It's not the end of the world
65I've studied and written a lot about Bible prophecy. I fully believe that Jesus could return at any moment. With that said, I'm sick of Christians stating that the latest disaster is proof of the end of the world or that we are living in the end times. I have watched traffic on my website spike every time that there is turmoil in the Middle East or some natural disaster strikes.
Jesus clearly stated that no one knows the day or the hour of His return. In Matthew 24:36 He stated that He didn't even know the time of His return, only God the Father knew. So, anyone who claims to have figured out the day of Jesus' return is a liar as they claim to know more than even Jesus.
Jesus told us that there would be signs like birthpains that signaled his return. Everytime that something bad happens in the world some Christians want to attribute it to a sign that Jesus is returning soon. The fact of the matter is that there have been disasters happening around the world since the fall of man. Today with 24/7 news coverage and the internet we know about every disaster as it happens. If a disaster happened on the other side of the world two hundred years ago it would be months before people found out about it if they heard of it at all.
Every generation since Jesus ascended to heaven has believed that He would return in their lifetime. Every generation has been wrong until this point. Famed theologian Jonathan Edwards was absolutely convinced that Christ would return in his lifetime. Every generation has seen signs that have convinced them that Jesus was returning.
There will be a day that Jesus returns. It could be today, it could be a hundred years from now. We shouldn't make the mistake of believing that every disaster or turmoil in the Middle East is proof of Jesus' imminent return. Imminent means that it could happen at any time and that is the point. We should be ready for the return of Christ at any time. That is the most important thing to remember in the midst of disasters and turmoil.
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I think we will always be looking for the end which kind of makes the Bible's statement about the end a tough act. It says in the hour you least expect, and if we are always looking for it to end, that hour will never come.
We are commanded to watch and wait though. What you refer to is the signs of the times and Christians who can read them trying to alert those who cannot or do not want to. No fear, God is in control. Excited, yes!
I agree with most of the points you make in your Hub. In my opinion many Christians take their eschatology from the daily newspapers instead of the Scriptures.
However, there is one sentence in particular that I would question:
'Imminent means that it could happen at any time and that is the point. We should be ready for the return of Christ at any time.'
That is not the meaning of 'imminent'. Imminent is more conclusive and specific about the timing.
According to the dictionary 'imminent' means:
Liable to happen soon; About to occur; Expected to happen soon.
When Jesus and the Apostles constantly made statements of imminence, they did not mean 2000 years later and counting.
PlanksandNails Level 5 Commenter 11 months ago
Many "Christians" seem to provoke fear amongst each other and use their own religion to justify the times in order to coerce the masses that, "it's the end of the world!"
Instead, let us be URGENT in showing the love of Christ by expanding His kingdom, instead of the man made religious ones.
Why is there so much fear that Jesus is returning soon? I can't wait for that glorious time.
If we truly have Jesus Christ in us, we will be ready.