When is the end going to come?
Many Christians, theologians and end times teachers believe in what is called, the imminent return of Christ. This is a subset of the belief in the pre-tribulation rapture. Those who believe in the imminent return not only believe that Jesus will return for his church before the tribulation but believe there are no more prophecies that must be fulfilled before Jesus’ return.
Many date setters in the past however, believed that Jesus would return at any time and that they could figure out the date. William Miller predicted Jesus return which lead to the great disappointment in 1844. One major prophetic event that has now occurred since then is that Israel has become a nation again, seeming to fulfill parts of Ezekiel 37. Some would say that this did not need to happen for Jesus return but that it was just a prophecy that happened to be fulfilled before Jesus return. Certainly it is possible that Jesus may return any time and that the interpretations of what prophecy should come before his return may be wrong. Those who believe Jesus can’t return until certain prophecy is fulfilled do not believe there is something “holding” Jesus back, as much as they are saying, Jesus won’t return until after what God predicted would happen, first happens.
One passage in the Bible that seems to contradict the theory of Jesus imminent return is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 “ Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” This seems to indicate that there will be a rebellion (falling away) from the church and that the Antichrist will be revealed before Jesus returns. Some would say this is for people living in the end times who are not believers to understand.
No one knows for sure when the end times will start or when the rapture will happen or when the Tribulation or Great Tribulation will be. Many people think we are in such times now and there is growing interest in that possibility. Certainly others have thought this before and have thought so, as far back as 2000 years ago. If we study the prophecy of the Bible and pray for God’s guidance and wisdom then there is surely something to be gained from studying prophecy, it is after all, God’s word and makes up a large part of the Bible. Becoming familiar with the prophecies concerning the end of the age and studying history and being a watchmen on the wall (paying attention to what is happening now, in light of prophecy) should give you a better understanding of when the end times are as well as what they are. Your study may lead you to believe that we are now indeed in the end times. Be careful however, not to set dates of Jesus return. Even if we are in the end times we do not know exactly when Jesus will return for the church. The Bible says Jesus will come as a thief in the night but he also says the believer should not be surprised. Read, 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6 “ Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. ” Jesus also told us to learn the
lesson of the fig tree. It does seem possible that we can know the season of the end times and that we should use that knowledge to be prepared spiritually and to help prepare others.
