End Times

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. [Mark 13.28-31 (also similarly, Matthew 24.32-35; Luke 21.29-33)] 

Until today, I have found it difficult to understand what Jesus meant by, "this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place." However, on this day I believe I can see what He might have been saying.

Everything Jesus described about "the end" is consistently described in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke). As noted in the subject passage above, all three have very similar wording regarding "this generation."

I believe the generation that was hearing Jesus speak these words was not the generation Jesus was speaking of. Instead, I believe the generation that would see the events Jesus described is the generation that would not pass away until those events were complete. In other words, "this generation" that sees the actually beginning of these signs will be the generation that sees the completion of these signs. Or, in another attempt to explain, once these events actually start, they will also finish in that same generation (they won't be spread out over many generations).

What this would mean is that what generations past have thought were the beginning of these signs, were only "rumblings" of their beginning and not their actual onset. This explains why my own grandfather thought Jesus would return in his lifetime...

But, it would seem, the beginning of these signs will be more pronounced than anything we have witnessed to date. In fact, it could mean that the beginning of these signs could be more organized than we originally thought - more "official" as if sanctioned by governments...

We know this: Jesus said it would be possible to know that summer is near - to know when these things actually start.

So, have they started? If so, this generation will be the one to witness it all take place including Jesus' return.

I believe Jesus gave us the sign that would indicate the "official" beginning of the end:

“When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. [Mark 13.9]

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. [Matthew 24.9]

“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. [Luke 21.12] 

It would seem that there will be a worldwide persecution of believers that signals the beginning of the end, and we have not yet seen that. Yes, persecution exists in pockets of the world, but it has yet to become a sanctioned (official) stance all across the world.

What we are witnessing right now is likely just "rehearsal" for the end and not actually the opening scene! No doubt, we have been witnessing this rehearsal for many years:

Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. [Mark 13.5-8]

I could be wrong,  but we know this, Jesus wasn't wrong! So, as we look into His Word, the answers are there. The "opening scene" of the end will be worldwide, sanctioned persecution of Christians.

It should be noted that Jesus indicated that "panic" would be associated with jumping to conclusions. The only deception will be that "it has begun" when it hasn't. There IS an observable order to His return, but it will only be seen by those who are watching. And, they will know when it all actually begins. As theater goes, we have the playbill (the Word) that, if we will only study it, tells us exactly what to expect. Ignorant Christians however will not be able to distinguish between rehearsal and the actual event ...and they will panic. Those who know the Word however, will remain calm.

Again, worldwide persecution of believers is the opening act. Don't worry, we will all know when that begins because it will be sanctioned the world over. It might be good to remember Esther's story when a day was actually sanctioned by the government when the Jews would be annihilated.

Again, I could be wrong, but at least I am not inciting panic. Not yet...

Father, I am encouraged today to see what Jesus said and feel like You have revealed Truth from His words to me today. Thank You. By what I see around me (the "rehearsal" going on), I am sure that end times are soon to start. I realize that, in the USA, something as simple as the next presidential election could mark the beginning of persecution of believers in the USA and, consequently, across the world... May Your children's eyes and ears be open! May we understand! So be it.