August 29 | Are We Living in the End Times?
Matthew 24:42, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
According to the Bible we have been living in the end times since the Day of Pentecost (approximately 33 AD). Peter made this clear when he preached his first sermon that day, from the prophecy of Joel found in the Old Testament. In Acts 2:17 Peter said, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of the last days. So we are in the last seconds of the last day. It’s time for people to get right with God before they get left behind!
Though the initial end times started at Pentecost, Jesus spoke about the conclusion of the end times happening at His return and second coming. In Matthew 24:4-30, Jesus gave specific signs to look for to know when His coming was near. As today’s passage teaches, no one can know the day, but we can know the season and the general timeframe. Jesus said in Matthew 24:33, “Even so, when you see all these things [the signs mentioned in verses 4-30], you know that it is near, right at the door.”
Here is a list of the eight signs Jesus gave in Matthew 24:4-14 to let us know when His coming was close; (1) False Christs in verse 5, (2) Wars & revolutions in verse 7, (3) Famines in verse 7, (4) Earthquakes in verse 7, (5) Diseases in Luke 21:11, (6) Persecution in verse 9, (7) Sin will abound in verse 12 and (8) The gospel proclamation in the whole world in verse 14.
Now consider the following stats concerning these signs in our current generation; (1) False Christs: Over 1,000 people in the last 50yrs have claimed to be “Jesus.” (2) Wars & Revolutions: We’ve had over 40 major wars and revolutions since 1940. (3) Famines: Around 800 million people are starving or are malnourished in the world today. (4) Earthquakes: Worldwide surge in earthquakes over the last 10 years (2004-2014). (5) Disease: Just in the case of AIDS, there are more than 50 million people affected.
(6) Persecution: On average, over 100,000 Christians die each year for their faith (many by Muslims in genocidal fashion). (7) Abounding Sin: Sins like abortion, perversion, godlessness and homosexuality are corrupting many. (8) Global Proclamation of the Gospel: Today Christianity is growing faster and reaching more unreached people groups than ever before!
Adrian Rogers once preached, “Jesus came the first time to die; He is coming again to raise the dead. When He came the first time, they questioned whether He was King; the next time the world will know that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The first time He wore a crown of thorns; the next time He will be wearing a crown of glory. The first time He came in poverty; the next time He is coming in power. The first time He had an escort of angels; the next time He will come with ten thousands of His saints. The first time He came in meekness; He is coming again in majesty.”
Now is the time to preach, pray and plug away until Jesus comes back to judge the world. Maranatha- come Lord Jesus!
Reflection
Action
- Prepare your heart to meet the Lord.
- Watch and see how the signs of the end times increase in your lifetime.
- Preach the soon return of Jesus to everyone you can!