(NOTE: These are my notes for the 1st installment of “THE END” series at Victory Fort. I’m posting this for those who might have missed the verses I tackled because I went through them quite fast.)
This year is supposed to be the end of time – 2012. Not only because of the movie, but because some believe that this is based on the Mayan calendar.
Throughout history there have been 242 failed predictions and counting, from Montanus to Harold Camping. (site here)
There’s a fascination on knowing when Jesus will come and thereby usher in the end of time as we know it.
As Wayne Grudem says in his Systematic Theology book,
“(People) can make reasonable predictions about future events based on patterns of past occurrences, but in the nature of human experience, it is clear that human beings of themselves cannot know the future.”
But at the same breath, God does give us verses in Scripture to let us know a few things we can expect.
1. When will this happen?
Acts 1:6-7. He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Matthew 24:36.”No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Matthew 24:42. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 24:44. “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
The degree to which we actually long for Christ’s return is a measure of the spiritual condition of our lives at the moment.
Philippians 1:23-24. “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”
2. How will this happen?
It will be visible, personal, public and sudden.
VISIBLE.
Acts 1:11. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
PERSONAL.
Luke 21:27. “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
PUBLIC.
Revelation 1:7. “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him.”
SUDDEN.
2 Peter 3:10. “The day of the Lord will come like a thief…”
3. What should we do?
When the disciples were asking Jesus when He’ll come back, He told them this.
Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We must focus on the task rather than on the time of His coming. His kingdom will continue to advance.
Isaiah 9:7. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
Matthew 11:12. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
Jesus told us to keep doing His work until He comes back.
Luke 19:13. “Occupy till I come.”
The way we view the future will dictate the decisions we make today.
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