ARE WE IN THE END TIMES?

 

Eschatology

My paraphrased definition is that eschatology, sometimes called the science of last things, is the part of theology that pertains to the death, judgment and final destiny of mankind on earth. The Books of Daniel and Revelation in the Holy Bible contain a majority of the information regarding the end times.

I am not a theologian, nor do I have special knowledge about the end of the church age on earth. While I have read Scripture about the end times many times, and listened to Biblical authorities on this subject, I am the first to admit I have a limited understanding of Biblical prophecy. Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I really don’t have a desire to know all the facts and details of God’s plan for the end times. I just want to be aware of the signs of the times and be ready for my going, or for Jesus' coming!.

What Should We Know?

After nearly 40 years as a Christian learner, I’ve finally reached a conclusion. It is this: Scripture tells me I will be blessed if I heed and take to heart the words of the prophecy in the Book of Revelation. To me, this means I should have a general understanding of how this age will close. It is not the main thing, but it is an important one.

So, my contrarian personality asks, “Why do I need to heed the words in the Book of Revelation?” Simple answer: Mahy Scriptures tell me I am to be ready for the end time events when they occur. In fact, the original apostles told people to be ready 2000 years ago! Their message, and my thinking today, is that we should be ready every day! So, what does this look like?

Getting Ready for the End

Our charge, as I see it, has two parts. First, we must be aware of the times and how they may relate to the end of the age. Second, we must continually seek revelation of who Jesus is, and who we are in Him, upon which revelation we are to build our faith.

Being Aware of the Times

The Bible tells us that wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and other natural disasters are some of the indicators of the end times. Actions of politicians and government leaders that parallel Biblical history, are perhaps even more important. However one believes it will happen, chaos, deception, hardship and suffering must occur for the age to close. It is less of a matter of the fact these things will happen, and when they will happen, than it is how we prepare or are ready for them.

Believers have been pointing to natural occurrences as signs of the times for centuries, and, in fact, they may be increasing today. These events are important, but a brief review of the history of the fall of the Roman Empire will reveal similarities to what is happening in the United States today, perhaps an even more important event!. Destruction of the constitution and democracy, oligarchies of wealthy individuals controlling all aspects of government, and imperialist aggression towards other countries and alliances destroyed the Roman Empire. While the presence of these circumstances don't guarantee the end is near, world history can provide patterns from which the United States is not immune!

Getting Ourselves Ready

Proponents of some religious factions tell us we just have to select certain Scriptures and “stand on them.” Pray, confess, declare and decree these scriptures they say, and we can see them operate in our lives. While this may be partly true, these instructions omit a most valuable Truth.

Participating in one of these religious factions early in my Christian journey, I kept looking for posiitive results  of "standing on Scriptures" and saw very few of them. In fact, many people I met that kept saying “I am blessed,” were sick and behind on their rent! Sometimes I was too! Something was missing!

We were confessing Scripture, but we did not have the revelation from Jesus by His Spirit that a Scripture was for us at that time. Without this revelation, we were only spitting out words. There was no power! So how do we get ready? Read on.

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV):

Vs. 9: “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  A reference in the Spirit Filled Life Bible says the word “believe” “expresses reliance upon and a personal trust that produces obedience.” Essentially, our actions and behaviors must demonstrate our faith in Jesus from our hearts!

Vs. 10: “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Proverbs 4:23 says that all the issues of our lives flow out of our hearts. A genuine demonstration of our faith is required to receive God's righteousness, even to receive our salvation!

This is the key to preparing for the end of time! Our goal is not to be perfect, but to receive continual revelation of who Jesus is, and what He has done for us. This takes time and requires mixing patience with our faith, which is a demonstration of faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6)! This is getting ourselves ready for the end times!