Signs of the End

Modern politics can sound so … apocalyptic. Stump speeches ring out as though the speakers were makers of miracles or prophets of doom rather than candidates with intentions and goals for governing. As elections approach, each side promises a glorious victory, all the while threatening catastrophe if the opponent triumphs. The terms used in the conflict transcend warfare. It’s as though Judgment Day is upon us, and the world itself is coming to an end!

Time for a reality check.

First of all, by the time you read these words it’s likely that Election Day will have passed (or very nearly so), and—unless Jesus does come again in these intervening days—it’s most likely that our world will still be intact and our country will still be in one piece. In spite of all the hyperbolic rhetoricians (that’s a fancy way of describing ‘overblown windbags’), we’ve been down this political road before, and we’ve survived the trip.

That said, before we give up hope, we should turn to the One who is the Author of Hope, and see what He says about the actual End Times. For one day this world will come to an end, and it’s best to be prepared for when that happens.

There’s a lot of material in the Bible we could turn to, but for the moment I’d like to direct your attention to Matthew 24. That’s where Jesus’ disciples directly asked Him about this very issue. They said to Jesus, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?”

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 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. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (Matt. 24:3-8)

That’s what we’re facing now, and have been facing since Jesus walked this earth. Nothing new here. Don’t be alarmed. These are reminders that we are sinners living in a sinful world, needing the redemption that comes only through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

But that doesn’t mean this life is or will be easy. Jesus continued, “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:11-14)

For some time now, most Biblical scholars have agreed that the gospel has been proclaimed throughout the world. That means that, as far as we are aware, Jesus could return at any time. And when Jesus comes, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind about His returning. Everyone, believer and unbeliever alike, will know Jesus is here. “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. … 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. 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.” (Matt. 24:27, 30-31)

With His glorious arrival will come our glorious assembly: all believers will be brought together, the dead shall be raised, the living shall be transformed, and we shall join our Savior in the new heaven and new earth prepared for us!

What, then, shall we do until this glorious Day comes? “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44)