Believe it or not, I heard once that the phrase, “May you live in interesting times” is actually a Chinese curse! But it does seem we live in interesting times. Of course some people are like what Jesus said about folks in the time of Noah, “they knew not till the flood came and carried them all away.” (Matthew 24:39) Some just never pay much attention to “the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3).
On the other hand, there are a lot of people everywhere now who are really concerned that something serious is about to happen. Some thought that 2012 was extremely propitious and that omens abounded for sudden cataclysmic change. Others look at the economic situation in Europe and fear a further slide into times unseen since the 1930’s. And they know what those times brought on. Some closely watch events in the Middle East and see a potential horrific war resulting from a military attack by Israeli against Iran. And if you are an American, you may see dire consequences if the presidential candidate you opposed in the election won the presidency. All in all, there are quite a lot of folks who are seriously concerned about the current crises that are bubbling and boiling around the world.
But not everyone. Perhaps equally if not more are the people who don’t notice or just aren’t disturbed by the current crises. Many are completely preoccupied with their own personal difficulties of finding a job, paying their bills and taking care of their families. And the rest see “the distress of nations, men’s hearts failing them for fear” (Luke 21: 25 & 26) but don’t feel things will get out of hand. Like the saying goes in Australia, “It’ll come round, mate.” Which translates to, “Everything will be ok” or “Don’t worry, be happy.”
But if you’re a Christian and look for times that foreshadow the ones leading up to the Lord’s return, then all this does take on a larger dimension. Are we seeing events that will lead into the final days that Jesus and Jewish prophets foretold? And here is where things get even more divided.
Many are adamant that “this is it”. Conspiracy theories abound. On the other hand, those who don’t believe any of that are equally resolute. They assert that talk of the collapse of society and the economy, a looming one world government and such assorted fears are just coming from absolutely nuts, crazy kooks and often deluded religious extremists.
Who’s right? Is something about to happen? Should we be prepared? Is there even any way to prepare? Which side are you on? Which side am I on?
Here’s what I think: be prepared either way. Honestly, I’ve felt something dire was possibly very near. But I’ve felt that for over 40 years. You may not agree but I believe the world is pretty much held together by belief or confidence. And confidence is fragile, for individuals, societies or the world at large. In my life I came to where God in heaven just pulled the plug on it because I was so far out of His will. And also He had a better plan for me. So He in essence said, “Time’s up.” In the Bible God is quoted as saying, “My Spirit will not always strive with man, for he that being often warned and hardens his heart shall suddenly be destroyed.” (Genesis 6:3, Proverbs 29:1) And on the other hand, God is more patient and merciful than any of us can imagine. But it can come to a time, a tipping point when the goose is cooked, the genie is out of the bottle and you can’t go back to Kansas, to mix several metaphors there.
Will that happen? When? Will we just have another 50 years of muddling through? Or are we really nearing a precipice, descending into worldwide chaos, leading to the final events foretold in the Bible?
I’ve tried to be prepared either way. I want to live for the world to come. That means not placing my trust in “uncertain riches” (I Timothy 6:17) or “laying up treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19). It means that I put my relationship with the Lord first and I’m prepared, as much as is possible, for any sudden events, local or national. My “weapons” and defense aren’t based on physical things, guns or militias. My preparedness is in and of the Spirit of God. My dependence is on His protection and provision. If I’m doing that, then come what breakdown or disruption may be, I’ve put my trust in the “System” that’s never going to break down, the “government” that’s never going to fail me, and the one that’s ultimately going to survive and run this world the way it should be run. Either way, approaching chaos or another 50 years of surviving the storms of this world, my choice is to settle my life on the Rock of God and His will and blessings. What do you think? I hope you’ll do the same.
Mark, I think it is a pretty good article. As Jesus said only the Father knows ‘that’ time. He also talked about signs. I agree, being strong in the Lord is the very best we can do.
Yep, basically we just really need to be ready either way. If serious events, prophesied in the Bible, happen in our lifetime, we should be ready to “instruct many”, like it says in Daniel 11:33. But if not, we need to be able to continue to be a witness to those around us.
