Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [2 Peter 3:3-4 KJV]….the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.[2 Peter 3:9 KJV].
Some people are beginning to say that all this talk about an imminent return of the Lord is here say, One or two friendly talks between rival politicians and everything is lovely. Don’t you believe it? Anything could happen at any time and probably will. God does not delay His plans and we are told in verse 9, God wants more people to become Christians and have eternal life, because He loves His creatures and loves us, and He wants to give more time for people to be saved, by coming to Him.
Our generation is the terminal generation and could quite easily see the calling at any time of the redeemed in the Rapture to the clouds before He finally lets forth His time of judgement. Jesus was quite cross with the Pharisees for not knowing of His coming. They did not discern the signs of His first coming in Scripture although it’s all there, the place, the time, and how He would come. We do not have the time of His second coming but we have the signs and they are all about us. Terrible things that will happen in the time of the Tribulation period are beginning to show themselves now. They warn us that we are fast running out of time and unbelievers should be warned now to do something about their personal eternity. There was a man in Scotland back in the 40s and 50s who used to approach people in the street and ask them a simple question; if you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity Heaven or Hell? Many came to know the Lord through this man and this question. Perhaps the Churches should be asking this question; if you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? Many are not, or pointing out that in the not too distant future the Lords righteous Judgement will fall on mankind.
Israel is featuring more and more on the world stage. Russia and Iran are aligning and the financial state of the world is getting desperate. Although things seem to be buzzing along nicely, in fact nations are in debt to the point of billions of dollars to the IMF and to other nations. We are having the earthquakes, more intense and more in populated areas, [Luke 21:11]. If you don’t believe that islands will move out of their place, [Rev 16:20], in the recent Kaikoura earthquake in New Zealand the South Island moved 5 metres closer to the North Island There are wars raging all over the world and if a country is not at war the chances are that there are demonstrations and governments being overthrown. [Matt 24:6] and terrible storms, and electrical interference from sun spots and electronic storms [Luke 21: 25]. According to the Food Aid Foundation something like 1 in 7 people are hungry in this world and the number is increasing. So much so that the welfare organisations are short of funds and losing ground. War and revolution in many countries is causing reduction in crop planting and harvesting. Climate change is in many places causing crops to fail. [Luke 21:10], it also says about pestilences. Many illnesses and are mutating from animal diseases into human ones and infections never seen before are appearing. Other regular illnesses are mutating into new ones which are resistant to the present anti-biotics and treatments. Plastics and other contaminants are destroying sea life on which many island nations depend. Persecution of Christians is very real and widespread in this world. It is even more difficult to live in Western countries where immorality is condoned by changing laws and legalising sin. Even Christians and in some cases the Christian Church, is succumbing to same sex marriage and the living together of unmarried couples.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! [2 Tim 3:1-5 NKJV]. And if you don’t believe it, one of the greatest expanding industries is building prisons.
The Bible says it will be as in the days of Noah and Lot when not only the earth was flooded, and mankind destroyed; but as with the cities of the plain man had become both wicked, violent and totally immoral. [Rom 1:18-32]. Concern has been expressed that crime is becoming more violent. Shopkeepers violently beaten when there was no need as they were not resisting, and all that was stolen was a few cigarettes or a few bottles of liquor. In many countries it is not safe for children to be let out alone and people are beaten up in the street for no reason at all. Certainly the world is becoming more violent. In South America many countries have a drug problem with police and governing authorities turning a blind eye because either they are frightened of the gangs or in their pay. Meanwhile innocents are getting killed.
We are told in the Bible very clearly what the world will be like [Isaiah 24:1-13][Luke 17:26-36][Rev 16:17-21]. Indeed if Christ were to come tonight where would you be, previously caught up to be safe with Jesus in Heaven or condemned to see out the Tribulation and face up to Gods judgment. Dear friend, if you were to die tonight where indeed will you spend eternity? Don’t blame God, He has made a way back to Him through belief in His Son, Jesus. As you read this please make your decision. Where indeed will you spend eternity?
Brian Papworth
Representative for the P.W.M.I in the South Pacific.