Be clear minded and self controlled. This refers mainly to drugs and alcohol, but anything that clouds the mind. Mark Twain said, “You can't depend on your eyes when your mind is out of focus.”
Don’t alter the mind, think rationally. Don’t chase after every whim of imagination. Don’t Focus on the hocus pocus. We can easily be swept up. What then will you be praying for? A clear mind leads to clear prayers? What is a prayer but the reciting of the words of the Holy Spirit back to God.
V.8-9—love covers over all sins. The greatest example of love (Jesus’ sacrifice) covered them all. Not just loving others but serving. Show love and hospitality.
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
James F. Byrnes
V.10. Use your gift!
Romans 1:11
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--
People are scared we need to be a rock for them. If the captain of airplane comes out of cockpit screaming and frantically spouting orders, what would that do to you as a passenger? But if the same captain came out, under the same circumstances and did so with calmness and assurance, well, that would go so much further. If you are not sure your gift, focus on your passion, which will lead to gift.
V.11--As unto the Lord--
“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do no pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks.”
Phillips Brooks
In every cycle there is opportunity. If this is the last cycle, if it ends with a trumpet blast, then great! And if it is almost over, what are you doing with your last days on earth? I leave you with this…
Luke 19:13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Occupy till I come! What better way to end a writing about the last days than those words of Jesus.
Be Blessed.
Proudly powered by Weebly