Recently, I’ve been thinking deeply about a question that seems to be on everyone’s mind: Are we living in the end times? As a pastor in New York City, I’ve encountered this question countless times, particularly as we witness unprecedented global events unfold before our eyes. I believe this question deserves a thoughtful, biblical response rather than sensationalism or speculation.
Understanding Jesus’s Words on the End Times
Let’s start with Jesus’s own words in Matthew 24:5-8. He gave his disciples a clear framework for understanding the signs of the end times: “For many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Messiah’ and will deceive many. You’ll hear of wars and rumors of wars… Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
What strikes me about this passage is Jesus’s emphasis on perspective. When discussing wars and rumors of wars, He specifically tells us, “See to it that you are not alarmed.” This reminds me of an extraordinary experience I had after Hurricane Katrina. While working in a completely devastated neighborhood, I encountered a single house that stood completely untouched amidst the destruction. When I asked the Army Corps of Engineers about it, they had no explanation. Inside that house, I found a light switch with a scripture verse: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him.”
This experience taught me something profound about God’s sovereignty even in times of chaos. When Jesus tells us not to be alarmed by global events, He’s not dismissing their significance; He’s reminding us of His ultimate control. Just as a thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, those who trust in Him will stand secure.
The Birth Pains Analogy
Jesus’s use of the term “birth pains” is particularly significant. As a father, I vividly remember when my wife went into labor with our first child. The contractions increased in frequency, duration, and intensity as we got closer to the moment of delivery. This is exactly how Jesus described the signs of the end times.
The early church thought they were in the end times 2,000 years ago, and they weren’t necessarily wrong. It’s like saying “I’m in labor” – labor can last a long time, but you know the baby is coming when the contractions intensify and become more frequent. What we’re witnessing today might be described as an increasing intensity and frequency of these prophetic “contractions.”
The Three Signs of the End Times
In my study of scripture, I’ve identified three significant signs that point toward the end times:
1. The Rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem
During my last visit to Israel, I had a remarkable behind-the-scenes experience at the Temple Institute near the Temple Mount. What many don’t realize is that there are groups actively preparing for the rebuilding of the temple. They’ve created not just replicas but actual implements intended for use in temple worship, stored behind bulletproof glass. These aren’t museum pieces – they’re waiting to be used when they believe their Messiah comes.
The significance of this preparation cannot be overstated. The last time Israel had a functioning temple was in 70 AD, before its destruction. The re-establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948 was itself a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and the preparations for a new temple represent another potential prophetic milestone.
2. Increased Hostility Toward Israel
The current global climate regarding Israel is unprecedented. In our own city, we’ve seen increasing tensions and protests. What’s particularly striking is not just the political disagreement but what appears to be a deeper, more visceral hatred. As one of our online pastors noted, the rhetoric often goes beyond political discourse into something more sinister.
This hostility isn’t just political – it often has a spiritual dimension that’s hard to explain through normal sociological frameworks. The intensity and widespread nature of anti-Semitism in our time bears a striking resemblance to prophetic warnings about the end times.
3. Movement Toward Global Unity
One of the most misunderstood aspects of end-times prophecy is the concept of global unity. While unity might sound positive, scripture warns about a false unity that will characterize the end times. This isn’t about legitimate cooperation between nations but rather a system that demands conformity at the expense of truth.
Recent developments at the United Nations and other global forums have increasingly focused on scenarios that might require superseding national sovereignty for the sake of global crisis management. While these discussions often have benign intentions, they align remarkably with biblical prophecies about end-times governance.
The Antichrist System vs. True Unity
Something that’s been weighing heavily on my heart is the distinction between true Christian unity and what I call the “antichrist system” of false unity. Satan isn’t a creator; he’s a replicator. Just as Christ came to bring true unity to His body, the enemy works to create a counterfeit version.
This false unity often manifests as a demand for universal agreement at the expense of truth. It’s a system that says we must sacrifice our convictions for the sake of getting along. But true unity in Christ never requires compromising biblical truth. In fact, Jesus himself said His message would sometimes divide families – not because division is the goal, but because truth often creates natural separation.
The most dangerous aspect of this false unity is how appealing it can be, even to believers. When the antichrist system rises, many will be drawn to it because they’re tired of conflict and division. This is why discernment is crucial in these times.
Knowledge Increase and Global Travel
Daniel 12:4 presents an interesting prophecy: “Many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” While some interpret this as referring solely to understanding of prophecy, I see it as a dual fulfillment. We’re living in an unprecedented age of global travel and information access. The internet, AI, and modern transportation have created a world Daniel could hardly have imagined.
The exponential growth of human knowledge in our time is staggering. More scientific papers are published in a single year now than were published in entire centuries previously. The advent of artificial intelligence represents another quantum leap in humanity’s access to and processing of information.
The Ultimate Sign: Global Gospel Proclamation
Perhaps the most significant end-times marker Jesus gave us is found in Matthew 24:14: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” This is the only variable we can actually control. We can’t control wars, natural disasters, or global politics, but we can participate in spreading the gospel.
Modern technology has given us unprecedented opportunities for global evangelism. Through internet connectivity and translation tools, we can reach people groups that were previously isolated. This global connectivity might be playing a crucial role in fulfilling this prophetic requirement.
Living with Purpose in Light of Prophecy
Understanding end-times prophecy should change how we live. I believe we should adopt a dual approach:
- Build as if Christ isn’t coming back soon
Evangelize as if He’s coming back today
This tension keeps us both responsible and urgent in our mission. It prevents us from either the paralysis of constant expectation or the complacency of assuming we have endless time.
The Resurrection Reality
Daniel 12 speaks of a future resurrection where “multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” This isn’t just abstract theology – it’s about real people, including many of us. For those who’ve fully surrendered to Christ, this is a promise of hope. For others, it’s a sobering reminder of the stakes involved in our response to the gospel.
The reality of this future resurrection should shape how we view our current relationships and evangelistic efforts. When we understand that every person we meet will be part of either the resurrection to life or to judgment, it adds urgency to our mission while deepening our compassion.
A Call to Full Surrender
As I reflect on these end-times signs, I’m convinced that the most important response isn’t trying to predict dates or identify the Antichrist. Instead, it’s about full surrender to Christ. Jesus never accepted partial commitment – He demanded 100%. Ninety-nine percent commitment was still considered full disobedience.
This complete surrender manifests as an aroma that others can sense. I remember praying for years that people would feel God’s presence around me, not just hear my words. One day at a Buffalo Wild Wings, a server who had left seminary approached me, saying he could feel God’s presence every time he came to my table. These moments remind me that our greatest witness isn’t just what we say, but how we live.
Full surrender means giving God access to every area of our lives – our finances, our relationships, our career plans, and even our hidden struggles. It’s about allowing Him into the rooms we’ve previously kept locked, trusting that His presence brings transformation.
Conclusion: Living with Urgency and Wisdom
Are we in the end times? The intensity and frequency of prophetic signs certainly suggest we’re closer than ever. But rather than focusing on timing, we should focus on our response. We need to live with:
- Urgency without panic
- Wisdom without complacency
- Truth without compromise
- Love without fear
The question isn’t just whether we’re in the end times – it’s whether we’re living in a way that hastens the return of Christ through the proclamation of His gospel to all nations. That’s a mission worth giving our lives to, regardless of when He returns.
In these uncertain times, our role isn’t to be prophets of doom but ambassadors of hope. While we watch for the signs and prepare for His return, our primary focus should be on living lives that reflect His glory and sharing His message with a world that desperately needs it.
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