End Time Signs

Sorry, I rejected Dispensationalism shortly after my graduation from Dallas Theological Seminary, 1976.  This sort of idea must be rejected as unbiblical.  It has been wrong so often, it must be regarded as false prophecy.  Anyone can read Matthew 24, Mark 13, or Luke 21 and not draw these sensationalistic conclusions.  This sensational stuff makes great movies, but sorry theology.

What these texts plainly say is not that these are signs of the times, but the instruments by which Christians will be deceived.  What these texts clearly demand is that we never stop watching in prayer, and that we be careful not to abuse each other.

If there is anything in these verses that indicates that the end is near it would be that people who are so-called Christians, Christians in name only, have ceased to watch in prayer.  We had best be careful that we do not add or subtract from this.  This is our prayer.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’  And let him that hears say, ‘Come.’  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.  For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  He, Who testifies these things says, ‘Surely I come quickly.’  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.” — Revelation 22:17-21

The other significant indictor that the end is near is that so-called Christians are abusing each other.  However, such abuse has been prevalent in our society for nearly 1,000 years.  So where is the sign?

Faithless, ignorant, abusive, and prayerless societies have been among us since the dawn of creation, since Adam opened his eyes to behold the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.

Acts 1:7 resolves the problem with final authority: ‘He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” ’  Verse 8 points out that we are to focus on being faithful witnesses of what we know; rather than being idle speculators of that which is not our business.