Is Jesus coming soon?

Some Christians say we are in the ‘last days’ and Jesus will soon return. Others say that the world has always been full of bad stuff like it is now. Others argue that biblically saying that the ‘last days’ is the period between Jesus’ ascension to heaven and when He returns. Regardless of when it is, there are several descriptions of what will characterize this period in history. Here is one of them:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (2 Timothy 3:1–9)

This list does not cover everything. Paul also wrote that in later times “some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:1–3) Other ungodly activities are listed elsewhere with most of them like a fortune cookie; they could be about any part of the world and any era of time.

However the above passage suggests to me that since I am going to be part of the good news and show it by the way I live, I need to pay attention to certain things that are opposite to the way people behave during ‘last days’ of doom and gloom.

For instance, I need to love Jesus Christ and others. Self-love is easy; trusting God to meet all my needs and loving others is my biggest battle. This is not a new thing for Christians, nor a new truth about all people. Sin and selfishness are partners, not recent to the world.

A last-day problem with money is not a new problem either. Perhaps the passage means a focus on money will increase. That seems true in North America. Is it worldwide? I’m not sure. For me, my faith must be in the God who meets all my needs, not in money; it does not come close.

The next items on the list are attitudes. The opposites are humility, considering others, kindness, honoring parents, thankful, holy, thoughtful, easy to please, edifying others, and having all Spirit-filled qualities, including self under His control. I’m to be gentle, love good, loyal, careful, selfless, unconcerned about personal pleasure, and focused on loving and glorifying God. There are likely many more adjectives, but this is the kind of person others want to be around, not avoid.

Not only are Christians to have great attitudes, our lives must show it. We are not to be deceptive, trying to trick people with weaknesses or take advantage of those with problems. We are to be totally involved with truth and our faith in Jesus. If we fall away from that, it will be obvious. False teachers can fake it, but those who know the Lord are either “on or off” and cannot act godly when we are operating in the flesh instead of the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Lord Jesus, no wonder the last days will bring times of difficulty. To live out my faith in a world that opposes all that I believe and stand for will require a great deal of commitment and courage. I’m just so thankful that You are the source of that kind of determination. I can love and follow You because You love me and are with me all the time and in every situation. It may be the last days, but because of Your grace and power, You will have the last word about what goes on in this world and in my life!

Today’s thankful list . . .

Hubby’s courage as doctor removes two more skin cancers.

Strength for each day, along with joy.

Able to purge just a bit more ‘stuff’ and simplify life.

A really good iron.

Fresh fruit.