Posts tagged End Times
The Olivet Discourse
Mar 28th
With all that is going on in the world, I have been drawn to the Olivet Discourse. This was a conversation between Jesus and his disciples found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. The topic of conversation was the end of the age. In other words, Jesus was advising us on the end of the world. What I find most interesting about what Jesus stated was that it was utterly void of the kind of sensationalism found in most modern day doom and gloom discussions of the end times. Of course, we should take Jesus words very seriously, but as you read the Olivet Discourse (I prefer Matthew 24), notice how it implores the believer to hold fast to the truth.
Consider Verse 6:
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
This clearly implores the believer to hold fast and not be alarmed. We have been told beforehand of what is to happen so that it does not take us by surprise.
This discourse is not as reassuring to nonbelievers, especially when you read the entire discourse and realize how accurate Jesus is in his description of what has taken place over the history since Jesus made these remarks. So, for the nonbeliever, what I hope is that you will consider Jesus words here. Jesus described these events as birth pains. What he was saying is that this things will happen with increased frequency and increased intensity, just like a woman giving birth, until the end finally comes. In many ways, this is like a countdown that warns us of the pending end. So, again, for the nonbeliever, I ask you to heed the warning.
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The Gospel v. The End Times
Oct 31st
I was listenning to a Paul Washer sermon the other day (you can watch it below) and he said something to the effect of: The day Jesus comes back you will know everything there is to know about eschatology (the end times), but throughout all of eternity you will be searching the depths of the gospel.
That is an interesting statement. And after much thought, I have to say he is right. Eschatology (the study of end times) attracts a large audience of people. And yet, the reality of the end times is that they signify an end. They are a set of events, though confusing at times and fearful at others, that will simply be a part of history. They are important and they signal a pending judgment for mankind and hope for God’s elect. However, I am not sure there is any real infinite knowledge in the end times. As much as they will require awe from all that watch, we will quickly understand and quickly see what side we are on. However, the depths of the gospel are unfathomable and an eternity will not find us reaching those depths. It is difficult to even speak in a way that gives justice to the wonders of the cross.
As a Christian, as a person who claims to follow Christ, I cannot but scratch the surface of the proverbial iceberg that is the gospel. Paul Washer is pointing to something here that all true Christians understand. At the cross, we find not only our salvation, but we find the very essence of God. We find His justice, His truth, His love, His power, and we find hope. And as much as we see the mirror of our own sinfulness, we see the love of God in His forgiveness of those very sins through the death of Christ. I mentioned to a friend recently how much I love to hear about the cross and the gospel and how it just excites me — revs me up! It would seem that is because we will be spending an eternity talking about that very thing and searching its’ riches.
Here is the sermon:
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