Jesus told his disciples that before
he would return in glory there would be earthquakes, famines, floods,
wars, plagues and persecution (Luke 21). In fact these things have
been going on for so long that even many Christians no longer believe
that Jesus will return to the earth just as he promised he would.
What seems like a long time to us however, is in reality a very short
time.
Monotheism as we know it began with
Abraham some 4,000 years ago. From Abraham to David and the
establishment of the kingdom of Israel was one thousand years. From
David to Jesus was another thousand years. In about 17 years we will
celebrate 2,000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus and
the birth of the Church. So while it is true that God is not bound by
any number or specific period of time on earth, it is also true that
patterns of harmony and symmetry are both aspects of the very Being
of God and of the way in which He reveals himself to us.
Modern forms of communication have made
it possible for the Gospel to be preached to the whole world. Hence
the task that Jesus gave to his disciples has been fulfilled and the present age of the Church is very close to completion as well. So
while is true that no one knows the day or the hour when Jesus shall
return, I think that the age of the Church will not extend
beyond the end of this century.
In the meantime we should recognize
that this is a time of preparation. Those who are not in a right
relationship with God will be terrified by the events that will
happen at the close of the present age. Only those who trust in Jesus
and have taken up their cross and followed him will be able to lift
up their heads and rejoice at the coming of the Lord.
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