Russia… Crimea… Putin; Gaza… Hamas… Israel; ISIS in Iraq and Syria; Ebola; Flesh eating bacteria in the Gulf; and… and… and… (BTW, tomorrow {God willing} is part 2). Ok… take a breath. The end is not yet. Don’t worry. Don’t be anxious. Here’s why I say that…
First because of Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 24:3-8,
The disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
Second, in Scripture “The Last Days” refers to the time between when Jesus ascended to heaven and whenever He will return. In other words, The Last Days began at Pentecost and will continue until He returns. The End Time clock didn’t just start ticking! In 1987 I read a book titled, “88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Be In 1988.” Spoiler alert… it didn’t happen. Hal Lindsey wrote “The Late Great Planet Earth” warning of the impending return of Christ… still waiting…
Third, The Apostle John wrote tribulation was taking place in his day in Revelation 1:9, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus…” Since the first Century Christians have been horribly persecuted for their faith, as Jesus said would happen. Next, the Rapture will not take place until AFTER the Antichrist is revealed and sits in the Temple as written in 2 Thess 2:1-4…
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
The Christian’s understanding about these things comes from Jesus as found in Matt 24:29-31, THE sign of Jesus’ return is… HIS RETURN!
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Which means the way to live until Jesus returns is recorded in Matt 24:42-44…
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
I have mixed feelings about Christ’s return. One part of me get excited just thinking of that great event and I say come now Lord. Then I realize how many will be left behind, maybe including friends and family, and I appreciate God’s delay.