My recent article in the St. Clair Times. I wrote it long before the crazy rapture predictions made the recent headlines. Enjoy!
Many seasoned preachers and spiritual leaders seem to believe we are living in the “last days.”
As health conditions and technology trends go up, it seems that morality is going down. Family units are disintegrating and spiritual conditions are worsening. Are we living in the last days?
The Bible teaches that in the latter times — in this final stage of human history as we know it — bad things will happen. The “last days” or “latter times” refer to the time between Christ’s ascension into Heaven after his Resurrection and before His future return. We have been living in the latter times from the days of the early church until today.
The Bible makes it clear that “some will abandon the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1). Certainly, this is true.
The entire continent of Europe is facing a crisis of faith with regards to Christianity. In England and Germany, remarkable church buildings are being converted into coffee houses, thrift shops and office complexes. Here in the United States, many researchers identify the fastest growing religious group as those who are “nonaffiliated.”
The impact of evil in the last days seems to be at more intense levels today. Sometimes we think of the “last days” as a short period of time just before the return of Christ.
However, for centuries we have seen evil ebb and flow with an upward trend. Evil does not always present itself in terms of illegal drugs, crime, genocide and oppressive politics.
I do not believe that the Bible was envisioning satanic worship or marginal cults when it spoke of the rise of evil in the last days. Often evil originates in boardrooms, universities, churches and white-collar neighborhoods. Evil is the deterioration of those things which are sacred, such as honor, integrity, love and justice.
So, if the days are becoming more evil, what should we do? Should we throw our hands up and say, “We cannot make a difference. We should not even try.”
On the contrary, God’s choicest servants shine brightest when things are at their darkest. Perseverance and faithfulness is essential when things are difficult. Your small influence may be used by God to bring hope and deliverance to someone who is struggling with temptation and trials.
In the last days, those who believe in the return of Jesus Christ have two important jobs.
First, we must be watching and waiting for Jesus Christ. We look with eager anticipation to the eastern sky. We know that Jesus could come at any moment! How exciting!
Second, faithful Christians must be salt and light (Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount) to an evil generation in need of transformation and purpose. Wherever we go, we must share the good news that Jesus Christ offers forgiveness to all who will believe.
So, we live in the last days. We want Jesus Christ to come back and right all wrongs. We long for a better place — beyond all of the troubles and concerns of this world. We envision a place with no cancer, wheelchairs, addictions, abuse or pain.
However, while we are here in this old world, we are here to make a positive difference.
— Pastor Chris
Read more: St. Clair Times - Clergy Corner Living for Christ in the last days
As health conditions and technology trends go up, it seems that morality is going down. Family units are disintegrating and spiritual conditions are worsening. Are we living in the last days?
The Bible teaches that in the latter times — in this final stage of human history as we know it — bad things will happen. The “last days” or “latter times” refer to the time between Christ’s ascension into Heaven after his Resurrection and before His future return. We have been living in the latter times from the days of the early church until today.
The Bible makes it clear that “some will abandon the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1). Certainly, this is true.
The entire continent of Europe is facing a crisis of faith with regards to Christianity. In England and Germany, remarkable church buildings are being converted into coffee houses, thrift shops and office complexes. Here in the United States, many researchers identify the fastest growing religious group as those who are “nonaffiliated.”
The impact of evil in the last days seems to be at more intense levels today. Sometimes we think of the “last days” as a short period of time just before the return of Christ.
However, for centuries we have seen evil ebb and flow with an upward trend. Evil does not always present itself in terms of illegal drugs, crime, genocide and oppressive politics.
I do not believe that the Bible was envisioning satanic worship or marginal cults when it spoke of the rise of evil in the last days. Often evil originates in boardrooms, universities, churches and white-collar neighborhoods. Evil is the deterioration of those things which are sacred, such as honor, integrity, love and justice.
So, if the days are becoming more evil, what should we do? Should we throw our hands up and say, “We cannot make a difference. We should not even try.”
On the contrary, God’s choicest servants shine brightest when things are at their darkest. Perseverance and faithfulness is essential when things are difficult. Your small influence may be used by God to bring hope and deliverance to someone who is struggling with temptation and trials.
In the last days, those who believe in the return of Jesus Christ have two important jobs.
First, we must be watching and waiting for Jesus Christ. We look with eager anticipation to the eastern sky. We know that Jesus could come at any moment! How exciting!
Second, faithful Christians must be salt and light (Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount) to an evil generation in need of transformation and purpose. Wherever we go, we must share the good news that Jesus Christ offers forgiveness to all who will believe.
So, we live in the last days. We want Jesus Christ to come back and right all wrongs. We long for a better place — beyond all of the troubles and concerns of this world. We envision a place with no cancer, wheelchairs, addictions, abuse or pain.
However, while we are here in this old world, we are here to make a positive difference.
— Pastor Chris
Read more: St. Clair Times - Clergy Corner Living for Christ in the last days
