THE END TIMES
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
READING: MATTHEW 24
Here are a few of the great questions we received from you about the End Times:
People have pondered the end of the world since before Christ's time. Even Jesus' disciples wanted the inside scoop, asking about the timing and signs of His return and the end of the world (Matthew 24:3). These questions followed Jesus' prediction of the Temple's destruction, which resonated with the disciples who knew the prophets had foretold desolation and the Messiah's coming. Expecting Jesus' arrival to signify the end, they understandably wanted to know what to expect.
Jesus described signs of future calamity, some fulfilled shortly after His time, others still evident today, like wars, famines, earthquakes, false prophets and Messiahs. Despite numerous theories on the end times (both in their day and now), no one, including the Apostles, knew precisely what to expect. And Jesus didn’t offer any comprehensive explanations or timelines. Quite the opposite, he told His disciples not to trust anyone who claimed to know more than he shared, “no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows” (Matthew 24:36).
Approaching eschatology (the study of death, judgment, and final destiny) should be done with great humility and a willingness to engage the tensions of the unknown. If Jesus Himself was willing to submit to the unknown of His Father’s plans, we should be as well. What was most important to Jesus is whether or not we’re ready (Matthew 24:44). He stated the time was near, a sentiment echoed by the Apostles, including John in Revelation, "Blessed is the one who reads... because the time is near" (Revelations 1:1 Revelations 1:3). That was 2,000 years ago and it’s as true today as it was then.
The disciples, like us, probably had a different concept of ‘near’, but GOD’s perspective on time is entirely different from ours. Our linear understanding of time influences our limited view of the sequence of events like the rapture and judgement of the living and the dead. This doesn’t seem to concern GOD. His lack of specificity about this suggests that it shouldn’t be our focus or concern. He’s much more concerned about accomplishing His mission. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
GOD’s great love and mercy for those yet to be saved compel Him toward patience. If we feel a sense of longing and grief over people in our lives who have not chosen to follow Jesus, consider GOD’s anguish over all His creation. We can't fully comprehend GOD’s justice and mercy at Judgment, but His Word reveals His urgency for all to decide about Jesus before death. Jesus urged that we should have this same sense of urgency (Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:16-20). He has partnered with us, His Church, in this mission and we should not delay, because the eternity of people He dearly loves is at stake.
All that said, there are a few key things we can anticipate with confidence because they’re spoken about by the Prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles:
While eternity is unfathomable, we can trust that being with Jesus will bring unimaginable joy. This great hope should compel us to action as we join with GOD in His redemptive work here and now.
- “Will all people get the chance to meet Jesus when they die and choose him as their savior?”
- “Do we sleep when we die until a final judgement day for all? Or do we have an immediate judgement day and go to heaven right away?”
- “How can Heaven be Heaven if your children aren’t there due to a rejection of faith?”
- “How do we even begin to comprehend the idea of eternity? Being human and existing in a place with a date and time, I can’t fathom what forever means.”
People have pondered the end of the world since before Christ's time. Even Jesus' disciples wanted the inside scoop, asking about the timing and signs of His return and the end of the world (Matthew 24:3). These questions followed Jesus' prediction of the Temple's destruction, which resonated with the disciples who knew the prophets had foretold desolation and the Messiah's coming. Expecting Jesus' arrival to signify the end, they understandably wanted to know what to expect.
Jesus described signs of future calamity, some fulfilled shortly after His time, others still evident today, like wars, famines, earthquakes, false prophets and Messiahs. Despite numerous theories on the end times (both in their day and now), no one, including the Apostles, knew precisely what to expect. And Jesus didn’t offer any comprehensive explanations or timelines. Quite the opposite, he told His disciples not to trust anyone who claimed to know more than he shared, “no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows” (Matthew 24:36).
Approaching eschatology (the study of death, judgment, and final destiny) should be done with great humility and a willingness to engage the tensions of the unknown. If Jesus Himself was willing to submit to the unknown of His Father’s plans, we should be as well. What was most important to Jesus is whether or not we’re ready (Matthew 24:44). He stated the time was near, a sentiment echoed by the Apostles, including John in Revelation, "Blessed is the one who reads... because the time is near" (Revelations 1:1 Revelations 1:3). That was 2,000 years ago and it’s as true today as it was then.
The disciples, like us, probably had a different concept of ‘near’, but GOD’s perspective on time is entirely different from ours. Our linear understanding of time influences our limited view of the sequence of events like the rapture and judgement of the living and the dead. This doesn’t seem to concern GOD. His lack of specificity about this suggests that it shouldn’t be our focus or concern. He’s much more concerned about accomplishing His mission. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
GOD’s great love and mercy for those yet to be saved compel Him toward patience. If we feel a sense of longing and grief over people in our lives who have not chosen to follow Jesus, consider GOD’s anguish over all His creation. We can't fully comprehend GOD’s justice and mercy at Judgment, but His Word reveals His urgency for all to decide about Jesus before death. Jesus urged that we should have this same sense of urgency (Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:16-20). He has partnered with us, His Church, in this mission and we should not delay, because the eternity of people He dearly loves is at stake.
All that said, there are a few key things we can anticipate with confidence because they’re spoken about by the Prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles:
- Jesus is coming back (Matthew 24:36-42, Acts 1:11, Hebrews 9:28, Revelations 1:7-8, John 14:1-3)
- All of Creation will be restored with a New Heavens and New Earth (Revelations 21, Isaiah 65-66)
- Those who have chosen to follow Jesus in this life will spend eternity in resurrected bodies with our Savior (Job 19:25-27, Daniel 2:3, 1 Corinthians 15:42-52; Philippians 3:20-21, Romans 8:22-24)
While eternity is unfathomable, we can trust that being with Jesus will bring unimaginable joy. This great hope should compel us to action as we join with GOD in His redemptive work here and now.
JOURNALING QUESTIONS
- What is most difficult about the concepts and images of the end times for you to grasp and why?
- How does your understanding of GOD’s mercy and patience impact your view of final judgement?
- When you consider the urgency of GOD's mission, how are you compelled to respond? Who has He placed in your life as an invitation to partner in His redemptive work?
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Cam Huxford’s teaching on the End Times & Revelation
Bible Project’s video introductions to Revelation, Part One & Part Two and podcast on Five Strategies for Reading Revelation
Randy Alcorn’s unpacking of C.S. Lewis on Heaven and the New Earth: God’s Eternal Remedy to the Problem of Evil and Suffering
Bible Project’s video introductions to Revelation, Part One & Part Two and podcast on Five Strategies for Reading Revelation
Randy Alcorn’s unpacking of C.S. Lewis on Heaven and the New Earth: God’s Eternal Remedy to the Problem of Evil and Suffering