Comments on: March 12, 2010 http://newlife-glastonbury.org/bibleplan/2010/03/12/march-12-2008/ Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:15:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Eric Stillman http://newlife-glastonbury.org/bibleplan/2010/03/12/march-12-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-279 Eric Stillman Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:30:02 +0000 http://newlife-glastonbury.org/bibleplan/2008/03/12/march-12-2008/#comment-279 I've always had a bit of a struggle with the whole end times, apocalyptic thing. I completely believe Jesus will return, as He promised. But I've never been one of those who confidently declare "we're living in the last days" as I look at the "signs of the times." Is that wrong? I believe Jesus has called us to be watchful, to be ready for his return, but not necessarily to try to guess when it will happen. For example, sometimes you hear someone talking about "wars and rumors of wars" and saying this is a sign we're in the last days; according to 24:6, Jesus is saying "don't be shocked by that - they will always be happening, but that isn't a sign of the end yet." I think it is accurate to say that we have been in the beginning of birth pains (v.8) since Jesus left the earth; we have been in the last days since he ascended to heaven. There is nothing in v. 5-12 that did not happen during the disciples' lifetime, up to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., and all of those things have happened in every lifetime up until the presence. There have been wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, believers have been persecuted, people have turned away from the faith, there have been false prophets, wickedness has increased and love has grown cold. I read nothing in those verses that makes me say our era is any different, that Jesus must be coming in our lifetime. The last two verses (13-14) are signficant. V. 13 seems to be saying that the evidence of salvation is not just having "prayed the salvation prayer," but includes continuing and persevering in the faith until the end, whatever that might mean. This theme comes up a lot in apocalyptic literature, especially Revelation - those who are truly saved will persevere to the end, will not abandon the faith under persecution. If someone does abandon the faith, they need to question whether they were really saved in the first place. Lastly, there is a call to preach the gospel to all nations. This is something that had not happened during the time of the disciples, and has been happening throughout history. Does Jesus mean that EVERY tribe, tongue, and nation must hear before He will return, or is it just a general "bring the gospel to the world"? I don't know. But his call is as clear as it was at the end of Matthew - his disciples are to go into all the nations and make disciples. The need for prayer is clear, that we might be aware that living in the last days means that we will face trials, persecution, and be tempted to go astray by false prophets. Lord, give us the strength and love to persevere to the end, to never deny your name. I’ve always had a bit of a struggle with the whole end times, apocalyptic thing. I completely believe Jesus will return, as He promised. But I’ve never been one of those who confidently declare “we’re living in the last days” as I look at the “signs of the times.” Is that wrong? I believe Jesus has called us to be watchful, to be ready for his return, but not necessarily to try to guess when it will happen. For example, sometimes you hear someone talking about “wars and rumors of wars” and saying this is a sign we’re in the last days; according to 24:6, Jesus is saying “don’t be shocked by that – they will always be happening, but that isn’t a sign of the end yet.” I think it is accurate to say that we have been in the beginning of birth pains (v.8) since Jesus left the earth; we have been in the last days since he ascended to heaven.

There is nothing in v. 5-12 that did not happen during the disciples’ lifetime, up to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., and all of those things have happened in every lifetime up until the presence. There have been wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, believers have been persecuted, people have turned away from the faith, there have been false prophets, wickedness has increased and love has grown cold. I read nothing in those verses that makes me say our era is any different, that Jesus must be coming in our lifetime.

The last two verses (13-14) are signficant. V. 13 seems to be saying that the evidence of salvation is not just having “prayed the salvation prayer,” but includes continuing and persevering in the faith until the end, whatever that might mean. This theme comes up a lot in apocalyptic literature, especially Revelation – those who are truly saved will persevere to the end, will not abandon the faith under persecution. If someone does abandon the faith, they need to question whether they were really saved in the first place.

Lastly, there is a call to preach the gospel to all nations. This is something that had not happened during the time of the disciples, and has been happening throughout history. Does Jesus mean that EVERY tribe, tongue, and nation must hear before He will return, or is it just a general “bring the gospel to the world”? I don’t know. But his call is as clear as it was at the end of Matthew – his disciples are to go into all the nations and make disciples.

The need for prayer is clear, that we might be aware that living in the last days means that we will face trials, persecution, and be tempted to go astray by false prophets. Lord, give us the strength and love to persevere to the end, to never deny your name.

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