Signs of the End of the Age
Matthew 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Back to the Future and Beyond. The Lord is at work in history to bring about his purposes. Eventually, he will have a people who would love and honor him each day and forever. It will be in Paradise, the new heavens and a new earth, the perfect creation.
God wants a people who will be devoted to him. So in the beginning, he made man (Adam and Eve) to start a race that would populate the earth and live in relationship with God forever. But they chose to disobey him, and their rebellion and sin brought a temporary stop to that plan of God. But Jesus Christ came as the second and final man (Adam) to restore what was lost and bring God’s purposes to fulfillment. And the people who love and honor God are now being formed, the one new man made up of Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles). The heavens and the earth will be renovated at the second coming of Jesus to become a transformed dwelling place for God and those who love him. Those who don’t follow God will be removed forever (suffering endlessly in the lake of fire or hell) while God will rule his people and creation from the new Jerusalem here on earth. It will be a kingdom of perfect righteousness and peace.
All the events of human history are moving in this direction. And the climax is near. Rebellion against God will increase, but God will destroy all his enemies. Jesus Christ will be seen (revealed) for who he is, the eternal Son of God who made the heavens and the earth at God the Father’s command. Then he (Christ), will turn over the whole kingdom to the Father. Paradise will be restored (“Back to the Future”), but in addition to that, God will have a people who will live and enjoy with him forever (“Beyond”).
Today, we will talk about the signs of the end of the age. These are the realities that will characterize the earth at the time that Jesus Christ will return to earth to remove evil and make all things new. Some of these signs are good (like the proclamation of the gospel to the whole world), but most will be negative. But all the signs indicate that Jesus Christ will soon return to earth to punish those who refuse to follow God (the wicked or unrighteous) and save/reward those who love and honor him (the righteous). Things may appear to be getting out of control, but they are not. History is climaxing in great evils, but they will trigger the return of Christ to earth to remove all evil and establish his perfect kingdom. God is in control and his wonderful plans and purposes are about to all find their fulfillment.
If you are living for God, there is no reason for you to be afraid. In fact, you can get really excited because the fullness of your salvation is near. But if you are not loving and obeying God, you will be swept away by what is coming. The future is not bright for you. In fact, it is dark. But the Lord has revealed the future so that you can prepare. Are you ready to face Jesus Christ? If not, you can do so while there is time. Make the wrong things in your life right. Trust in Jesus. Live for God. If you do, you can look forward to a chaotic earth in the next years knowing that God is about to end all evils and make all things right and new! Your Lord will do all these soon!
Lathur Badoy