In BSF, our leader talks a lot about the end times, the Apocalypse, the second coming, and signs in the Bible. I tend to tune out when she does. Why?
No one knows when Jesus is coming again. Period. The Bible is very, very vague. We know it’s going to happen. Yet man has this need to predict the future (something only God can do) so man tries to tell us, “The End is Near!”
Here’s my view: If I’m ready for the Second Coming and so is my family, does it really matter when it happens? Sure, it’d be great to be here when Jesus comes again. But if He doesn’t, I’ll see Him soon enough in Heaven. So why worry about it? The Bible tells us not to worry about anything.
I’m glad that Isaiah told us to expect the Messiah and Revelation reveals what’s going to happen once Jesus does return. It gives me hope when the world is in chaos.
Yet, I don’t dwell on it. I don’t sit around worrying. I try to take my life day by day and strive to be like Jesus. I’ve learned even planning for the future can sometimes fall apart as quick as a stock market fall.
We don’t have TV in my home. I get all my news off the Internet and lately I’ve barely been reading it. I just can’t stand it. One, I think it has become a bit of an idol in my life (the Computer in general) so I’m trying to limit my time on the Internet. And two, I can barely stand reading the tragedies around the world, the idiocy of our government, and celebrities who have nothing better to do than ruin their lives and their families. It drives me insane and I got enough of that in my life already!
So when my BSF leader asks if we’re paying attention to the signs, my reply, “No. I’m not. I got other things going on.”
I believe in my heart Jesus will come again. I don’t really think it will happen in my lifetime but if it does I’ll be ready. Through my daily life and not through any other special preparation or worry.
Any other thoughts?
I agree. I am sure there will be those who disagree and say that we should be very concerned about the end times. However, even Jesus tells us to be ready at all times. When we are ready the timing of the end times will make no difference.
I feel the same way too! I know then end times are coming and truly I hope its in my lifetime but I don’t stress about it. Actually the closer I get to God the less I worry about it. It doesn’t really matter to me when it happens.The only people who should be worried are the people that aren’t ready for Christ’s coming and I continue to pray for them. :}
My thoughts exactly!
You are right, we don’t know when He will come. BUT, it does matter! We want to be prepared and know what’s coming. And the most important thing is we don’t want our loved ones to go through the great tribulation. We want them to be raptured and in heaven with us. So if we have friends and family who don’t know Jesue, we better get to work. In my blog at devotionsbylv.blogspot.com there are 2-3 post about the end times. I think you will find them very interesting and informative.
When we read Revelation 1:3, God says “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” We don’t understand it, but we will be blessed when we read it. So don’t let Revelation scare you.
The “rapture” doesn’t exist in the bible.
Alan, the word rapturo, which is Latin for rapture, does not appear in the Bible. The Greek equivalent is harpadzo and does exist in I Thess. 4:17. It means to catch up or to snatch away.
I think you nailed it!
I do find it a bit worrisome that there is a crack pot running Iran who seems to believe that it is his manifest destiny to initiate Armageddon. I keep reminding myself that Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow, each day has enough trouble of it’s own.
He says not to worry, but that doesn’t assume ignorance. If the Lord didn’t want us to think about the end times, then why is it in the bible? He obviously wants us to ponder it, and watch for His coming. We just need to do so in the measure outlined in His Word. To totally not think about it is both unbiblical and foolish. Intentional ignorance reeks of denial and laziness. It’s so much easier to be comfortable in this life than ponder the reality of the coming of the end times and to live in light of it.
I agree. Jesus says, no one knows the time, except the father. If even Jesus doesn’t know, then it is presumptious of humans to try to interpret signs and omens in hope of predicting it.
On question 4a of Lesson 26, the NIV translation puzzled me. Your answer reflected the NIV.
you wrote: “The purpose was to make atonement to God for your sins and to cleanse yourself of sins so you will be clean before the Lord.”
When I looked at Leviticus in the King James it had a very different emphasis: “v30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
31It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
32And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:
33And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.”
The NIV leaves the priest essentially out of the picture.
