Are we living in the last days? Judging by the number of videos and articles I see online, you’d have to conclude we must be. Certainly, the days are evil, darker, and more violent than most of us have ever seen in our lifetime. From a Biblical prophecy standpoint, there is nothing else foretold that is yet to be fulfilled. Indeed, much of what is happening in the geopolitical landscape seems to be aligning itself with prophecy.
But generations before ours have thought the same thing. Even the apostles thought Jesus would return during their lifetime (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). Whether or not we are living in the last days, our mission remains the same. We are to be using the gifts God has given us to reach others with the Gospel of Christ.
In some ways, whether we are living in the last days is irrelevant. Jesus told us to always be watching for His return (Mark 13:32-36). It doesn’t matter if He is coming back tonight or another thousand years in the future; the way we live should not change. If you would live differently knowing Jesus is coming tomorrow, then you aren’t living the way He wants you to live. The date of His return has no bearing on our commitment to Him. Sadly, we all know the reality of our situation is different.
We live as if He is never coming back. We believe He will return someday, but how many of us live in eager anticipation every day of seeing Jesus? I’ve spent more than half my life desperately desiring to be with Him. Yet even with that desperation, much of my daily activity does not reflect that of a person expecting to meet Jesus soon. This has to change. If we are living in the last days, shouldn’t we be acting like it? Shouldn’t we be doing everything we can to rid our lives of sin and commit ourselves wholly to Christ?
If we aren’t living in the last days, someday we may be. Some day will be our last one on earth. After that, there will never be another opportunity to get things right. There will never be another opportunity to surrender more fully and live with greater holiness. On our last day, we will have to give an account of how we spent the time and talents entrusted to us by God. There will be no excuses and no hedging, only the brutal truth.
I’ll admit it certainly seems like we could be living in the last days, but remember God was going to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if He could only find ten faithful people there (Genesis 18:26-33). Surely we have more than ten faithful people on earth? I’m not implying that threshold is some divine standard holding back God’s wrath, but simply pointing out God is extremely patient and generous with His mercy. His coming may be long after you and I have passed on. What we must do between now and then is to live our lives in complete surrender to Him, being good stewards of all He entrusts to us. Live as if this is your final day every day, and you will never have to worry whether or not you are living in the last days.