The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place….Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which were written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:1a, 3 NKJV

I keep hearing that the end times are here or imminently near. Is Jesus coming back this year or within the next few years? Is the Tribulation described in Revelation about to happen?

The Apostle John wrote Revelation in about A.D. 95. He states that the things shown to Him by Jesus Christ must shortly take place and that the time is near. Christians have waited for so long. However, we can agree that it is sooner than it was back then. Why do so many people think the end is near now?

Jesus’ disciples asked Him how they would know when He was coming and the end would occur.

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come…There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:4–6, 7b–8 NIV

Jesus went on to tell the disciples that they would be persecuted, put to death, and hated because of Him. (Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:9,12–13) Persecution of Christians has increased. According to Open Doors World Watch List 2023, more than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.*

Jesus warned that there would be false prophets and that people would turn from their faith in Him. Christianity is declining around much of the world and churches are closing.

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other….Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:10,12–14 NIV

It sounds to me that Jesus could be coming soon! When will He come?

We have signs, but not the time, as Jesus told His disciples (Mark 13; Matthew 24).

But about the day and hour no one knows, not even the angels, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man….Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come….So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:36–37, 42,44 NIV

There are instructions for us in Jesus’ words. Let’s review them.

• Watch out that no one deceives you. We need to know the truth from Scripture.
• See to it that you are not alarmed. So many things are alarming right now, but we can trust the Lord who holds our future.
• The one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Ephesians 6:10–18 tells us to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand.
• This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world. This is the Lord’s commandment. Why is it hard for me to share Christ with my non-believing friends and family? They are the ones I most desire to see in heaven with me. I need to be obedient. How about you?
• Keep watch…be ready. The Lord is coming. The time is near.

Dear Lord, please forgive my complacency. Please help me to stand firm and obedient, expecting Jesus when He comes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

*opendoors.org/en-US/ Open Door is a global membership organization with 25 national bases. They share one mission, to support persecuted Christians worldwide and strengthen what remains.

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Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

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