angelaschmeling

In the last few years with everything that has happened and been going on there has been a lot of talk about end times and how this could be it.

Now, I’m going to start off right away stating, I am not an end times eschatologist or conissouir by any means. Personally, I do believe that we have been gearing towards and getting closer every day to the end times since Christ ascended into heaven.

I knew someone who was all about the end times. Told me that we needed to focus on Revelations so that we were prepared and if we weren’t discussing Revelations, then we weren’t ready for when Christ would return. Christ’s return had to be our main focus.

I disagree to an extent. We do need to be ready and prepared, but what are we doing while we are waiting for Christ’s return?

When Christ ascended into heaven, the disciples stood staring at the sky for the longest time. Just standing there. Probably looking a little nuts to others as they walked by. We don’t know how long they stood there, but it must’ve been awhile because eventually an angel came to them.

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?”

Acts 2:11

Translation: You still have things to do that don’t involve staring at the sky.

Before Christ left the Earth, in fact it was His last words to us, so they are probably pretty important He said this:

…you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.

Acts 1:8

So is our focus supposed to be primarily on whether it is the end times, or should we be living each day as a witness to others? Living the life that Christ has called us to live so that others can come to know Him as well?

Be mindful. Yes. Make it your main focus so that you find yourself staring at the sky? No.

So, are we in the end times?

There are definitely things that point that if we are not yet, we will be soon. Or we are probably at least in what the Bible calls the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24 explains it as wars and rumors of wars, famines, diseases and earthquakes, many will be offended and betrayed and hate one another. Lawlessness will abound and love will grow cold.

Sounds familiar in our present day and age, doesn’t it?

It has also said that Christ will not return until all hear the gospel which due to ever increasing technology has never been closer to happening than ever before in history.

If nothing else, that knowledge of the possibility shouldn’t make us fearful, but propel us to continue moving forward in doing what Christ had called us to do. Be witnesses for those around us. Get ourselves into the Word so that we can be prepared and ready, whether He comes this year or in 20 years! But let us not be so focused on that that we forget those around us that desperately need the love of Christ.

I personally love this quote:

If I knew Christ was returning tomorrow, I’d plant a tree today.

Unknown

I love that quote because to me it means that even if we know that Christ’s return is near, we need to keep living. Keep planning for the future. Keep being a light that shines brightly in this ever darkening world.

Let us not be ones that stare at the sky waiting for Him to return, but not doing what He has called us to do!

Let’s build up and encourage one another in love and plant a seed of love that will flourish in others!