Is This the End of the World?

We have a global crisis going on, folks.

Is this the end of the world?

Incredibly, the FEAR of getting the COVID-19 virus, as it is called, has swept the entire globe and has caused the closure of ALL businesses and travel around the world. This is unprecedented in my life-time. It is not just the United States or a few other countries. This thing has swept the entire globe.

Many people are terrified of getting the virus and possibly dying from it. Governments around the world have reacted with extreme measures.  We see the global economy swirling into a decline that may mean the end of all things as we know them now — buying and selling, working, going to school, traveling freely, and getting the medical and professional help we need and have come to expect.

It is the demise of our society.

While many people are starting to protest and defying government controls, many are asking: is the is the end of the world? It is a good question.

How does this tie in with biblical prophecy?

The world is teetering on the verge of destruction. It is descending into a series of horrible scenarios, things that are almost too terrible to contemplate. And where is God in this?

Ah, my friend. He is here. He is strong. His Word is true.

He will come and judge the world, and that time is very, very near. I’m told in journalism classes that you shouldn’t use modifiers, but I feel that last sentence needed two. Maybe it needed three!

What should be expect next and how can we prepare ourselves for what is to come?

First of all, I would like to assure you that this in NOT THE END OF THE WORLD!

Really? Yes, really. The Bible is clear about the timeline. We find information concerning future events in several  places of the Bible. One is Jesus’ discourse to His disciples concerning the real-time kingdom that He will set up on earth found in Matt. 24-25 and Luke 19. We also see an event we call the Rapture described in I Thess. 4 and I Cor. 15. Much of Revelation (chapter 4-18) describe a time called the Great Tribulation, a time of God’s judgments falling on a sinful world.

Usually when we hear a dire prediction, we take precautionary measures to ensure our safety, comfort, and well being. It would be stupid for us to hear of a hurricane coming, for instance, and do nothing about it, thinking we are strong enough, smart enough, or rich enough to weather the storm without aid from anyone or without changing our lifestyle.

What about biblical prophecy?

Do you read or hear these messages of coming judgment and doom, shrug your shoulders, and say to yourself, “I’ve heard that before. It won’t happen in my day. I’m okay. I don’t have to change anything.”

What should be our response to the fact that this world will be consumed with fire, that God will come and judge the sins of the world, that we are living on the verge of the time when that judgment will fall?

This is an age where people live to fulfill their pleasures and desires.

We have seen human trafficking, hard porn, and drug abuse skyrocket. There seems to be no end of the lust and greed that fuel these markets and liberal politicians would extend the borders, tell us that we can kill our babies with

Just recently, Victoria Osteen and her husband, Joel, pastors of a large mega-church in Texas, declared that going to church and doing good is not about God but about ourselves. This is blatant self worship. This is the worship of the false god of prosperity, humanism, and happiness.

The god of most people (even many Christians) is money, pleasure, possessions, education, and security.

What events will transpire when it comes? Are you watching? Are you ready?

There are five truths about prophecy that we find in the Bible that are important for us to understand.

1. We can know the times.

Matt. 24 and many other passages gives us the signs of the times. As we see these events occurring, we should “lift up our heads, for our redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28 We do not know the DAY, the MONTH, or the YEAR of His return to this earth, but we can know the general time of His return because He told us to watch for them.

2. We know that God intended His Word to be taken literally.

One of the greatest events in the history of mankind was the arrival of the Messiah, the Savior of the world. This event was predicted in the Old Testament hundreds of times, and it literally came to pass. If Jesus came once to this world in the literal sense, don’t you think He can come again in the same way? Can you believe the word of angels? “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

Each and every prophecy in the Word of God is literal. He is coming. Soon.

Watch the clouds. Watch the sky. I have seen some incredible cloud formations in recent days. Do you think they are getting ready for the grand event of Christ’s return to this earth? I do.

3. We are not called to live in fear. Rather, we are told to be ready.

Peter enjoined his readers to be ready for the end days. “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” II Pet. 3:11-13

What are you looking for? A new house? A better job? A secure future with plenty of money? It would be wiser to look for a new earth and a new heaven. It was said of Abraham, “For he was looking for a city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Heb. 11:10

4. We are told to “occupy until He comes.” In Luke 19:13, Jesus told the story of a rich man who gave money to each of his servants and told them to do business with the money until he came back to further his kingdom. They could invest it, build with it, start a business with it. It didn’t matter how they used it – they just had to use it for him. When he returned, he called them all in. They were rewarded or punished according to how they used their resources for the Kingdom.

How are you doing with that? Are you using your time, money, talents, energy, and possessions to forward the Kingdom and make it grow? Or are you wasting it on yourself? Now would be a good time to consider what He wants you to do with what you have for His glory. The time is short. Don’t waste it.

5. We are told His return is SOON. Rev. 1:7 says, “Behold He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be.” In Rev. 22:7, 12, and 20 Jesus says, “I am coming quickly.” He said it three times. John responds in Rev. 22:20, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Those words were written 1924 years ago, give or take a few years.

“Quickly” seems to have taken a long time to come, yet it is God’s grace and mercy that has caused Him to wait for men to repent and to return to Him. It seemed that for many years (during my lifetime), the fulfillment of the signs Jesus gave slowed down and did not progress rapidly. But I am here to tell you that in the last few months, things have sped up.

What should we look to happen next? From my viewpoint, these are the things we should expect in the near future:

1. Wars increasing.

Threats will increase to the existence of Israel. Unstable conditions world-wide, including economic, political and moral conditions deteriorating rapidly.

2. Natural catastrophic events occurring more intensely and more frequently.

These include: earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, famine, crop failures, hurricanes.

3. Persecution of God’s people will reach to all parts of the globe, including the United States and Canada.

4. Christians will grow cold in their devotion, passion, commitment, and zeal for God and for worship in His house.

As persecution increases, many will fall away from the faith, denying God to keep their jobs and their properties and to stay alive. There will be pressure from within the organized church to accept homosexuality (the LGBT movement), accept abortion, accept immorality. Lawlessness will abound. I recently saw a picture of a poster someone made saying, “Come again, Jesus. We will nail you to the cross again.” This kind of clenched fist rebellion raised in the face of God will increase and become more common in our society.

5. As the world situation grows worse, people will begin looking for a “savior”, someone who can bring peace to the world (especially the Middle East!), provide for their needs, and give them hope for the future.

This man, of course, will be the Antichrist, the evil dictator, who will rule the entire earth and claim to be God. You have been warned. The prophecy is there for you to read. For myself, I am excited. I long for Him to return. I yearn for justice to be done on earth and for His will to reign.

What about you? What is Jesus saying to your heart? For me, it is this:

“Occupy until I come. Renew your dedication, passion and zeal to serve Me and give Me your all, knowing the time is short. Get rid of your false gods. Repent of your sin and live a holy life style. Tell others about My grace and love. Be faithful. I am at the door.”

I want to see my Savior, Jesus Christ, and hear from His lips the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

If you have comments, questions, or concerns, please leave me a note.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!