Have no idea about timing etc., but for the first time in history the end time scenario is now becoming possible. It’s not all there yet, but one can see the shadows of things to come; people and groups with certain interests wanting to “create” parts of the end time scenario, including the needed technology.
So it’s foolish to just brush it aside saying it can’t happen. Those days are over.
I have even heard non believers warn against parts of the end time scenario without even knowing what the Bible have to say about it.
Exactly. So many people around the world, even if they don’t believe it, still know how that so many people believe we live at the end of this age and that extremely serious changes could be very near. For those who believe in the Lord, we should be ready to show people from the Word of God just what the prophets and Jesus Himself said about the times that would come and the happy ending to the whole story. Not “the end of the world” but the ushering in of the promised Kingdom of God to come on the earth.
A very good article! You are talking about an inner preparedness. It is good to think about the end of everything, as only delusional folks can dream of living forever in such a mess. We need to think more about being prepared both from inner, and outer perspectives. I have come to find out that thoughts of the end really comfort a believer’s heart: the rich guys can’t take everything they own with themselves, no matter how much they have hoarded. It is wise to see everything from this viewpoint. There’s a need for more articles on this.
Amen. Assault rifles and ammunition stockpiles are not the weapons a Christian needs when battling the forces of darkness and Satan in the days to come. It will be the truth, love, faith and knowledge of His Word that will sustain us. See Revelations 12:11
Thank you Mark for writing me. I have been on various mission fields for over 30 years. Now I am in the USA, I have had to change my mindset quite a bit about the good old USA…ha. I enjoy witnessing to folks about the “new world coming”…I see so many that are fearful as we also sometimes become, Lord help us…We shouldn’t but we are not above the attacks of the enemy. The fight has always been on and we are still up against “the rulers of the darkness of this world”. I am seeing also that the Promises of God are even more powerful and God has been quick to fulfill those promises to show us how powerful He will be for us in the times ahead….Just have to keep His Word close to our heart….Love you and thank you for answering me so quickly on my email. xxx
Joanna
Always great to hear from a “veteran of foreign wars”, so to speak. Paul called us to “endure hardness as a good soldier” in II Timothy and your spending 30 years on the mission field is certainly time on the battle field for the Lord. So great to know you are keeping the faith and staying in the fight for Him and those in need. God bless you! Mark
In reality no one knows where the world is heading, for example how we should prepare our kids for the future (That is in the world). So we can be counted to be really special to have all this info from the Lord, His word etc.
GBY, Mark, for pointing us all back to the basics, that´s what is REAL and the only “thing” we can really stand on!
That’s how it is. We all want a perfect society to live in, equality, opportunity, stability. But then the Lord said, “in the world you will have trouble.” So in a sense, it’s a promise: things aren’t going to be perfect in this world. But He also said that He had overcome the world. So whether it’s personal problems or societal problems, the wisest thing to do is to look to the solutions He gave us in His Word. That sounds so outrageously old fashion and naive in today’s “modern world”. But it works.
Mark, That was a very good article and I think you have the right idea to prepare either way.
It would seem foolish to just dismiss all the signs and the overall situation in the Middle East and just say with some supposed certainty, “I know for sure that the Lord won’t come back in my lifetime.” There’s just far too much going on that parallels what the Bible describes as the last days. On the other hand, to just head for the hills and live in a bunker the rest of our lives because we think the endtime is on us, that doesn’t seem like something the Lord is really leading either. So, like you were saying, we need to be prepared either way.
Excellent article on sky falling. It’s a good idea to pay attention to His warnings else He’ll put us in judgment. In the case I’m talking about is the near 60 million babies murdered in this country. Does their blood cry out for justice? (Gen 4:10) Maybe so. Does this then cause us to do what we can to enforce justice? Some mislead people take it upon themselves to cause violence. That in no way is an answer. If this blood lust goes unabated, I cannot see around God’s Judgment on our country.
Some people feel that there are many things like that which our country is accountable for. The Lord keeps track and a watch on the hearts of individuals and on the spiritual condition of society at large. There are both judgments and blessings not only for individuals, but for societies and nations as well. His mercy is great. But there comes a time when He brings the cleansing and purifying of His chastisements and judgments.