The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time-Genesis 6:5 

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”-Matthew 24:12

Our God shall come and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.- Psalm 50:3

 

The End Has Now Begun

As God looks upon His world
Does He see greed, disease, and pain
Caused by the divisiveness we’re reaping
From acts of hate sown in His name?
Where He planned for brotherhood and unity,
Nations living side by side in peace,
Does He see a world of rivalry,
That takes the most and gives the least?
Does He see hate everywhere
His people displaced by wars we fight?
And where He once created Paradise
Does He see a dying planet plagued by blight?
As God contemplates His world,
Is He grief-stricken by the sight
Of how we’ve made so much go wrong
From all that He created to go right?
As He ponders the state of His world
And what His beloved has become,
I wonder will God soon declare,
“The end has now begun!”?
©Linda Troxell 11/25/2017

 

Sometimes I wonder what God thinks when He looks down at the world in its present state. Oh, I know that nothing happens that God did not foreknow. But still it’s hard to believe He knew we would get so out of control. When I see all of the ugliness and willful greed and cruelty, I experience cognitive dissonance. Because it seems to me that there are more people than ever seeking God and pursuing Christianity, but at the same time it seems that the world has never been so full of hate, cruelty, and intolerance. I guess it isn’t really true, The Bible and history tell us that some pretty bad things happened in the past. Still, I wonder what He thinks when He looks at the mess that has become of the beautiful paradise He once created

I have heard some say that God doesn’t really see the world in the condition it is now in. For Him, they say, it is still the paradise He created. Just as He doesn’t see us as irrevocably broken but merely souls in need of His healing. I don’t know if that’s true today, but we know that before the flood God was grieved by what He saw when He looked down upon the earth: The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time-Genesis 6:5  It seems to me that He would have to choose to see the world as He created it in order to tolerate what we have done to this planet-again!. Still, I realize that as a finite being with a finite mind, I can never comprehend what God sees, thinks or does. However, the Bible clearly tells us that this world will end. It even tells us the details of how in the book of Revelations.

Revelations, the book of the Bible which gives a description of these events, is among the most difficult to read because it’s highly symbolic. Most people cannot get through it and if they do they are more confused not less. So, I would guess that the average Christian relies on someone else to explain it to them; their pastor, a more mature Christian, or maybe even another book. That’s why, in considering the teachings of the end times, there is so much confusion. So many interpretations of the Revelations’ scripture contradict one another and so many people have conflicting opinions that it is very difficult to understand what is actually going to happen.

I think it is safe to say that the earth will be embroiled in corruption and sin will prevail before the destruction of the earth. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”-Matthew 24:12 But that can and has been said of almost every age before the birth of Jesus and since Jesus’ ascension. I think it is safe to say that the faithful will be having a difficult time being faithful as it will not be easy to practice Christianity prior to the end. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me”-Matthew 24:9. But again that can be said of many different ages in many different places in the world. So, I think about the only thing we can safely say and still stay consistent with the prophecy is that He could come at any time. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”-Matthew 24:36  So, we should always be ready.

I think the Bible is clear about the fact that there will be no question that Jesus has come once He does. Scripture is clear that He will come in a very public way, Psalm 50:3 says Our God shall come and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. I think the Bible is also clear that the wicked will not be safe. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.-2 Thessalonians 2:8 Thankfully, it is just as clear about the glorious fate of the faithful. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him,” –1 Corinthians 2:9

The end times is terrifying to some and something to look forward to for others. I think much of the fear comes from not knowing and not understanding what exactly is going to happen. It does seem, that even though the end result is beautiful and desirous, the nightmare leading up to that is frightening. Coupled the uncertainty of when this will all take place and the uncertain details and you have something most humans fear greatly; the unknown. So, it makes sense for it to be frightening. I am no big fan of the unknown, so I understand. However, I cope with that fear the same as I cope with any fear. I trust God to protect me and I let it go. I pray for God’s protection and I remember that I am not one of the wicked, so ultimately, I will be in paradise with my Lord where the blight, war, famine, disease, and pain are all a dim memory.

 

Points for Prayer and Pondering

Have you read the Book of Revelations? Were you able to understand it? If not, did you get someone to explain it to you? Who? Are you satisfied with their interpretation?

How do you feel about the End Times? Are you afraid or are you looking forward to it? Say a bit about why you are looking forward or are afraid.

Do you believe we are in the End Times? Why or why not?