The first time I saw this clip, it had cut off the first part of the sentence (it had deleted, “somebody said to me the other day”) so I went back to find a larger clip or the full interview for clarification. I do not like to evaluate snippets because they’re often not credible or are taken out of context. When evaluating information, I follow more of a legal or journalist type approach (is it credible, is it relevant, is it admissible). I do find this question to be both credible (because Jesus is coming back) and relevant (there are end times signs occurring globally) so let’s dive in.
We are reading the NLT Chronological Bible this year and this week’s readings have been all about Jesus Foretelling the Future, The Time of Jesus’ Return, Story of the Ten Bridesmaids, Story of the Three Servants, The Final Judgement, The Plot to Kill Jesus, Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus, The Last Supper, Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet, Jesus Predicts His Betrayal, Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial, Jesus the Way to the Father, Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit, Jesus the True Vine (Mark 13:1-37, Matt 24:1-51, Luke 21:5-33, Matt 25:1-46, Matt 26:1-5, 14-35, Luke 22:1-2, 3-6, 7-38, Mark 14:1-2, 10-31, John 13:1-38, John 14:1-3, John 15:1-17).
My highlights of the readings include: Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name claiming ‘I am the Messiah’. They will deceive many… you will be handed over to local councils and beaten… when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say… Everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. There will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world… False messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Watch out! Unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones… there will be a time of great prosecution… but this will be your opportunity to tell them about me… Even those closest to you – your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends – will betray you. But not a hair on your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win their souls. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory and he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world (it’s been suggested that the secular realm may call this an alien abduction) … There will be strange signs in the sun, moon and stars.. roaring seas and strange tides… So when these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near. No one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! You must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return... don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning… Watch for him! You must be ready all the time. Pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man…
Over the decades, many people have tried to predict the return of Christ but so far no one has been correct. But we do agree that it will happen. Am I living like I believe it will happen? For a couple of weeks now, I’ve had the same convictions after the daily reading. That I do not truly live my life as if Jesus is coming back tomorrow despite being told and warned repeatedly to always be ready and always keep watch. I believe I’m spared (saved) from the wrath of God. I believe I am a disciple and a child of God. But I don’t believe that I live my faith with a pressing urgent expectation of His return. I’m more like “well, I’m in” and I go back to reading a book and playing with my pups and working on household chores.
If you thought Jesus was coming back whether next week or in 2033, would you live your life differently? I most certainly would. I would try to get as many of my neighbors, business associates and local community members to plug into the Bible daily and to join a healthy church family (no false prophets, wolves, buy a blessing type places, etc.). I would focus more on the value of the lost, and leave the 99 in search of the 1 (by maybe going to more social events hoping to invite people to church). I would shift my focus from the American dream (buying, building, spending) and cultural indoctrination to kingdom business and the more genuine priorities of life (things that will actually matter in a decade).
When I was agnostic, I did show interest in “end of the world” topics. I was thinking alien abduction, the apocalypse, WW3/Armageddon, asteroid impact, global warming, etc. With spiritual eyes, I see the same thing but from a different perspective because things such as these are addressed in the Bible. Even if you are agnostic, atheist, new age or in the occult, it is ok to learn what the Bible says and to at least include it in your list of possible dooms day events as a potential theory.
If end times prophesy is of interest to you, you can also check out the Left Behind Book series (public libraries usually have them). It is a fiction series that really helped me learn about end times from the Bible’s perspective and, more importantly, shared so much about Jesus, how much He loves us, the sacrifice He made for us, and what He saved us from.
Iced coffee cheers your way peeps.



