Are we living in the “end times?”

We have all seen them.   They abound online.  Forecasts which say the Bible shows signs that the decades we live in are the “end times.”  I personally have already seen three such posts from well-meaning people I know and love.    This blog posts explains where these predictions come from, examines them using a scriptural and logical lens, then concludes with an examination of what the “end times” actually means.

Prophesies of the “end times” have been around a long time.  They generally start with Jesus’ prediction of the events surrounding the “end times” as recorded by Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.  They often draw heavily from the Book of Revelation. 

A recent example illustrates this trend.  A survey released last week by a major publisher was featured in an article on their website.  The headline was “Vast Majority of Pastors See Signs of End Times in Current Events.”  The article stated that “A study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research of pastors at evangelical and historically black churches found 97% say they believe Jesus Christ will literally and personally return to Earth again.” This quote is, we believe, 100% accurate. It is the further detail, that caused us some consternation.

The same study found at least 60% (and as much as 80%) interpreted current events, as those associated with Jesus’s return.  The events included: Anti-Semitism with Jewish People worldwide, Famines, The number of people abandoning their Christian faith, Earthquakes and other natural disasters, Wars and national conflicts, Traditional morals become less and less accepted, Love of many believers growing cold, and the Rise of false prophets and false teachings.

We see several problems with this view.  First and most crucially, by the “end times,” Jesus was referring to the end of the Jewish epoch/age/period of history and the beginning of the Christian one.  One only needs to read Matthew 13:37-41 to understand this fact.  Some versions say, “end of the age” and some say, “end of the world.”  Without getting into unnecessary linguistics here, this is because two Greek words are used in Matthew’s account.  This point is that Jesus is making the argument that in the “end of the age” in which we live (or “end times” as some people render it today) it is crucial to get people to start following Him.

Second, Jesus did not say these events would all happen concurrently.  Instead, Jesus was obviously noting things which would happen in this world.  These events have occurred repeatedly throughout human history, often with a few years of each other.  In fact, every single event mentioned in the survey above in fact occurred in the 100 years after Jesus ascended into heaven. The idea that our period is somehow unique strikes as the height of hubris.

Third, Jesus was very clear in saying that no one knows when He will come again (Matthew 24:36-44) (I Thessalonians 5:1-4) There were those who even believed that these events ensured that Jesus would come again in their lifetimes.  Paul upbraids them, explaining that those who have died will also be able to be with Jesus (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

So, technically yes, we are living in the end times.  We have been for over 2,000 years, ever since Jesus ascended and told us all to harvest (Matthew 28:18-20) when He promised He would be with us “until the end of the Age.”  Jesus could come again tomorrow, or at any point in the future. Remember how John ends the book of Revelation: He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen. (Revelation 25:20-21)

One might wonder why Jesus said to John in this verse that He “was coming soon,” when 2,000 years does not seem soon to some.  Many have often wondered the same thing.   Remember what Paul told Peter in talking about this very thing: “Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:8-9)

Those persons who think they know when Jesus will come again are clearly misguided.  Their urgency in getting ready for Jesus return is accurate.  As Paul wrote, it is that very uncertainty about the timing of Jesus return that should create an even greater sense of urgency in us all.