I just finished reading a blog by Father John Hollowell [ http://on-this-rock.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-battle-of-our-age.html?m=1 ] in regard to how many things, and many people seem to be talking about the the End of the World. From my vantage point, I would agree.
Whether you call it the End Times, Armageddon, The Final Judgment, or by its more academic and theological name - Eschatology - it seems the thoughts in our heads, that passes our lips and finds fertile soil in others’ ears is the idea that the world is breathing its last, dying gasps; that indeed, Christ is coming, and soon. Many think that He is in the advanced stages of planning His one last descent from Heaven into this world. He is mustering the Angels to send them flying to the four corners of the earth, scythes in hands, ready to separate, at long last, the wheat from the tares. The Angelic trumpeters and choirs are readying their lips and voices that have been hardly used since one cold night in Bethlehem. We seem to be on the brink of the End.
Why does this seem to be on everyone’s lips? Why does it seem that every blog, magazine clipping and journal article is concerned with the End?
The world, for one, seems to be coming unglued. Everywhere you turn there are those “wars and rumors of wars [Matthew 24.6ff].” The persecution of Christians seems to be on the rise. Natural disasters seem to have stepped up. It sure sounds like what the Bible talks about when it speaks of the 2nd Coming.
But it’s not just individual Christians, the Church Herself seems to be caught between the crosshairs in a way that it hasn’t for sometime - right here in the United States. Yes, the Church and her many denominations has been declining for decades in the U.S. However, people in our country are no longer willing to walk away from the Church and let Her be. Now it seems that it is Open Season on hunting the Church down and eradicating Her from every street corner, every neighborhood.
Yes, I do believe we are getting closer and closer to that D-Day, where the visions of Daniel and St. John the Apostle become the realities that is our lives.
But Jesus told us this was coming. St. Luke writes…
25“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21
The Disciples knew. We know. Jesus IS coming again. When He does we have nothing to fear for He tells us…
28Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21
We’ve NOTHING to fear when that Last Day comes. For we are found in Him. We are grafted into Him [Romans 11.11ff]. We abide in Him and He in us [John 15]. We are square with the Father through His Son, Jesus. No, we have nothing to fear. We must remain vigilant, prayerful, intentional, evangelical, ever watchful.
That said, the days ahead for Christians and the Bride of Christ - the Church. We must be prepared for battle, and St. Paul eloquently tells us…
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. [Ephesians 6.10-20].
These wonderful Gifts of the Holy Spirit will see us through to the Last Day. But we must put them on in order to be prepared for the battle. We must be in Christ - prayer, devotion, reading, attending church - these are how we put on the Armor of Christ.
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