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“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5

The “end times” began the moment Jesus ascended into heaven, right after He gave His disciples the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). And it has lasted over 2000 years, with each generation believing that the Lord would soon return. This is a good thing, as this anticipation has motivated Christians to live as if Christ will come back at any moment—an attitude that keeps us focused on the things of heaven. But now, as my pastor says often, “we are at the end of the end times.”

Is this the “worst” things have been since Jesus walked this earth? Well, I can confidently say that it’s most certainly more terrible than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. As a U.S. citizen who has been relatively aware through my teen years and adulthood of national and global goings on, I believe that the list in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is clearly manifest. Just looking at America through the lens of those verses (“lovers of self, lovers of money, abusive, ungrateful slanderous, without self-control, brutal, treacherous, lovers of pleasure…”), I see a very different country than the one I grew up in.

If there was a coin that was, on one side, printed with “The end is near,” what would be on the flip side? For believers and unbelievers alike, it would clearly be inscribed: “The time is now.”

For believers: The time is now to focus on the Gospel truth. With cultural “realities” now arguable on every side and “truth” having become relative and individualized, we must know God’s Word (the Bible) and stand firm on it. To know the absolute Truth of God means we are less likely to be deceived by the lies of the enemy. The time is now to be faithful in word and action, living out God’s Truth to be a light in the ever-growing darkness. And the time is now to share God’s Truth with others. With illness and death in the forefront each day, people are thinking more and more about what will happen to them after death. We, sisters, have the answer.

For unbelievers: The time is now to trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. No one denies that we live in a broken world full of broken people. That brokenness (sin) separates us from a relationship with God. But God sent His Son into the world to live the perfect life we cannot live, die on the cross to pay the penalty we deserve, and rise victorious over sin and death. Accepting this gift of grace restores our relationship with God, so we will live forever with Him in heaven.

Friend, we don’t know exactly when the “end times” will end. But whether Jesus comes back for His followers today, next year, or 1000 years from now, the “end is near” because our own end is near—the death rate for humanity is 100%. So, if you know the Truth, live it and share. But if you’re unsure what death will bring, accept the Truth of Jesus Christ. The time is now.

“Lord, the global situation seems to be pointing to your imminent return. May I be bold and unashamed to share Your Truth with others.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life