When End Times Talk Gets Overwhelming

I know that Jesus is coming back. I want Him to. I long for it, as I'm sure you do, too. And I fully agree that it is important to study end time prophecy and keep an eye on the sky. But there is a subculture among apocalypse enthusiasts that appears to take great delight in making others fear the future in regards to the approach of the Second Coming.

It isn't wrong to prepare for the future, but it must be done with the knowledge that "a man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9 BSB). You can build your bomb shelter and stock it with goods, and yet, your supply may spoil before it's time to take cover. Or, like the prosperous farmer in the parable, you may think your vast preparation will save you from future labor, and yet your soul may be required of you this very night.

It is also wise to note players on the world stage operating in the spirit of the antichrist, so that we may pray against their efforts and strengthen the Kingdom of God on earth, but we cannot become so attached to who this or that public figure may be that we miss the work the Lord would have us do while we wait for His return.

Tell Us When These Things Will Be...

In Matthew 24, known as the Olivet Discourse, the disciples meet Jesus on the Mount of Olives--the place of His impending ascension and predicted site of His return as delivering King according to Zechariah 14:4--and ask Him what the signs of the end times and His return will be. In the midst of giving the disciples the rundown of what to watch for, Jesus says, "See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet" (Matthew 24:6 NKJV). "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14 NKJV). At the time of this writing, there are still unreached nations, so we aren't there yet, although we've been witness to several cycles of the birth pangs, the signs of the end, as have the generations before us. As Jesus explains, we are not to take this apparent delay as an excuse to do as we please. We must be "faithful and wise servant[s], [giving] food in due season" to those we are called to steward, meeting their physical and spiritual needs to the best of our ability (Matthew 24:45). We are to work while we wait and keep an eye on the sky. But there is something else we are told to take charge over: the condition of our hearts.

The Commandment We Miss

The truth is, when people take note of the birth pains, they often fail to follow Jesus' instructions about what to do with that information. We are commanded to take note, given specific instructions in order to preserve ourselves from certain threats, but we are also admonished not to be troubled when we see the signs come to pass. Just as God forewarned Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others that a doom was coming to roost in their backyards, He did it not to frighten them, but to prepare their hearts. The Lord does not hide what He is doing from those who are close to Him. He tells His friends as much as they need to know about His plans in order for them to function well in partnership with the Kingdom. If your heart is loyal to God, if you keep His statutes with the help of the Holy Spirit, you don't need to be afraid. The fear of the Lord--the awe of the Lord--is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

We are to accept that these things must come to pass, and take comfort in knowing that everything is in the Lord's hands. He is not surprised, and we should not be paralyzed.

Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Did you know that 2 Thessalonians was written in response to a church spiraling out in panic that they had missed the Second Coming? When I get overwhelmed by end times speculation, it helps me to visit that letter in addition to Matthew 24. In this letter, Paul reiterates and expounds on Jesus' instruction, reassuring the church that they have not missed the mark in the timing of world events.

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

Another section I find very helpful is Psalm 112:

"Praise the Lord!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.

His descendants will be mighty on earth;

The generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches will be in his house,

And his righteousness endures forever.

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

A good man deals graciously and lends;

He will guide his affairs with discretion.

Surely he will never be shaken;

The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is established;

He will not be afraid,

Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.

He has dispersed abroad,

He has given to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever;

His horn will be exalted with honor.

The wicked will see it and be grieved;

He will gnash his teeth and melt away;

The desire of the wicked shall perish."

This isn't about closing your eyes, plugging your ears, and pretending that nothing bad will happen. Its a description of the assurance we have in God and His faithfulness to those who fear and honor Him above all.

So, the next time someone brings you terrible news or speculation, remember that leaping to fear and panic does not honor God, or His instructions for you. Take the information and your feelings about it to Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how you personally should respond, and what He would have you do. Sometimes, the answer is to pray. Sometimes it's to refuse to give ear to a conspiracy. And yes, sometimes it is to build a boat and fill it with supplies. But if that's the case, use God's blueprints. He knows how you need to prepare better than you do.