The End Is Near! Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

The "end is near!"  Christians are full of questions about the future, and inquiring minds want to know.

We see many signs and events in the world today that are deeply distressing, which some who are "in the know" associate with the imminent fulfillment of Biblical end-times prophecy.  Are we literally living in the last days?  Will many of those alive today, including you and me, live to see the second coming of Jesus Christ?

Again, inquiring minds want to know!

Whether it be Daniel (Old Testament), the apostles (New Testament), and generations that have lived ever since, they want to know the future, and what signs or events might tip them off to the timing of the end.  The prophetic Books of Daniel and Revelation are known as apocalyptic literature.

Apocalyptic literature uses vivid imagery and bizarre symbolism, which we are tempted to see as some kind of "blueprint" and "timeline" to the future.

Daniel asked, "How will this finally end, my Lord?" (Daniel 12:8)

The disciples put it this way: "Tell us, Lord, when will all this happen, and what will be the sign of its coming?" (Mark 13:4). Jesus gives a lengthy and cryptic answer: "And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet (Mark 13:7). ... But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13:32).

Some 2,000 years have passed by since the disciples posed that question and the Book of Revelation was written proclaiming "the end is near," (1:3).  Since then, we have seen many destructive wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, and false prophets.  Yet, the Earth continues to spin on its axis and orbit the Sun; the sun continues without fail to "rise" in the morning and "set" at night.

But like every generation since the time the events of the New Testament were being played out, we want to know the timelines, the events, and the places.  We want to know the signs of Jesus' return, and how everything related to the end of the Earth is going to unfold.

As people of the book, we look in the Scriptures for answers to our questions about end-times, especially Revelation.  We assume these prophecies were written to give us the "inside track," to provide us detailed clues as to how the future will unfold and how and when the end of the world will take place.

But wait, contrary to our hopes and desires, such is not the purpose of apocalyptic literature.  The purpose of apocalyptic literature is not to provide us with blueprints to the future, but to remind God's people that no matter how dire circumstances may get, God is still in control--always has been and always will be.  These passages were not written to give us a road map to the end times, but to strengthen and encourage us in those times when we are gripped by the jaws of defeat.  In those times when it appears as though all may be lost, apocalyptic literature reminds us that in JESUS CHRIST we win!

Any time we have a conversation about end times or the return of Jesus Christ, two extremes are possible.

• First, we can live with a sort of "hyperexpectancy" about Jesus' coming.  This leads us to an unhealthy obsession about all the details, and causes us to construct our own timelines and graphs, to read prophecy into every event that is happening in the world, and ultimately to print our books and launch-ends time focused ministries (especially when we see how profitable doing so becomes).

• The second extreme is complacency with regard to Jesus' coming.  The more time that elapses, the easier it is to get complacent, to even doubt that Jesus will return again.

We would do well to heed the advice God gave Daniel (Daniel Chapter 12).  He said, "Go your own way, Daniel" (Daniel 12:9).  Stay strong.  Stay true.  Stay faithful.  Persevere.  Don’t obsess about the “end,” but don’t get complacent, either. Just stay in the game and keep playing.

God is in control.  Patient endurance, unwavering and complete faith and trust in the Lord, and fulfilling the Great Commission are what we need now.