The End Is Near

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [Mark 13.13b]

As I understand the end times, well, I am not certain I understand the end times!

As Jesus told His disciples about the end times, there were many references to time. But Jesus' references to time were general terms like "before this..." or "after this..." I think perhaps the key to understanding end times is to sort out the chronology of what Jesus told, as some of what He said has certainly already taken place. For example, the Temple was destroyed a relatively short time after Jesus' walk on earth. 

I could attempt to sort all this out here, but I won't. That's not to say I won't spend other time myself trying to understand this more thoroughly, but to say I want to focus on the scripture reference above...

Regardless of whether we get end times sorted out in our heads or not, the end is imminent. It will not be avoided. 

Frankly, I don't see how non-believers cannot see the obvious annihilation of mankind as pretty much unavoidable. One only has to look around to see that things are not really getting better, but in fact very much getting worse. 

It is a big planet, this planet Earth, but the fact remains that it is a limited resource. No, I am not a tree-hugger, but I do understand that the Earth only contains so much real estate and, consequently, can only support so many people. And, regardless of what utopian ideology would suggest is possible (that everyone come together for the greater good), it will not happen. It will not happen because all the feel-good ideology in the world cannot displace self-love (greed and lust mostly) and the chaos it ultimately yields. History has confirmed that no matter how good a society may be, there always emerges someone, some group, some way of thinking that usurps the 'greater good' for self gain.

So, what am I saying here? Well, that the end is near. It's like being on the ocean in a small open boat and seeing a thunderstorm approaching: it cannot be avoided. All one can do is prepare to endure the storm.

Question: Do we have reason to believe our 'enduring the storm' has a benefit? As a Bible believer, I do.

Father, I know I have solved no mysteries here. However, I have further concluded in my own mind and walk with You that it is worthwhile to endure in my relationship with You until the end.