Are we in the last days according to the Bible?

The Last Days: There’s Nothing New Under the Sun

Are we in what the Bible calls “the last days”? If so, what implications does this reality have for Christians? How does God wish for us to act and live?

 

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

 

During this pandemic, many young believers, believe the end of days is near. Some will say, “Certainly, Jesus return is imminent.” As Christians, many scholars have said we have been in the “Last Days” since Jesus’ ascension into heaven, and we remain in those “Last Days” until His return. I certainly concur with that theology. However, Jesus Himself said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mathew 24:36).

 

So, the question I pose to the reader is how should the believer live in the last days? The bible is filled with inspiration for daily living such as, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16)

 

Are We in the Last Days?

The purpose of this article is to address those young believers who are facing a major world event for the first time, and saying, “The end is clearly around the corner.” That attitude is fine if you live your life according to the verses above. However, that attitude is problematic if you say why try to pursue the work of God through getting married, having children, launching a career, etc., when the end is near?

 

To address the latter group, I want to share a passage from a book I just read: [Who is regulating affairs on this earth today-God, or the Devil? What a scene of confusion and chaos confronts us on every side! Sin is rampant; lawlessness abounds; evil men and seducers are waxing “worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13). Today, everything appears to be out of joint. Unrest, discontent, and lawlessness are rife everywhere, and none can say how soon another great war will be set in motion. Statesmen are perplexed and staggered. Men’s hearts are “failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). Do these things look as though God had full control? Christ is still “despised and rejected of men.” Worse still, He (the Christ of Scripture) is proclaimed and magnified by very few. In the majority of modern pulpits, He is dishonored and disowned. Despite frantic efforts to attract the crowds, the majority of the churches are being emptied rather than filled. And what of the great masses of non-church goers? In the light of Scripture, we are compelled to believe that the “many” are on the Broad Road that leadeth to destruction, and that only "few" are on the Narrow Way that leadeth unto life. Many are declaring that Christianity is a failure, and despair is settling on many faces. Not a few of the Lord’s own people are bewildered, and their faith is being severely tried. And what of God? Does He see and hear? Is He impotent or indifferent? A number of those who are regarded as leaders of Christian-thought told us that God could not help the coming of the late awful War, and that He was unable to bring about its termination. It was said, and said openly, that conditions were beyond God’s control. Do these things look as though God were ruling the world?]

 

When I first read this, I thought parts of this book could have been written last week! However, the book, The Sovereignty of God was written by A. W. Pink and first published in 1917. I also recommend The Redeemer’s Return by the same author. In my opinion, the theology is consistent with scripture and similar to today’s preachers and authors. But what strikes me most profoundly, is that even though the books describe many “current” world events, they could have been written yesterday.

 

So, what’s the point? The point is to address those young believers who ask, “What’s the point of moving forward with life when Christ is coming any day now?” To that group, I point out that young believers 100 years ago were asking the same questions, and quite possibly, young believers 100 years from now might be asking the very same questions!

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