The End of the World.

[cleanaturalady]

I have been hearing a lot lately about the state of our country and conjecture that we must be living in end times since so much biblical prophecy is 'coming to pass'.  This got me to thinking about whether or not we are living in end times.  I went to the word to find out.  Yes.  I do believe we are living in end times, but guess what?  Mankind has been living in end times since the day that Jesus went to heaven.

There have been events that have happened throughout history that could have been pointed to and speculated on their prophetic occurrence.  The bible, in Matthew 24:36, clearly states that no one knows when to expect the second coming.  So, if no one knows when to expect it, why all the attempted predictions?  Because we need to get ready, of course!  Really?  Get ready for what? 

If we believe in Jesus, then it is also our belief that our souls are already safe.  There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:35-39).  As for warning those who do not believe, we are called to be salt and light in the world so that all will see God through us and turn to him (Matthew 5:13-16).  So what else do we need to do to get ready for Jesus?  Do we need to run around sounding an alarm?  I see no reason to.  After much prayer and introspection, I do not feel called to warn anyone of the impending end. 

Obviously we are closer now to the end than we were we Jesus ascended to heaven - duh, it is 2000+ years later.  That is a given, but it doesn't mean that the signs of these times are any more a fulfilling of prophecy than similar signs in history were.  People need to stop theorizing about what to do to get ready for the end and start living in the now.  That is what these scriptures that I have provided tell us.

We need to be patient.  We are called to align ourselves with God's plan.  He has individual plans for each of our lives. Why do we fight over who is worshiping God the right way and quibble over scriptural minutiae?  Those things are a waste of the time we have here, because no matter when Jesus returns we all know that we each have a finite amount of time to live.  We need to focus on allowing God's light to shine through us more brightly than our own interpretation of theology.  Christians are called to nothing less.

Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 (New International Version)

 ⁸ All things are wearisome,
       more than one can say.
       The eye never has enough of seeing,
       nor the ear its fill of hearing.

 ⁹ What has been will be again,
       what has been done will be done again;
       there is nothing new under the sun.

 ¹⁰ Is there anything of which one can say,
       "Look! This is something new"?
       It was here already, long ago;
       it was here before our time.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (New International Version)

⁵Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Philippians 1:4-6 (New International Version)

⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:18 (New International Version)

¹⁸The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

James 5:7-8 (New International Version)

 ⁷Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

[clairandamjones]

Mar. 4, 2009 at 11:43 AM

Beautifully written, dear, and I could not agree more.  All the end times wailing and hollering gives me pains in the most uncomfortable places.  Thanks for posting this!

[kimberleee382]

Mar. 4, 2009 at 12:55 PM

All things must come to an end.

This was beautifully written and informative, thank you for it

We all need to move with the flow of life.  It will take us where we need to go.  There's no sense in fighting it or panicking

[peachfuzz2009]

Mar. 4, 2009 at 1:37 PM Jehovah God is a loving God and wants us to warn those that are doing things not according to His will. He wants individuals to understand the Ransome He gave in giving His only begotten son Jesus. So since He is a loving father He would want us to warn others about the day of judgement. Its just as in Noahs day. Noah warned the people but they took no note till it was to late. But they were given an opportunity to come to God 1st. Same as today. With so many wicked people we see that there are so many who dont have a need for spiritual matters, dont see a need in having a close relationship with God or changing their lot in life. And i agree we are living in the last days. And mabye your posting this will make people see a need to take heed. Psalms 83:18

[callmeann]

Mar. 4, 2009 at 2:12 PM

I like this one, Kim.  It is a good balance between several ideas of what the second coming will mean.  Good post.

[DestMasters]

Mar. 4, 2009 at 8:48 PM

You rock BIG Kim!  XOXO