I agree! What will happen at the end of time is debated among Christians, and isn’t perhaps entirely relevant to daily living. But perhaps it is of some value to know what to expect. However, we should never “worry” about it. I do think there is great value though, in thinking about eternity…regularly…even daily. Jesus taught us to pray that the Father’s will be done on earth “as it is in Heaven.” So all our relationships should be thought of, and prayed for, through that “eternal lens.” We’ll have great stuff to do and experience in Heaven! Let’s prepare well, and let’s help others come with us…can’t wait!
My sentiments ~ exactly.
I think we should be very aware and informed about what is going on in our world today. It is exciting to see God’s Word come to life right before us and realize that what was prophesied long ago is taking place now. I am not worried about the future because I know my future is with my Lord. Much of the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, points to what is coming, and I believe every word! We should be listening closely to what is going on around us, so we can be witnesses to people (our neighbors, friends, family, homeless, etc) who possibly do not know the signs and how these daily events are part of God’s plan, and that Jesus is our only Salvation. How can we tell them if we ourselves close our ears or are not concerned enough to listen and relate these events to God’s Word. The time is getting shorter. Personally, I am so excited, but I want those I love to realize what is going on and to accept Christ! There are so many passages in the Bible that speak of end times and how we should live. I Thessalonians 5 is one chapter that is great. In this chapter we are admonished in many areas – one is “Do not put our the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” We are to be a light in the darkness.
There’s some really good reasons to work at understanding what the Bible says about end times! Revelation 1:3 says “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 talks about Jesus’ second coming and that we are to stand firm. If we understand end times, we know where history is going so we can stand firm with all the craziness of the world around us. Acts 3:19-21 tells us to repent…that he may send the Christ. So working to understand end times may bless us, it may keep us standing firm, and it may lead us to repentance! These are just a few good, Biblical reasons. Just some encouraging words, I hope, as I’m always encouraged by your blog! Blessings to you!
I agree not to worry but to prepare. I do get concerned when christians try and predict Jesus’s coming because some do it in a way that offends others. We should always tell people about Jesus and his return firmly with love but not scare tactics.
Christians worldwide must unite to plan for very unique prepping needs
In the book of Matthew, Chapter 24, Jesus warned His disciples about the signs of the end of the age and of His coming. He told them about the increasing wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, famine, and diseases. He went on to instruct us to flee to the mountains when the anti-Christ steps in for his three and a half year reign during the Great Tribulation period to avoid being persecuted and put to death. Christians must be wise and faithful to secretly unite to thwart the enemy’s plans, for our God has plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future- even in the perilous end times.
we must be ready at all time… it will happen! I get upset when people will try and predict when this will happen. No one knows, so just be prepared and live a Christian life.
The only concern I have is that the Word of God says to watch and wait. Also, the disciples and Paul lived with an expectation and hope if the Lord’s return. You may have shifted a little too far to the left in the “continuum” of what people believe about “watching the signs”. It’s good not to go “Harold camping”, but to go too far inte other direction is intentional ignorance (because let’s face it, ignorance is bliss.). Be careful that you’re not watching for signs. Stick to what and how the Word instructs you to watch and wait. Otherwise, you may think you’re ready, but find yourself w/o oil in your lamp the day the bridegroom actually comes. Not to mention, if you don’t want to think too much about it, why on earth would you feel any urgency to love others and share the Word? my husband said “Jesus’ coming may come to you in the form of dying. Are you ready for that?”
I hope I don’t offend anybody, but I’m not really one of those people who look forward to the second coming. don’t get me wrong, I’m not an enemy of the lord, and I do think it’s wonderful that he will arrive one day to finally bring eternal peace to those who believe in him. however, I do have my reasons for being worried about it. I just feel as if I can’t go on living, knowing that it could happen at any time, because I worry that it’ll happen before I ever get a chance to accomplish anything in life, or that it’ll happen right when I’m in the middle of making a mistake. I’m in my late 20s and havn’t really been able to live, because I’ve been struggling with severe mental issues for many years. mental issues that mostly stem from painful memories of my past. the devil knows that I know the truth so he does every little thing he can to bring me down and keep me away from Jesus. that’s why I have such anxiety about the second coming. can anyone give me some advice? because I just can’t live in this worry.