Hi! I am a new Christian and am struggling with the end times and the war with Israel. I came across this post about how the war was not a sign of the end times. I was wondering if he still felt this way or has a different view point?
My response:
Hi [name],
I absolutely feel the same way. I think it’s important to remember the context of history. This is hardly the first war that the Nation of Israel has been in since it was established in 1948. In fact, around this same time of year, back in the 70s Israel fought Egypt in the so-called Yom Kippur War. There was also the so-called Six Days war in 1967, the war with Lebanon in 1982, a war with Hezbollah in 2006, and countless skirmishes with Palestinians over the decades.
Israel being in war is as commonplace as anything in world affairs.
It has nothing to do with the return of Jesus. The Bible says that Christ will return “like a thief in the night.” His return will not be telegraphed or predicted. There were signs about the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in the year 70, but no signs are given about the second coming of Jesus. In that case, it will be like in the days of Noah. People knew judgment was coming, but they did not know when, they were not prepared, and so they died. Only those who believed and were prepared (Noah and his family) were saved.
So shall it be with the second coming of Christ.
Anyone who teaches about “end times” without acknowledging that we have been in the “end times” since the first century is a false teacher. The Book of Hebrews designates this period of history, lasting from the ascension of Jesus until the return of Jesus as “the last days” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Her reply came a few minutes later:
Oh my goodness thank you so much for your quick reply.
Do you feel like it holds significance to the Gog/Magog war? A lot of news I have seen talks about people turning against Israel. And how Russia is an ally of Iran.
And other countries at war.
My Facebook is filled with “the Bible is unfolding before our very eyes! Jesus is coming SOON! We aren’t supposed to see the northern lights God is coming!”
I’ve lost sleep over posts and videos from TikTok. I had to delete TikTok.
I am [age] with 2 small children and I selfishly want to live to see my children grow into adults.
My reply:
You’re welcome.
I see no connection between this conflict between Israel and Hamas and anything said in Revelation. I think Revelation is less about warning us about “dark days ahead” and more about promising us that victory is in Jesus, and that all who submit to Christ have nothing to fear. It’s a terrible shame that many false preachers and teachers misuse the Bible to try to “fear monger” and make people worried about their future. In Christianity, we have nothing to fear! God is in control. Christ is King. We are “more than conquerors!”
Things like the Northern Lights coming more southern than usual and other natural phenomena have happened throughout history for generations. A long time ago, an appearance by Haley’s Comet was met by doomsday predictors as a sign that the end was near. That was 200 years ago. The comet has returned since then.
I’m not saying the world WON’T end. It will. God has said as much. I’m only saying the Bible does not teach that Christians should live in fear of that day. Instead, we should rejoice in the hope of a better, forever, tomorrow, in which we will live with Christ whenever that day comes.
I am 40 years old with three children (one of them is still small), and I too, selfishly, want to see them grow into adults. We’re not in control of that, are we? All we can do is be prepared.
Deleting TikTok is smart, lol.
Her reply:
Thank you.
I know the end of the world will happen. I just hope I’m gone before that lol
When I saw the news about the war it was like something shook my core saying this it is, this is how it starts and it’s starting the end, my generation will see it happen.
Your post gave me hope in that I may have more time. That this war was not related to the Bible as I have seen almost everywhere I looked for information. Especially the TikTok videos of people crying claiming Jesus came to them and told them to get everyone ready. There are even news articles comparing the war to scripture.
And my reply:
To be clear, my goal is not to make you believe that you have more or less time. My point is it’s in God’s hands. It may be in fifty years, it may be in fifty minutes! Either way, we trust in God.
Live your life to the fullest, and that means in service to the Lord. If you do that, then not only will the troubles of the world not scare you, but the end of the world will not find you unprepared, whenever it may be.
Best wishes,
~Matthew