It makes little difference if you call the ‘times we’re living in’ as last days or end times or any other descriptive words that indicate this designation. How much does it matter to you? It should, you know. Why? Because your attitude dictates what you do with the time you have.
I’m not getting into a discussion on pre, mid, post rapture of the church. That’s a different discussion. I’m looking at the fact that all that Revelation states WILL come to pass. And ALL of us will be standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ or at the Great White Throne Judgment. You, and only you, have the ultimate decision about which of those 2 judgments you’ll face. Whether or not your view of today’s society is heralding the times of the end or not, your attitude will reflect how you spend that quality called time. It is a limited quantity though.
Ever since Jesus returned to His place at the right hand of the Father people have expected His return. Why do you think the martyrs and preachers and teachers through the centuries have been so intent, so passionate about ‘being about our Father’s business’? Because they believed the time of Jesus’ return could be at any moment. (Luke 19:11-26, 21:28)
“26 [Jesus explained,] ‘I tell you that to everyone who has [because he valued his gifts from God and has used them wisely], more will be given; but from the one who does not have [because he disregarded his gifts from God], even what he has will be taken away.”
Plus, when Jesus left this world He told His followers:
“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.” [John 14:1-3]
This is the Christian’s promise. But we are to be about our Father’s business for as long as we are here. I don’t read anywhere in scripture about retirement. All hands are needed! Though this will sound harsh, the church was told to occupy until His return. It appears that instead of occupying we are giving it all away. And the reason? To be popular? To be ‘socially correct’ regardless if it is biblically correct?
When, for the Christian, we stand before our Lord and Master, Jesus, what will we say? Will we hear the words that so many of us long to hear:
“‘…Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’” [Matthew 25:23]
For Jesus to say this depends on how we have stewarded the gifts He has placed in us so that we may partner with Him in bringing many souls to Him. It was His choice to involve us – are we stewarding the gift in us? We can’t afford to be shy, or stammering. The Lord never calls us to something we can’t do with Him. I don’t know if these are the last days… I just know that, like you, I’ve been called to Follow.
““…The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
[Matthew 9:37-38]
