We are entering a time in the history of the world where there are now many signs and markers that indicate that we have well and truly entered the “end times”. That’s my humble opinion, anyway. Of course, “end times” speculations, and the varying levels of angst and the predictions that have accompanied the latest discussions, are nothing new. I recall, back in my teenage years, one particular book, “The Late Great Planet Earth” , by author Hal Lindsay. It became a sensation, fuelling all manner of excited speculations and prayer gatherings about the end being near. It was quite a phenomenon for some years. Alas, for Lindsay and his end times fans, most (if not all) his predictions back in the early 1970s never came to pass.
Of late, there has been increased interest in the so-called “rapture”, an event foretold in scripture but without any specifics in terms of timing. The actual term “rapture” (which does not appear in the New Testament at all), refers to the return of Jesus and the saints being caught up in the air to meet Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)
“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. 17 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.”
Argument abounds as to whether the “rapture” will occur before the Great Tribulation sets in, in the middle of it, or afterward when the dust has settled. Will Jesus rescue His church before all the tribulation chaos on the earth so the saints don’t have to endure it? Many think so. Me? Well, I can take the scriptures and build a strong case for any of these three scenarios. In the end (pun intended), it doesn’t matter. Arguments and speculation on these matters have little real value in advancing the Gospel cause – which is where my passion lies. In case you may be wondering, I am of the view that Jesus will return and the “rapture” (I don’t really like that term) will occur, after the Great Tribulation. I believe the Church will be used mightily by God during those momentous and terrifying days. I think we’ll remain deployed here as God’s purposes are carried out. But, that’s just my view as I study scripture.
I am more interested in being prepared for the return of Jesus than speculating about when …
Luke 18:8 (NIV)
[Jesus] “… when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
And that’s the bigger issue, isn’t it? I seek not to mock the speculators and predictors; my concern and focus is preparation. This does not mean that we ignore the signs of the end and what that will bring. As we sensibly discern the end times’ signs, we need to make important priority adjustments and implement strategies to ensure that we remain well-prepared for what the Church needs to be effectively doing. During this time of world turmoil, the Church must not lose sight of what it is and what is its purpose on the earth – we are agents of the Kingdom.
One of the key signs of the end times that has become very obvious around the world in the last ten years, or so, is the rise of false prophets and false teachers. Jesus warned of false prophets three times in Matthew’s gospel, and it is happening right now on a global scale – far more than the early church could ever have anticipated. They are everywhere.
Matthew 7:15-17 (NIV)
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Matthew 24:10-11 (NIV)
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Matthew 24:24-25 (NIV)
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
I continue to be deeply alarmed that many believers are buying into the teachings of false prophets and false teachers on all sorts of issues. As a result, many Christians today are quite prepared to unashamedly profess Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and then live lives that contradict His Lordship, and dismiss the clear teaching of scripture. It looks brazen on the face of it but, as I look more closely, I don’t think it is brazen, not really. It is more that Christians are quite comfortable living in the deception they have agreed to, and don’t see a problem with that. The most disturbing factor in all of this is that the inner witness of Holy Spirit can no longer be heard. To me, that is the most alarming thing – and it is the result of absorbing a steady diet of false prophet teaching. Believers have become darkened in their understanding as the apostle Paul said …
Ephesians 4:18-19 (NIV)
“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.”
Now, although Paul is describing the lifestyles of the Gentiles as he speaks to the Ephesian church full of new believers, the same lifestyles are manifesting amongst Christians today who continue to absorb false teaching and false prophecy (i.e. “God is saying this, or that”, when He is not). People are being misled. There is a great loss of spiritual sensitivity – a separation from the life of God – occurring. This is the fruit of false prophets and teachers who say and teach what many want to hear and not what the Spirit is saying. This hardens the heart! A hard heart cannot hear Holy Spirit. Jesus said to look at the fruit that grows on the trees of these impressive false prophets. If the fruit is not what the scripture says is fruit, that should be enough for us to avoid these people. When we depart from the scriptures as the guide for holy living, we’ll always remain insensitive to Holy Spirit, which is how the life of Jesus increases in us. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing everywhere who prophesy contrary to scripture. We need to be alert to their deceptions, as they will deceive many, including the most senior of Christian leaders.
So, what do we do? We stick to the word of God and keep alert and careful to lead our Christian life, not on our own terms, but on Jesus’ terms - as we take up our cross daily to do away with the sinful desires of the soul and flesh. The way of the cross is how Christians crucify the old nature in order for the new life of Christ to be fully formed in us. This is authentic Christian living. As someone said recently, “We no longer represent ourselves, instead, we represent Jesus. For believers, living in accordance with Christ’s teachings is critical, especially in a time when actions speak louder than words in the eyes of a watching world.”
Any teaching that contradicts, modifies, compromises or deletes any part of the scriptures to offer some amazing new “insight” for Christians, is false teaching. Any prophecy that contradicts the scriptures and/or the Spirit of Jesus, is false, too. Reject it. It will harden your heart and separate you from the life of God that is given to us through His indwelling Spirit.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Think on these things – they are very serious. Be ready at any time for Jesus’ return.
Ps Milton
[Sources: End quote from a John Bevere podcast]