These are strange times. Weather events, earthquakes, war, political strife; everything, and I mean everything seems to be in flux. There’s nothing that’s sure, nothing we can count on these days; at least that’s how it appears—if you’re paying attention. I think a lot of Americans tend to distance themselves from the turmoil except when something of note happens in their neck of the woods. I watch the news regularly, including foreign news feeds, but I’ve found that it’s still easy to lose track of what’s happening. I’m not working a 9 to 5 job anymore but I keep busy; and if I’m traveling or engaged in some activity over several days, my routines are disrupted and I lose sight of what’s going on elsewhere. Misery is experienced by someone, somewhere all the time. But when that misery is only viewed on the television or the phone it’s easy to dismiss it or ignore it, disengage from it. But I continue to try and stay in touch and consider what’s happening, looking to determine its significance.

Of course I’m doing that as a believer in the One True God presented to us in the Bible. Because of this perspective, when I hear of all that’s going on throughout the world I try and understand it in light of the gospel. One aspect of the gospel that often gets significant attention by believers has to do with the return of the Christ and what amounts to the end of the world. I’ve spoken about this previously and I’m focusing on it again. Specifically, the last book of the Bible, John’s Revelation, gives a “sensational” rendition of the process and progress whereby the world will move toward the end of the age and the return of Jesus. However, the apocalyptic theme is presented in a manner that focuses on the supernatural dynamic that informs the progress of world affairs. And because of the sensational form of the presentation it’s difficult to interpret with precision the meaning of this work. A case in point is the section in which the Revelation indicates that there would be a period of time lasting a thousand years that will precede the end of the world. (Revelation 20:1-10) Some conclude from the text that Jesus will return and rule the world during that period; others think the church and its leadership will preside over world affairs during that time prior to the return of the Christ. Jesus Himself was asked by His disciples what would signal His return and the end of days; and His response seems quite relevant for us now:

“See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:4-14)

It is true that much of what Jesus said can be applied to other eras of the past. But it is also the case that prophetic utterances in the Bible often have multiple references; meaning they apply to events in the immediate future and to events that will occur much later. And everything that’s depicted in the Lord’s response can be seen to be in play throughout the world right now! There’s been weather events and extreme conditions; upheaval, both natural and social; conflict resulting from competing beliefs; wars, both small and great. The point I’m trying to make here is that all the spectacular events that have occurred in the world of late—whether they’re the result of nature or human activity—prompts a consideration of the end of days…doesn’t it?

The latest event is the war in Israel. What, if anything, does that have to do with the end of the world? My answer to that question is: I don’t know. I don’t know how it all fits together so I’m not really promoting a specific interpretation of current events, or their place in the progress of God’s agenda. What I want to offer are some thoughts regarding those current events and to suggest how they may be significant. The first thing to recognize is that Jewish folks, as a distinct people group, should to be regarded as a focus of the Lord. Their origins and history are presented to us in the Bible. And those origins continue to inform our understanding of God this side of the cross. The author of the New Testament book of Hebrews went to great lengths to interpret the appearance of Jesus, the Son of God, as a fulfillment of Old Testament promises made to the patriarch of the Israelites, Abraham. We, that is, gentile Christians, are a partial fulfilliment of Old Testament promises made to Abraham. This is indicated in God’s initial calling of Abraham, who was originally named Abram.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3; bold type is my addition)

Think about that! It suggests for us one reason why the Lord insured that the genealogies of the Jewish people were given focus in both the Old, and to a lesser extent, the New Testament. God’s blessings resulting from the appearance of the Christ are, in part, the result of Abraham’s obedience to God many centuries before Jesus appeared. The Apostle Paul speaking to the Galatians made the same connection pointing out that Abraham’s faith prompted the promise of God to bless all the “families of the earth.” And we share in that blessing through our faith in what the Christ did for us on the cross. (Galatians 3:1-9)

This lends itself to an appreciation of, and support for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. As Christians our salvation through Jesus Christ is derived from a promise made to Abraham; who was the forebear of the Jewish people. In what sense is this significant for the modern world? I’m not sure. Some anticipate a rebuilding of the temple and the establishment of new forms of the rituals of the Old Testament leading up to the end of the age or in the age to come. Others think that the Jewish people will at some point forsake the Old Testament regimen altogether and embrace the Christian teaching regarding Jesus. The notion that Jewish folks will eventually respond to the gospel is indicated in Paul’s letter to the Romans. And I think that America’s continued support of Israel is in part derived from our Christian heritage informed by the Bible.

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in: and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”  From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were once disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. (Romans 11:25-32)

There is a lot of discussion about how such passages need to be interpreted. I’m not trying to promote a particular view here; I just want to make you aware of the ongoing concern the Lord has for Israel. What constitutes that concern and what form His concern will take is not my focus. What I do want to point out is that what happens in Israel is significant in our progress toward the end of days. It is one more thing that’s suggestive with regard to the end of this age and the return of Jesus Christ!

The challenge I’m making is: Are you paying attention? Are you taking note of, and considering the significance of, everything that’s taking place in the world today? Floods, fires, storms, political unrest, wars: and now a biblically significant war in Israel; what does it all mean? Are you hoping against hope that it will all work out in the end, continuing to conduct business as usual? Or are you considering the real possibility of the end of days and altering your approach to life accordingly? I’m not suggesting that we need to curl up and wait for the end; I’m suggesting that our awareness should be heightened and our horizons adjusted so as to reflect a realistic acknowledgment that the world will end and our investments in this life should be such that they reflect that understanding! Hoarding money; or focusing on self-distraction through the media and entertainment won’t serve us well in the long run. Even our focus on family, as important as that is, should be informed by the stark reality of a world in tumult and the eventual end of days!

It’s not my goal to attempt to provide specific ways to respond to this challenge. It’s not for me to tell you specifically how to live your life. What I am encouraging you to do is seek the Lord and ask Him to show you how to live a life informed by the certainty that Jesus will return and the age will come to an end. In this modern America, the contest of ideas gives focus to the ideals of the Left and the Right: Democrats and Republicans; the government as provider, the government as regulator; the path toward socialism, the path toward individual rights and freedoms. Of course this is an over simplification and many different variations on the theme are evident. As important as public policy might be for all the inhabitants of our country, for the Christian—the true believer in God who seeks to serve His purposes first and foremost regardless of political affiliations—the real focus shouldn’t be right or left; it should be straight up. God’s kingdom is the focus of the gospel. This is the eternal reality that’s been inaugurated in the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, and anticipation of the full realization of that reality should be what gets our attention.