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Are We Living In the Last Days?

Core Christianity / Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier
The Truth Network Radio
December 26, 2024 9:00 am

Are We Living In the Last Days?

Core Christianity / Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier

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December 26, 2024 9:00 am

Are we living in the end times? Pastor Adriel Sanchez answers this question from the New Testament and encourages us in how we should conduct our lives in the last days. ——— JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER - https://solamedia.org/newsletter/ ——— FOLLOW US - Instagram - X/Twitter - Facebook ——— WHO WE ARE - Sola is home to White Horse Inn, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, and Theo Global. Our mission is to serve today’s global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. Our vision is to see reformation in hearts, homes, and churches

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Recently, English podcaster Russell Brand asked this question on X, are we in the end times as we speak? I remember some years ago, there was this book written, 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. It was this argument that Christ was coming back in 1988.

Here's a number of reasons why. Over the years, many people have made similar claims about the end of the world. We're there. It's coming up.

It's right around the corner. And especially when people turn on the news and think about the cultural degradation, the wars and rumors of war, the stuff going on in the Middle East, they conclude we must be living in the end times. So are we? Beyond the shadow of a doubt, we are in fact living in the end times.

And let me say one other thing. We actually have been in the end times for about 2,000 years. This is really clear when you read the New Testament. If we go to Acts chapter 2 in the day of Pentecost, for example, listen to what Peter said, quoting the prophet Joel. And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even on my male servants and female servants, in those days I will pour out my spirit. And they shall prophesy, and I will show wonders in the heavens above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The interesting thing to note there is that right before Peter quotes that prophecy from Joel chapter 2, he says to the people that are there gathered on the day of Pentecost, this what's happening here around us is exactly what Joel was prophesying. He couldn't say in more clear language, we are living right now in the last days. And this is actually the testimony of the entire New Testament. The other apostles said the same thing.

For example, here's what John says in 1st John chapter 2. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come, therefore we know that it is the last hour. And so now maybe you're wondering, okay, you're saying we've been living in the last days for 2,000 years, what's taking Jesus so long? You know, he said he was coming if we have really been in the end times for 2,000 years, what's to say that he actually is ever going to return? Well, it's really interesting because Peter in another passage of scripture gives an answer to that question specifically, and he says the reason actually Jesus is tearing, the reason Jesus has not returned yet is because he's still gathering men and women from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Jesus has not yet returned because he is still gathering people into his kingdom.

He's being patient toward you. Peter said, this is 2nd Peter chapter 3, but do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. And so we are actually living in the end times right now, and the Bible says that we should live a certain way in light of this.

Peter immediately followed up what I just read to you there with these words. He continues, since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn. But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. So how should you live in light of the fact that these are the last days? One, we should be committed to lives of holiness and godliness, waiting patiently for the coming of the day of the Lord, not clinging to this present evil age, but with hope and expectation, looking forward to the age to come, that promise that God has given to us in his son, Jesus, Jesus who's going to return to redeem us fully and finally. And actually, again, Peter, in another book in 1 Peter 4, talks about some of the practical implications of this, what it looks like to live in light of the end.

Here's what he says. The end of all things is at hand. Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever speaks is one who speaks oracles of God. Whoever serves is one who serves by the strength that God supplies, in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. I've always loved those verses because Peter basically says, the end is here and we expect him to follow that up with something like, hunker down. Things are going to get really bad. Move somewhere far away where the antichrist state isn't going to be able to reach you.

Maybe we should homestead or something like that, and yet Peter doesn't say that. He says, actually don't panic, but pray. Be committed to prayer. Love one another. Show hospitality to one another. Serve one another for the glory of God.

It's the opposite of panic and run away. He says, no, actually be more invested in your community and in the body of Christ. As you do that, you are eagerly anticipating the coming of the Lord. You are living in light of the end. So, are you living in light of the fact that we are in the last days? The Lord is my shepherd.

I shall not want. So begins one of the most beloved passages in the entire scripture. But how deeply do we grasp the heart of Psalm 23? This Psalm is a celebration of our shepherd's care and comfort, especially during trials and suffering. It's also a humbling reminder that we're all, well, silly sheep.

We're helpless and prone to wander. But above all, Psalm 23 calls us to find our greatest joy in knowing the Good Shepherd himself. Support the work of Sola with the gift of any amount before the end of the year. And as a thank you, we'll send you a hard copy cover of David Gibson's wonderful new book, The Lord of Psalm 23. Gibson's book helps us to trust and to praise the character of the Lord who leads us through this life's valleys and fulfills every longing in the green pastures of the life to come. Get your copy today with the gift of any amount at solamedia.org slash offers. That's solamedia.org forward slash offers.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-12-26 10:19:58 / 2024-12-26 10:23:15 / 3

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