Are We In the End Times?
What do you think about when you think of the end times or eschatology? Do you think of that last phase of history before Jesus comes again? Or maybe you think of a shorter timeframe - that final series of events that take place at the second coming of Christ?
The Bible gives us a framework for understanding all of this, but it still can be confusing or sensationalized. It’s easy to get caught up in all the differing views. But the Bible does speak often about “the last days” and “the end of the age.”
And then we have simple passages like 1 John 2:18 where John says, “Therefor we know that it is the last hour.” It’s easy to interpret Scripture using our immediate situation and personal perspective instead of letting the Bible interpret itself.
This is often the case when thinking about suffering. Instead of sticking with the Bible we jump to conclusion based on personal experience because we’re in pain. The same is often true with end times thinking. When world events are difficult we focus on the events and not Scripture. Every generation has faced moments where the end seemed imminent.
The Black Death in the 14th century killed about 50% of Europe’s population - surely that seemed like the end of the world. World War I and II was awful killed around 100 million people - surely Jesus’ arrival would be soon. Do you remember the 2012 Maya calendar frenzy? This was all about the end of the world from a “wise” civilization the could, evidently, predict the future. And of course, now, with instant global communications and the rise of artificial intelligence, we can easily become lost in speculation. So, are we in the end times? Yes.
The next stop is the return of Jesus. Will this be tomorrow or next week or next year? We just don’t know precisely when. But just as Jesus came 2000 years ago when the time was right, there will be a date and a time when Jesus will come again – exactly at the right time.
While it’s good to understand the Book of Revelation – after all, it is in the Bible – we must be careful not to let the confusion shift our focus. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and his complete victory over sin?
Understanding end times events and responding appropriately is sort of like taking in the gospel. When the Holy Spirit makes the gospel real and beautiful to someone for the first time, and we believe, we are likely filled with joy and gratitude and amazement. Do we fully understand the depths of God’s grace and how big his love really is? No. But we still have the right response even though there is much much more to learn.
The Bible does speak of this time – the time we’re in now – as the end times, but it also redirects our focus from date-calculating to discipleship. Jesus’ final words before ascending to heaven emphasized mission over mystery: "It is not for you to know times or seasons... but you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:7–8).
As theologian Jonathan Edwards noted, the proper response to eschatological urgency is not panic but passionate devotion to God’s purposes. A biblical view of the end times anchors believers in two truths: God remains sovereign over history, and Christ’s victory over sin and death is assured. Are we living in the end times? Yes. Let’s wait with joy and anticipation.
Jesus, we know you will come again because you said you will come again. I’m sorry for so often living as if this won’t happen. Thank you for your complete victory over sin and your love for us. Please cause me to live in light of your return.
Here’s Matthew 24:30-31 where Jesus is speaking:
“And the Son of Man will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” - Matthew 24:31
Song: Even So Come