Every end of the Church Year and Advent ought to be a rather solemn reminder that we ought not be looking to the media voices of the world for that which God has already announced in His Son. Are we in the last days? Are not those days characterized more by Christ than the evils that have us so upset? The “end” of all things is Christ. We are waiting for Him and not for some series of events that overshadow Him. We are not looking for leaders or governments or nations or even secretive groups to announce what God has already said. The evil that will certainly be manifest in the "end" is not the primary thing but a secondary effect of the coming of Christ Himself. We do not hasten nor delay His coming and we are not in charge of God's own calendar. The events of the world have been part of the end times ever since the coming of Christ began what He is now also bringing to an end. If we are watching the news to tell us what God has not, we are living in the delusion of our own minds and not by the Word of Christ. There is no promise to those who predict the end more closely to its actual coming but the promise is given to those who endure without succumbing to the great temptation to take your eyes off Jesus.
I must admit that I hardly think of the end times. Surely I lament in the evils that have become so commonplace that we no longer are surprised by them, much less shocked. But I am not looking to the affairs of the Middle East or anywhere else to inform me of that which even Jesus insists He knows not the day nor the hour. St. Paul reminds us where our focus should be and would urge us to consider with Jesus where our treasure is, our hearts ought to be also. So in giving us encouragement and even hope, He points us to those things that belong to the Lord and bids us to keep our attention on them:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Phil 4:8)
There is a great spiritual battle being waged among us and within us. It is not between the forces of evil under the reins of the devil against the forces of good under the reins of Jesus -- of which we might be tempted to see ourselves as everything from spectators to warriors. That battle has been done. It is the once for all of Calvary and the Empty Tomb. Indeed, the battle we find ourselves in is to decide the focus of our hearts. It is the battle of the true, the noble, the just, the pure, the lovely, the good report, the virtues, and the praiseworthy, all the things which have God's approval upon them against all that do not. Fear and curiosity may pique our interest as we try to make heads or tails about the great news of the day but in the end all of which the news speaks will pass away like the wind. Our battle is not to march like an army of God across the plains of the earth in order to plant His flag. No, ours is to proclaim Christ the beginning and end of all things and to proclaim Him so that others will know with us His peace and protection among all the displeasing things that unfold around us as well as the glittering temptations of this moment. Do not despair but do not take your courage from any sign that we are making progress against evils in us and in the world. No, take your courage from the goodness of the Lord, from His mercy that endures forever, and from His grace sufficient to guard you through this life to everlasting life. That is enough for me and for you. The end is always near but Christ is nearer. Thanks be to God!
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End times eschatology gives the studious Christian much to digest, and theologians argue about the manner in which the scriptures will be fulfilled. It is confusing and Lord knows there is a mix of truth and error in our discernment of the order in which certain events precede the Lord’s return. I think that Matthew 24 and Mark 13 are where we must look first. Secondly, read 2Thessalonians 2: in its entirety. The first four verses of chapter 2 say much; Paul reminds us, “ Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together in Him, we ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit, or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” Please read the rest of the chapter 2. Another key to how the word of God points out our manner of response to the mystery of the unfolding of end time events is found in 2Timothy4:1-5, Paul notes, “I charge you, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up fir themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. …..But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” Remember that our brother Paul wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit shortly before his execution. Like Paul, many of us may pass away before the coming of the Lord. Either way, we will be with Him already, or rising to meet Him. That is the confidence and hope, and the promise we have from the Lord, and we should allay our fears and anxiety over the events which are coming as the Lord wills, and according to His sovereign timing. Soli Deo Gloria
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