The other day we were discussing buying something for the house. The obvious questions were those of style, color and practicality. Certainly the things any of us would consider in making a purchase. The item up for discussion has a life span of 20, 30 even 40 years. It is not something that if the proper one is purchased would last even a lifetime. Thus, if better quality the item you purchase will last longer. I wanted to say that if she felt in was necessary to the style she wanted and it cost more than that was fine. Her response was so interesting, “we don’t need to spend that kind of money we won’t even be here in 20 years”. She was saying that the 2 of us, if Jesus doesn’t come first, will have died. She is probably right because, well that makes us then 90 years old. I know, I know you never tell a ladies age. So if it is still in the text of this blog when you read it, know the editor, Elaine, approved it.
The topic of the end of our life on earth has been around since the beginning of time. It will also be around when the end of time comes. It is a fact of life and is something mankind has always wondered and thought about. It is not a bad thing however it has to be kept in a healthy environment. As a Christian, it is one that is easy to do even with the varying thoughts and ideas about the end of life occurs. Now you think I was talking about physical death. No, no that part is easy Scripture tells us quite simply “it is appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment” Hebrews 9:27 and death is something we all have to look forward to and the question is simply how will it happen.
There are some of you, and actually I hope all of you who read the blog regularly, that know it is here where I will always mention the coming of Jesus for the church. Known as the rapture though the word does not appear in Scripture. The day when Jesus will return and receive the church, born again believers, both dead and alive in the air. In 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul is writing to address the issue and says-
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformedabout those who sleep in death,so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Now there is another Scripture in which Jesus speaks as to when that time will happen. It is not and cannot be identified as to a specific date because the detail is not provided. We don’t know the specifics but we can get a sense of the times.
In Matthew 24:14 Jesus says-And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
This particular statement made by Jesus Christ our Savior is one that we look to as an indicator regarding the “end time’s”. You may not think of the end time as another does and that is certainly understandable. The reason is that there is no absolute clarity in Scripture as to what exactly happens and when.
There are things we know, although there maybe difference as to timing. We know Jesus is coming back. We know He is coming back for His bride which is the church. That is those who are alive when He returns and know Him through the Gospel. As we just learned the “…gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nation….”. We know He will establish an earthly Kingdom for 1,000 years. We know there will be a time of Great Tribulation for a period of 7 years. We know that Satan will be defeated and with those who have followed him cast into hell for eternity.
In what I have just shared, there are differing views as to the events and their position in the end times. Currently, I am reading the Book of the Revelation in my personal journey through the Bible. I have read, studied and preached on its content many times over the years. Today, I am still as uncertain as to things that happen but also firm in my belief that all that is there will come to fruition. We may not understand but what God says will happen will happen. We may not recognize the timing or the sequence but He does and that is all that matters.
The gospel of the kingdom in which Jesus refers is often understood to be the gospel message in which we all share Jesus with others. Today we see that gospel being shared all over the world. In many respects, more so than ever before in history. Not simply with missionaries and churches but with technology like the internet, radio and television. It is actually very easy to see how an event in Revelation 11:7-12 NLT would easily be fulfilled today.
“When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them. And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified. And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them. But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.”
Where are we on the end times clock? Close, very close, my friend. So my question for each of you today is this, do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? If you do, Praise the Lord and if you don’t please know God loves you and sent His Son to die for your sins. Believe in Him today and that He is risen and you shall be saved. If I can help you in this decision please use the Contact Me on the website ElbertNasworthy.com and I will contact you.
In God’s Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy