Jesus said: “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” – Matthew 24:6-8 NLT
Do we live in the worst of times? Every week, it seems there is another school shooting or political assassination. War rages in Ukraine and Gaza. Even the earth itself seems to be falling apart. We grieve and we worry. Is this the end of the world?
I write this on the 24th anniversary of 9/11. That day, both New York and Washington, DC, were attacked and we wondered if soon the whole country would be as well. It seemed like the end of the world. But the country rallied. People came together. Churches were filled. And persons who previously wouldn’t be caught dead saying a prayer were actually praying in public. Of course, it didn’t last.
Soon there were wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Ebola epidemic, the COVID pandemic, George Floyd’s killing, and more–right up to the present day. Jesus says he will come again and put an end to all this violence and grief. But until then, there will be wars and rumors of wars, Christians will be hated and persecuted, and killed. “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all peoples will hear it—and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:12-14
These aren’t the worst of times. It only feels that way. And this isn’t the end of the world. It is the world as it has always been – broken, pain-filled, and in need of hope. Yet there is hope. Jesus has overcome the world’s brokenness. Jesus saves now. And Jesus will come again to make all things new.
Until then, we cry our tears, lift up our prayers, and trust that Jesus will not abandon us or forsake us. Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy). Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Pastor Mark