Eschaton/ἔσχατον: last, final, the furthest, extreme-end, the consummation of history.
[Contemplations on Matthew 24]
I will start by saying I am not and End Times adherent that believes in a pre-Tribulation, pre-Millennial rapture as it is commonly understood in Dispensational theology. You know, the "Left Behind" stuff. So if you're looking for some comparison of what is currently going on in America to the Book of Revelation and Daniel...look elsewhere. My feet are planted firmly on the ground and I am not going to try to predict something the Lord said no one could. But I digress...
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If we are honest, we live in a time of deception and lies from the level of government all the way down to the individual. People’s ideologies have become so divisive that they have even divided family members. The divisiveness has encouraged violence. People often remain silent for fear of being hounded, demeaned or injured. As I’ve posted in other posts, one of the main points of contention even though many on the left won’t admit it, is being Christian. There is clear animosity and open hostility to it at all levels. Christians should not be surprised.
Matthew 10:34-36 “Do not think that I have come to bring
peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have
come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a
daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those
of his own household.
We’ve gotten to a point where we need to know where people stand ideologically before we even begin to talk or deal with them. If we don’t we put ourselves at risk. We were told this would happen in simpler words
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:22
In times of trouble, Satan plies deluded people with deceptions of saviors and salvation, which are not real, because in time of trouble people are most ready to receive anything which promises them relief or release from the trials and problems. Many end up embracing delusions, lies or propaganda.
The Words forewarning of the danger from false prophets should be heeded and taken seriously. This includes those who would make claims to ‘truths’ outside of the theology and religion. Secular leaders that brainwash and misguide for their own self-interests should be viewed as nothing more than cult members. The doctrine of Election does not give us complete mental security, but the elect should make use of this fact for diligence and watchfulness. That is why Jesus said that in the latter days
“…false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24
The key words being ‘if possible’. It’s not possible the elect or chosen of God will lose salvation but they can be deceived. He is driving home the point just how confusing and awry and distorted things are going to get in the world. We hear it now almost every day from all corners of society, “Everything is upside down, I don’t get it, I don’t understand what is going on.” These statements are even being made by Christians.
What is implied in Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24 is that this confusion is intended to confuse and mislead people to their own condemnation. He is implying that Christians need to be extraordinarily vigilant in the days we’re currently living in…and we are living in the latter days.
Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one
knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Here is where I draw a hard line with predictions about the end or the eschaton or what is often referred to as the End of Days. We are not to prognosticate but we should be diligent to recognize the signs.
Jesus stressed the certainty of what the signs would be. He claimed that His predictions had the same authority and eternal validity as God's words. The outcome would be certain, the timing would not be. Jesus deliberately discouraged His disciples from setting dates. The certainty of fulfillment should not lead people to conclude that they could predict the time of fulfillment exactly. The reason he says what He does serves another purpose. It is for people to be warned of the impeding danger and be diligent to protect themselves and not be duped.
Watchful preparation is necessary since no one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return. Since we know the days will be filled with dangers we need to stay on our toes. We do not know the year or the month either. The alternative would be living life as usual without regard to the King's return. It also leaves one open to what we’re seeing now…violence and willful propaganda in attempts to suppress or repress believers. He warned us so we would not become victims.
How it will the world end? It will come while non-believers, as a rule, are thinking of everything else but God. They will be unprepared…too preoccupied. What do we know for certain about these days? They will be like the days of Noah. What were they like? Just as life was progressing in a ‘business as usual’ mode for non-believers, Noah was preparing for the worst physically and spiritually. People on that day will be found as they will remain in eternity. Saved or unsaved. Peaceful or violent. Immoral or moral. He was leaving nothing to chance. It wasn’t so much about the world being swept away in punishment because of their evil, that was a given. It was about who he was addressing: The disciples.
Jesus was warning them and us to be observant and attentive to worldly events. Being caught up in the daily grind often makes us blind to things outside our immediate view. Even suffering and persecution repeatedly can have a numbing and distracting effect on a person. We see this in the political persecution and religious persecution that has occurred intermittently over the last 10 years. We get lost in our own distractions and suffering. Jesus warns us not to allow this. In these circumstances it is easy to miss even the most remarkable signs. I suggest the overt evil and violence we are seeing is one of the ‘signs’ currently in view (Matthew 24:10’s ‘hate one another’ and 24:12’s ‘lawlessness’).
The bottom line is this and its simple: Stop predicting dates but by all means, be on guard against the nastiness and viciousness sure to be coming and in some cases is already here. Keep your head down but don’t cower. We’re not doormats; we’re to be out spreading the word. This doesn’t allow us to hide, hunker down or recoil. Be bold. Protect yourself as you are able. Don’t be so distracted by the worlds cruelty that we lose our way. We need to remain watchful and ready. Be wide awake with eyes on Christ…for He is the way.
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