RE-EXAMINING OUR PRACTICE OF CHRISTIANITY

 

Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; Luke 21:5-19

Introduction

The occurrences of our time raise more questions than to be answered. The world is on a downward slide: political, economic, social, and religious tension, natural disasters, and outbreak of pandemic diseases. Each day is seeing committed Christians drifting and falling away from the faith. What is happening to us? Are these things part of Biblical prophecies of the end time?

There is no doubt when I say we are much closer to the Rapture - than ever before on earth. Even as we toss through the end of days, we can still and only find hope of our glorification in God's Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Begining Time

It was never in God's plan of creation to begin and anticipate the end time as we see today. God planned to create an endless fellowship with His creation including humanity. His regular visit to man in the garden of Eden in the cool of the day supports this (Gen. 3:8). Sin changed the whole plan of the beginning to institute an end time.

God then made a plan to redeem humanity and set a new creation in place to bring into action His very original plan from the beginning. God puts it, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 NIV), talking about the redeemer who will be the seed of the woman. This redeemer is revealed Biblically to be Jesus Christ. 

Isaiah prophesied, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy." (Isaiah 65:17-18 NIV)  

And finally, the gathering of the redeemed of the Lord, that is, the rapture or the end of time. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV).

Signs of the End Time

Many people walk on earth looking for signs of what is ahead. This reminds me of my childhood days when we crowd in front of a Television to watch "Akan Drama". As the story unfolds, we begin to anticipate the end and one key sign of the end was when the character 'Osofo Dadzie' comes up to conclude and exhort viewers. Any time the camera focuses on him we crave to be the first to say "y'apon" - "the end." In the same way, we are stretching our necks ahead to see the end whiles we wait.

On Mt. Olivert, Jesus stated that “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 NIV). With our unsettled desire to know the end, many prophecies are casting shadows of the end time. Jesus tells us "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14 NIV). Precious one, even as I discuss with you the signs of the end time, have this quote in mind. 

Signs of the End Time

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus outlined some signs to give us hope for the glory of the end time. You will agree with me that these signs are much more evident in our world today. It is no more prophecy to us but a fulfillment of prophecy.

1. Deception as a Sign

As the end draws near, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them." (Luke 21:8 NIV). 

Many people will search for messages that go well with them, they will seek mystics and cosmic understanding and religious leaders who claim to have 'eyes' to see deeper things. 

• Over-curiosity for spiritual things makes you more and more vulnerable to deception. 

Your spiritual consult for partners, children, jobs, financial breakthroughs, witches in your home, etc. takes you closer and closer to the spirit of deception.

As a pastor of God's flock, I know so well that deception is one major threat to the Church today but it is nothing new. Before King Josiah ascended the throne at the age of 8, the priests - God's own chosen representatives to the people of Israel had set up articles for Baal and Asherah (gods) inside the Temple of God (2 Kings 23-24). And the people willingly worshipped the idols. One thing was that they did not stop worshipping God but treated God as one of their gods. This act of syncretism is so common in our day. Society is infested with a culture of tolerance for all sorts of immoral behaviour that works for everyone except Christianity which speaks the absolute truth. unfortunately, they have caught up with many churches and Christian leaders.

Some church members have become idle and reluctant to work because they have seen signs of the end time. Paul says, "We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 NIV). In our anticipation of the end time, we must still keep working until the day catch up to us.

Meanwhile, I dare say the Church cannot spend all our time and resources to deal with every sign of deception but need to remain focused on bringing the lost souls to the saving arm of Jesus Christ (John 8:32; 4:6).

2. Destructive Wars among Nations as a Sign

Jesus pointed to another sign saying, "When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” (Luke 21:9 NIV)

Many countries today can be said to be enjoying peace. But there are intra and inter-war zones being built among nations today. The ongoing Russia - Ukraine war and its effects on the global economy is evident to us. It has been reported that 50% of all scientific research today involve arms, bombs, the weapon of mass destruction, etc. 

Remember what Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." (Luke 21:10 NIV) 

I am not a prophet of doom, but I can sense the escalation of conflicts for political gains and economic freedom, border skirmishes, racial battles, and wars among nations all over the globe in a couple of years to come. In all that, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown." (Revelation 2:10 NIV). 

3. Devastations as a Sign

Along with deception and disputes is devastation. Jesus warned again, "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:11 NIV). Our economic situation - the high cost of living, is evidence to us. We see people killing for ritual money day in and day out - [Abesim: a man with human heads and other parts in his fridge; Mankessim: a chief and pastor killing and burying people, etc].

At the peak of COVID-19, some preachers connected it to 5G in telecommunications and gave some weird interpretations of some verses in the book of Revelations. All pointing to the end of time. In fact, COVID-19 has pointed us to how vulnerable we are on the globe to natural and artificial devastation. We now face outbreaks of yellow fever, Nipah virus, meningitis, and so on. We are told how malaria and Superbugs are developing high resistance.

The little said about earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, and ozone layer depletion the better. All these devastating trends are signs that point us to the end of time.

4. Delivered into Tribulations

“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name." (Luke 21:12 NIV)

We are seeing evidence today. Christianity is always attacked. Faithful Christians in companies are being framed and pushed away, those in business are not given contracts because they are not ready to inflate prices, etc. Armed men storms into a church to open fire on worshippers, killing every one of them. 

Today, in all sectors of our life, anyone who speaks against the ills of society is targeted and insulted on media, especially these social media. We are delivered to worldly trials and tribulations on the account of our faith. But in Matthew 24:6, Jesus tells us, "See to it that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass."

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Conclusion

All these signs: deception, destructive wars, devastation, and delivery into tribulation in the end time are not up and above our God Almighty. In all these, the Bible reminds us that God declares "the end from the beginning...what is still to come" and only His "purpose will stand" (Isa. 46:10). 

Let us agree with Apostle Paul as we experience these signs of the end time in its proper context, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV). To it, we are all yearning to be with the Lord, as we shout, "Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!" AMEN!

SHALOM ALEICHEM...

OPINION CORNER: comment

Since the signs of the end time are imminent, should we stop building houses, marrying, or even planning for the future?  ur thought please, - on the comments side.