The End of The World

“Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the World." Matthew 24:3

The disciples threw this question at Jesus while he was on Mount Olives. like many of us today, they were curious. They wanted to know when! Jesus gives an overwhelmingly comprehensive response. Here is part of what He says.

“Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 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 24:4-8

Jesus goes on to foretell more signs of the end times in the whole chapter of Matthew 24, Many of which without a shadow of doubt we are seeing and experiencing today.

This has provoked an increasing interest among all nations on when the world is coming to an end. From the recently observed full blood moon to tones of present day prophets. From increased natural calamities to an entirely sinful world. All around us, we can see. I have been feeling convicted throughout the week to speak about this issue. So I will put on hold my Abu Dhabi diaries blog ( refer to the previous blog) and address this topic as the Spirit leads me.

If you are like me, thinking about the end of the world and hearing about all the prophesies can be quite distracting. In fact draining. The more you think about it, the more you give up on any hope left for humanity. And you feel helpless and and physically demotivated to go after your dreams, to discover your purpose and to serve God.

Jesus after giving an account of the end times nevertheless Jesus makes a profound statement:

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows." Matthew 24:36

How deep is that? That even Jesus Himself acknowledged that he knew not the day His second coming. Why do we then spend a lot of time speculating? Others are daring. They go ahead and quote dates!

While thinking about this topic last couple of days, God has been bringing to my attention the Parable of the 3 servants (also commonly reffered to as the parable of the talents), which Jesus told after he had finished speaking about the signs of the last days.

Please be patient with me as I explain this, I believe that God has a word for us.

The parable goes like this:

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. "Matthew 25:14-15.

In this parable we see a Master going on a journey for a long time. Before he leaves, he gives coins of silver to His 3 servants. To one He gives 5 coins, to another 2 coins and to the other one coin-I encourage you to study the whole teaching.The first 2 servants doubled what the master had given to them. The third one decided to dig a hole to hide the money.

Let me just pause there for a second and ask a question. What is it that God has given you that you have decided to burry. Is it a talent, an idea, a project, a ministry, what is it that you got afraid to pursue and gave up on. Think about that thing as we proceed. I am praying for you.

The master if you read the whole story is happy with what the first 2 servants did with the money but is very disappointed with the servant that buried his. Note that He gave each servant their proportion according to their ability.

You may not have the ability that the other person has. Their talent, their looks, their level of education, anything that you are using to compare yourself against them; but God is asking if only you could give back an equal share of what He has blessed you with. Just at least 2 talents for 2 abilities, not 5 for 2.

Why do I use this parable in relation to this topic? It is because Jesus first gave it, in relation to this topic.

It is clear that before the the End of the world we've got work to do.

So therefore we can not afford to be lazy or side tracked by all the predictions of when the world will come to an end. While I genuinely do feel convinced in my spirit that the end is near, We should not let all the predictions shift our eyes off the finish line. It is a tool the devil is using to keep us distracted and confused.

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 ( Jesus was talking about entertaining distructions)

Another thing is that our calling is urgent. Now more than ever the world needs to hear about the love of God. It is a matter of urgency, we do not have the luxury of time.

"We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work." John 9:4

And the last thing is that our mission must be completed. That we shall not start and then stop. Its time to be everything that God has called us to be.

"But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." Acts 20:24

In conclusion, as I studied the Book of Revelation as it accounts the actual events of the second coming of Christ, I came across this scripture and the way in which I received it, If I do not write anything else, I want this to be the word you keep in your heart.

"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

I feel in the spirit that this is the time for Sealing. It is time for sealing. It is time for sealing. It is time for sealing. Our business is not to get caught up with predicting the end, rather to prepare ourselves for the end.

Now more than ever is the time to get our lives together and to be everything that God called us to be. It is time to make sure that our names are in In the book of life. It is time to do the work that has been assigned to us. It is time to dig out our buried talents. You and me together. We have just a little more time.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into.You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." Matthew 24:42-44

May the Lord bless you and perfect your focus

Lots of Love,

Joanna