"What is that to you? You follow Me.
Jesus' answer is interesting, "If it is my will that he remain until I come", meaning if Jesus wanted it to happen that way it would. Notice what he tells Peter next, "What is that to you? You follow me. Jesus has already tasked his followers with the great commission and now he has asked Peter to feed his (Jesus') sheep and leave the rest in GOD's hands. John is interesting in that through the visions he experienced on Patmos (Revelation) in the spirit he was given to see Jesus' triumphant return, so in a sense he did remain until he saw Jesus came again.
My hope in writing this is to point out, Jesus said no one would know the day or time of his return, but GOD only. I know your thinking well if Jesus is GOD he should know that, right? You see Jesus chose to lay down that part in the incarnation. GOD is omnipresent meaning present everywhere simultaneously, Jesus couldn't be in the incarnation for he was fully human he chose to lay that part down. GOD is omniscient - having total knowledge, we know that Jesus talked to GOD regularly (he prayed), there was a plan and he relied on direction, guidance, and timing from GOD daily just like we are all called to do. Finally omnipotent - all powerful, again to be human Jesus chose to lay this down too. When I use the term lay it down, don't misunderstand, Jesus was fully GOD and fully man, he willingly humbled himself and became like us, he could have chosen to pick it all back up in a blink of an eye, but that was never the plan.
The question - Using scriptures i.e.. Revelation and other key passages of other parts of scripture will we be able to tell when the rapture, the second coming, the great tribulation is going to happen? Well even though Jesus said, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matt 24:36 There has been may people past and present that have attempted to set a date and make Jesus a liar, which is basically what any prediction like that boils down to.
Here are just a few reasons why I think all of these things will elude us -
- The religious leaders and the disciples had all of the books of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms and even when Jesus was telling them what was about to happen they were totally blindsided. It wasn't until after the resurrection and he "opened their minds" (Luke 24:45) did they fully comprehend. Why? Paul puts it in this light, "None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 1 Corinthians 2:8
- GOD kept his plan hidden from everyone, this included the Devil, his angels, the demons and their earthly minions. Now about the rapture, the second coming, the great tribulation. When Jesus defeated, Hell and death on the cross and took back the keys from Satan (Revelation 1:18), he set the captives free, gave gifts unto men.
A total aside, there is no need to storm the gates of Hell by the way Jesus has the keys, it's not a problem any more.
When Jesus evicted the Devil and his angels from heaven, the war in Heaven when Michael and his angels gave them the boot, (Revelation 12:7-9) they were thrown down to the Earth. They are here and currently actively involved in the Grand Stalling Tactic, trying to prevent their own demise all the while waging war on GOD's people, those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. The rebels dropped the ball the first time and were totally sidelined by Jesus and his death on the cross. The Devil and his buddies don't want this to happen again so they are actively trying to figure all this out too and they are highly motivated. So who do you think has a better chance of figuring it out, the end times sequence and timing, a five to six thousand year old being who's learned a few tricks along the way or someone who's only been on this planet for say twenty to eightyish years? (Hint: neither one is gonna figure it out)
The one thing we need to be mindful of is Matthew 24:12 - because lawlessness will be increased the love of many will grow cold is a reminder we are called to love - Agape. To make it a choice, regardless of feelings or end times. We are called to spread the good news of Jesus all over the world, to endure until the end. We are called to keep the first things first, to fulfill the great commission something all followers of Jesus have been called to do.
I think these are all timely thoughts considering a lot of things happening in the world of late, everything from shootings, to the fairly regular falling away of high profile people that have claimed to be followers of Jesus in the past, but have had a change of heart and mind on the matter. From sporting events that lean into things outside the realm of sports to innocent children killed in bloody conflicts. Lots of things are happening on the world stage. So again it begs the question, are we in the last days? Oh most definitely, but so too was the early Church. (Our concept of time needs some maturing)
Final thoughts about end times -Seek the lost, share the good news of Jesus Christ, Agape even when you think they don't deserve it (because we, I certainly didn't), and like Peter feed his sheep and tend his lambs, if GOD has called you to that and if something is distracting you from the great commission remember, "What is that to you? You follow me (Jesus)."
Next - I'm not sure, I'm just waiting on him.
I post regularly on X, Instagram, and Pinterest and I'm currently working my way thru Chronicles maybe I will see you there. GOD is faithful so follow him.
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