Some people think that the world is ending soon. Some
Christians sects have been teaching that ‘it’s a minute to midnight’ for nigh
on two hundred years! ‘The Great Disappointment’ refers to an event on 22nd
October 1844 when thousands of Christians gathered to watch the skies for the supposed
immanent return of Jesus Christ. They’re still at it! Books, television shows
and movies have been made to promote this idea. However, Jesus says, “But about
that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but
only the Father” (Mark 13:32). Yes, we struggle to understand how even the Son
did not know the date of His return, much in the same way we wrestle with His
words to His Father in the shadow of the cross, ‘Not as I will, but as You will’
(Matt. 26:39b).Image from Web
‘The Word was God … and the Word became flesh and
dwelt among us’ (John 1:1b, 14a). The Godman is going to return from the place
He ascended to after His resurrection to dwell among His redeemed people on the
redeemed planet Earth. However, no one knows when. So, why the confusion? Jesus
was addressing His immediate hearers, not some future generation, ‘Truly I tell
you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have
happened’ (Matt. 24:34). Typically, a generation is around forty years. Jesus accurately
predicted the major event which took place some forty years later.
The destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies climaxed
with the demolition of the Temple AD 70. Therefore, those of that generation
knew that things were ending soon. In simple terms, God’s removal of the Temple
was the end of the Old Testament way of doing things and the transition to the
New Testament administration. It is the difference between the old covenant and
the new covenant spoken of by Jeremiah and the author of Hebrews, (Jer 31:31-34;
Heb. 10:11-18). The period of transition is recorded in the Book of Acts, which
is sometimes referred to as The Acts of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:16-17, ‘But
this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “It shall come to pass in the
last days, says God, that I will pour My Spirit on all flesh…”’ Notice the
mention of ‘the last days.’ When were these last days? Again, the last days
climaxed in AD 70. Image from Web
But what about our own generation? When are the last
days for us? Is the world ending soon? Should we be outside watching the sky? Or
should we be seeking to disciple all the nations, as per the administration of
the new covenant into which the non-Jewish nations are now to be included? ‘Then
Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age’ (Matt. 28:18-20). The KJV has Jesus saying. ‘I am with
you always, even unto the end of the world.’ Therefore, the end of the age and
the end of the world mean the same thing.
Before He ascended to Heaven bodily, from whence He
shall return bodily, Jesus said, ‘It is for your good that I am going away.
Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him
to you’ (John 16:7). The Spirit of Christ will work through His Church on earth
to disciple the nations. We still have a long way to go in this awesome
endeavour. Therefore, we would not expect the word to be ending soon.
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