Living in the Pre End Times

Scripture: Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you." Matthew 23:3-4

Observation: The disciples ask about the end times, and Jesus first instruction is not to be deceived. He then goes on to lists the following types of events: False Messiahs; Many wars; Ethnic conflicts; Major regional wars; Famines; Other pestilence; Multiple natural disasters; Societal hatred of the church; General betrayal and hatred within the church; False teaching in the church; Communities living outside God's laws; A redefinition of love that is cold.

Jesus ends this list by then stating the gospel message will be preached to all the world, and "then the end will come" (v14). However, based on this reading, it seems that all these other items ... having nothing to do with the end times. In fact, it is possible Jesus is saying the opposite, that these things will occur throughout the world, but do not be deceived by people that declare these represent the end times, for they do not. Instead, these are just examples of how the world and societies and the church will function prior to the end times, as influenced by satan in the world who is trying to prevent this very last success ... the worldwide spreading of the gospel of Jesus.

Application: Oh, how I wish the end times would come. Do I truly want to live during the 'great tribulation'? Okay, probably not, and I'm not sure I understand prophesy about that and the 'rapture' enough anyway. But everything else Jesus talked about is upon us ... both national and ethnic wars, natural disasters and the changing of global climate to cause broad famine and pestilence, church struggles both internal and external, huge populations entirely rejecting God, and an active rejection of the love that even defines God himself.

If these aren't signs of the end times, at least we know they all had to come to pass first, and they have. All of them, in crystal clear fulfillment of Jesus' word. I don't know where the gospel still needs to go - maybe some places in the middle east, or corners of small Asian countries, or even to my neighbor's house - but I hope we get it there soon.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know that Jesus will return like a thief in the night, at an appointed time that is so secret not even he knew it. But we have passed through, and live within, all the pre-end-times challenges. I would love to see you and see your return. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.