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Are we troubled and distressed by all the Daily News Reports in the many news media confronting us?
Every day, it seems like things are gathering speed, coming fast and furious and to a frightening head. We read of environmental and natural disasters everywhere, screams of climate changes, global warming, Ebola attacks, ISIS beheadings and Boko Haram attacks etc, etc. Some of us find it even more perplexing that such shocking inhumane acts, ranging from sheer greed and evil acts are reported increasingly in the news media. As Christians who believe that God is in full control of everything what is our response?
Some read into the events the sign of the exact Day of the Lord’s (Jesus) return. Speculations are dangerous as Jesus clearly taught in the Bible: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt 24:36). Hence, theories on decoding when exactly the Day of the Lord’s coming are not scriptural. What will these speculations do to us when they fail in their predictions repeatedly? Why is this so? The Bible teaches that the Day of the Lord refers to a period of time, not to a particular date. We are in the “last days” as were Christians who lived in early Church times because the term “last days” refers to the whole period of time from Jesus’ ascension until His soon return (Acts 2:16,17; Heb 1:1, 2).
The Christian’s response to the occurrences of world events as prophesised is to get going with preaching the gospel of Jesus. Jesus clearly declares that the worldwide spread of the gospel hastens the end (Matt 24:6). The Church will determine when the Day of the Lord occurs – by preaching the gospel of Jesus and completing God’s Great Commission to us. These point to God’s plan where all peoples will be given the opportunity to believe or reject Jesus who will be the Judge (Matt 25:31-32). Jesus’ return is imminent and every Christian walking with the Lord should encourage one another (Heb 10:25). They are to be involved in building bridges, “Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others” (2 Cor 5:11). Let us respond to the Bible teaching that it is the Christian’s response to preach the gospel that will hasten the Day of the Lord.
