The End Times

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​Eschatology (beliefs about the end of the age) is in a particularly dreadful mess these days, largely because of how easily we all connect online and how low our standards are when handling God’s Word. Discussions about The End Times often attract those who have an imbalanced approach to the fullness of Scripture teaching.

 

In the Bible we are told to avoid harmful distractions that displace sound teaching. Take the time to read the following verses: 1st Timothy 1:4-7; 6:3-5; 2nd Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9-11. There are general lessons here for those preoccupied by subjects that are unlikely to focus their minds on following Christ faithfully according to God’s Word. Our unity and spiritual health will suffer when we are bogged down by foolish stories, imprudent speculations, worthless disputes about words, suspicions, controversial questions, and so on.

 

Some passages of Scripture are styled in metaphorical and symbolic language that inevitably leads to fanciful speculations among the spiritually immature. This is especially true among those who spend a disproportionate amount of time thinking about future events and the end of the age.

 

Many prophetic-based speculative theories lack a clear relevance to the overall purpose of Scripture in the lives of God’s people. We know that the Scriptures should be used to lead us into spiritual completeness and correctness, equipping us for good works in Christ. Arguably it’s difficult to use Scripture in this way when speculating or teaching about The End Times and The Fall of Lucifer*, two popular subjects in online forums and on social networking pages. There are many colourful opinions on these subjects!

 

We have to be careful in brotherly discussions and debates that we don’t present personal convictions or theories as unquestionable revelation from Scripture. But that’s exactly what too many do. Thankfully there is an abundance of subjects in Scripture that are perfectly clear. Most of Scripture can be comfortably used to strengthen our faith allowing us to better understand God’s will for us each day. We can use most of Scripture to build up one another in our walk with Christ, to His glory.

 

Some people grow to have personality characteristics that are stubbornly attracted to controversies, conspiracy theories, the supernatural and any amount of outlandish ideas. Interpreting known facts to fit personal bias is a common inclination we should all try to avoid. We should never join up the dots to create the picture we were hoping to see.

 

Sometimes Bible passages or verses are lifted out of context, or used to create an emphasis that leads to confused thinking and divisive foolishness. When Scripture passages aren’t totally clear, it’s wise not to make dogmatic statements about their meaning or to rashly link them to current events, or possible future events.

 

In brief, what does the Bible actually say about the consummation of the age? Christ taught us that at the end of the age, following a time of great distress, He will appear from above (Matthew 24:30). He will send out His angels who will gather out of His kingdom everything that offends Him, and all those who disobey God’s laws, and throw them into the fiery furnace (Matthew 13:41-42). “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (v. 43).

 

We are are called to abide in Christ in spiritual maturity, to know His will by the Holy Spirit, and to be found faithfully following Him when He returns, whenever that may be. No one knows exactly, but we should keep in mind the sobering truths of Luke 21:29-36, 1st Thessalonians 5:2-8, 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-12 and 2nd Peter 3:10-14 (NASB):

 

Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”​
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For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.​
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Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

 

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.​
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But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless…​

 

Are we ready?​​
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