Ask A Pastor – March 16, 2016
Ask A Pastor
Scott T. Sharp, Pastor
First Baptist Church Nashville
Question: "Are we in the 'last days'? How do you know?"
The earth and its inhabitants have been in the last days since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. With each passing day, Christ’s appearing draws closer and it is closer now than it has ever been.
Many in past generations have claimed Christ would return during their generation, but their claims were based on singular events interpreted as signs of an imminent return. Today many of us believe we are truly living in the last days, not because of a singular event but because we are seeing a convergence of many biblical prophecies coming to pass in concert with one another. This has not happened before.
The Bible makes many references to the last days and gives many clues about the time of Jesus’ return. Jesus said in Matthew, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Anyone who pays attention to world events knows that all of the things Jesus mentioned are on the increase.
Two of the most specific passages about the last days are found in 2 Timothy. Chapter 3 we read: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.“ We see all these things taking place all over the world. Chapter 4 says, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” We also see this happening everywhere.
Recently, we witnessed 4 blood moons and a lunar eclipse, a rare phenomenon that won’t occur again for many decades. In Luke we read: “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Will you be ready when Jesus comes again?
