Time

I was talking to a friend a few months ago about the various beliefs going a round the church relating to us living in the end of time. Some look at the wars and threats of wars, the deadly and previously unheard-of diseases, and natural disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, among other things, and see these as signs of a soon ending world (Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:5-8). Those of us who grew up in the church have been hearing that Jesus is coming soon since the day we were born and now we are becoming parents and He still hasn’t arrived as yet. Now some of us have decided to disregard the belief in His soon return, placing it somewhere in the distant future outside of our lifetime, and have decided that we’ll live for the here and now (Matthew 24:48-51; Luke 12:45-48; Luke 17:26-30). This is a dangerous undertaking.

My friend intimated that all these sign-watchers in church are basically alarmists; healthcare, peace accords and general longevity among human beings is better than it was in ancient times and the Middle Ages. While some of his statement is true medical care and knowledge has improved the lives of some in certain respects, the lives of many others are far worse – living in war zones and areas of famine and epidemics. Those of us privileged few who live in seemingly free civilizations have other problems claiming our mental and spiritual lives (Luke 21:26).  Because God has been disregarded in our highly privileged communities the hope and peace that only He can give is lost and many are dying from hedonism and depression. Apathy is at an extreme high in those of us who think the world is in a better condition (Matthew 24:12). The promotion of this idea that Christ’s return is in the distant future is also another occurrence mentioned as a signal that the near the end (Matthew 24:48; 1Thessalonians 5:1-3).

The reality is none of us yet know when (day or hour) Jesus is to return, however, it is soon (Matthew 25:13).  It was as soon for those who proclaimed it 150+ years ago as it is for us today. I say soon because whether it is tomorrow, 10 years or 100 years from now it remains to be soon for each of us. We as human beings get approximately 70 years in this life, some are blessed with more others get less (Psalms 90:10). By the time we get a handle on what is required of us, by our Maker half that time (or more) is gone (1 Samuel 15:22, 23; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14; Micah 6:6-8). We have another 35 years to break hard-set traits, habits and addictions, formed in our early years, in order to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12), and be fit for His kingdom (Ephesians 5:27). This is not a lot of time. And remember, no matter how much time life continues after we die we will not benefit from this time, to become right with God (Psalms 115:17; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6). When we understand this we quickly realize that this is no time to be relaxed imagining that we have many decades in which to get ready (Luke 12:16-21). To day if you hear His voice don’t harden your hearts (Psalms 95:8; Hebrews 3:8, 15).

Jesus is coming soon, whether you live to see Him coming in the clouds or you are put to sleep and are resurrected at His coming. We get 70 years. Please use them wisely (Psalms 90:12).

Blessings