The Last Days

People often ask me my opinion of how Jesus will return and how the world will end and, in particular, about my interpretation of the book of Revelation. One of the privileges of being a pastor is the right to express my opinion on matters that truly matter. Some people in the church worry about the end of the world as though if they believe the wrong thing, they may somehow miss out on Jesus' return. Others boldly (and sometimes foolishly) predict how the end will come and even point to evidence that it is near at hand.

For me, Revelation is exciting, joyful and comforting. It is the only book in the Bible written specifically to us, to followers of Jesus who live in this in-between time, waiting for Jesus' second coming. Revelation is a guide post for the church, a beacon of hope in the midst of turmoil. Jesus appeared to John in glorious form and instructed him to write "what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later" (Rev. 1:19). That's the outline of Revelation: a dramatically symbolic telling of things that took place during Jesus' time on earth, of things that are taking place now in the church, and of things that will come to pass at the very end of this age.

We live in the "what is now" time which much of Revelation describes. By "we," I mean every follower of Jesus since John until now and on and on through the generations until the final events of this age and the creation of the new heaven and new earth. We are living Revelation, just as the church has for 2,000 years. We see anti-christs come and go; we endure persecution and tribulation; we suffer under the weight of political and economic oppression. And most importantly, we overcome all these trials through Jesus.

Our world is a scary place. Jesus said we will hear of wars and revolutions. He said hardships would come. He promised persecution and trouble for His followers. And yet, more powerful than anything that stands against us, Jesus also promised that because He overcame the world, so will all who follow Him as Lord. "To him who overcomes," Jesus said, "I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne" (Rev. 3:21). This is our hope, and nothing in the world can take it away.