getting a perspective of the End-Times…

fellow IHOPer Matt Hartke just wrote on what I was going to write on next.  even at risk of being called a copy-cat wordcaster I’m going to say what I wanted to say anyway…

I’ve experienced several ”collisions” the past few months concerning my convictions and beliefs related to eschatology (the study of Jesus’ 2nd Coming and end-time events).  A recent collision this weekend stirred my heart once again.  The basic challenge always seems to start with something like this:

• Why focus on the end-times and 2nd Coming of Jesus so much?  It’s so radical, so un-imaginable, and causes so much controversy.

1. IT’S NECESSARY - the Bible says so, Jesus made the topic of His 2nd Coming and establishment of the Kingdom of God a central part of His message and ministry.  Much of the New Testament (*and much of the OT) commands us to study and understand Jesus’ 2nd coming and what happens before, during, and after Jesus returns to earth and establishes His Kingdom.
2. KNOWING THE END AFFECTS US NOW - an understanding of the ”end” significantly affects how we choose to live NOW (i.e. the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle even when it hurts)…and with that understanding, the choices we make NOW will significantly affect how we respond towards God in the worst crisis of life and calamity when it hits home and gets personal.
3. IT GIVES HOPE – an understanding of how things end (*God’s victory and promises) helps keep us faithful and steady through all life’s storms including the Tribulation that is still to come.  There is nothing more hopeful than knowing that Jesus is coming back to earth to redeem, reconcile and make all things right.  This helps keep us grounded and gives us rest when crisis happens.  It is a gift that God has revealed the ending to us to serve as a plumb-line in life.