“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these LAST DAYS He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and by whom also the universe was created.” (Heb. 1:1-2) The “LAST DAYS” that we are living in AMY, began when Jesus Christ came to this earth as a baby, born of woman. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches…Yes, I AM COMING SOON.” (Rev. 22:16, 20) Traditionally, the book of Revelation has been dated near the end of the first century, around A.D. 96 Paul said, “…brothers and sisters, is that the TIME IS SHORT. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For THIS WORLD IN ITS PRESENT FORM IS PASSING AWAY.” (1 Corin. 7:29-31) Now it’s been over two thousand years since Paul urgently wrote those Spirit-inspired words AMY. And here we are. The world has not yet passed away — but about a hundred human generations have. A “very short” time has turned out to be much longer than nearly everyone, except the Father, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but ONLY THE FATHER.” (Mark 13:32)
As a result of this long wait AMY, many of us struggle to feel the urgency Paul felt, and live like he instructed. How do we live in the last days that have lasted so long and may last even longer? The Bible addresses this question clearly so all Christians may know how to live without pessimism or indifference in these last days. We need to remember a few important truths.
THE TRUTH TO KEEP IN MIND IS:
- GOD MARKS TIME DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO. Moses wrote, “A thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4). And the apostle Peter wrote, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord ONE DAY IS AS A THOUSAND YEARS, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). It’s only been two God-days since Jesus ascended.
- JESUS HIMSELF WARNED US, HE LISTED OFF SOME SIGNS HE SAID MUST TAKE PLACE BEFORE HE RETURNED:
-
- An accumulation of very compelling, powerful false prophets who lead many astray on a scale large enough to be recognized by the church everywhere (Matthew 24:4–5, 11, 24–28).
- A remarkable and frightening amount of natural and national calamities (Matthew 24:7–8).
- An unprecedented level of persecution of Christians, along with an imminent threat of global human extinction (Matthew 24:21–22).
- And the “gospel of the kingdom [would] be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations” (Matthew 24:14).
We need to live like, “This very night your life will be demanded from you.” (Luke 12:20)
-Bill Stockham