#185 End Times

During this COVID-19 outbreak I've heard people wondering about the end times. Is the rapid spread of this virus a sign that we're close to the end of the world? Are we living in the end times?

These kinds of discussions drive me nuts. So let's try to set the record straight. The Bible sometimes talks about world history in terms of two ages: the present age and the age to come. The present age covers history from creation until the time when Jesus returns and brings the new creation. The age to come begins with the ministry of Jesus and covers all eternity in God's kingdom. If you're paying close attention, you'll notice that those two ages overlap. We're living in that overlap. Ever since Jesus came, the present age has been coming to an end and the age to come is beginning. In biblical terms the answer to the question "are we living in the end times?" is yes. We've been living in the end times for approximately 2000 years. The writers of the New Testament (rightly) believed that they were already living in the end times. Acts 2:17 says, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…" When the Spirit comes on God's people on Pentecost, Peter says that Joel's prophesy has been fulfilled. 10 days after Jesus' ascension, His people are living in the end times. Hebrews 1:2 says "in these last days [God] has spoken to us by His Son." John writes, "Dear children, this is the last hour" in 1 John 2:18. These are the end times because we are no longer waiting for Jesus' first coming and His redeeming/saving work. We are waiting for His return and the completion of God's plan.

Also, the idea that we can use COVID-19 or some other world event to determine exactly when Jesus will return is ridiculous. Jesus says we can't figure it out: "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…. Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44). And in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Paul says the day of Jesus' return will come "like a thief in the night." This is not something that we can predict or figure out. God tells us in the Bible that we must live in such a way that we are prepared for Jesus to return at any moment. The time to live for Jesus is now. Trying to determine when this will happen is irresponsible and bad theology.

So let's stop worrying about the end times. Of course we're living in the end times. Let's worry about living like Jesus and living for Jesus to the best of our ability, because our lives belong to Him.

Grace and peace,

BMH