The Beginning of the End?

The world seems to be on shaky ground right now.  There are wars and rumors of wars, severe weather patterns, religious conflict, moral relativism, various political factions vying for control,  scary technology, and an uncertain economic future.  There is far more than we can see on the surface, but once again a generation is asking . . .is this the end?

We have been studying the book of Revelation on Sunday mornings.  It is one of the most challenging studies in all of Scripture because of its three-fold literary style.  It is epistle, prohecy, and apocalyptic.  I must confess that my views on the book have changed over the years.  I originally did what many have done and interpreted it through the lens of modern day events.  While I still adhere to a futuristic perspective I can't ignore that it was written to churches.  It is because of its ecclesiatical audience and apocalyptic symbolism that I hesitate to come to dogmatic interpretations that are described in a 21st century "popular" context.  As I read other commentators I sometimes scratch my head and ask, "How did they come to that conclusion?  It isn't explicit in the text!"

This has taken our study in a different direction where the answer is often, "We don't know."  This can be unsettling as we all want answers about the future.  The text doesn't provide neat packaged answers that can be framed out in a 2011 scenario.  This doesn't mean that we ignore the book or treat it as second rate because we know that all scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16).  Instead we have simply been trying to keep Jesus as the focus and asking "How should we currently live in light of His return?"

Are the events that are currently unfolding around the world signalling the beginning of the end?  We don't know.  What we do know is that Jesus wants us to not lose heart, keep our focus on Him, and stay true to His Great Commandment and Great Commission.  Now that we can be certain of!