The beginning of the end?

I have heard a number of people trying to make sense of this whole corona virus pandemic. Some say it’s germ warfare. Some see it as apocalyptic, a sign of the end times.

What if they’re right?

Hang on, hear me out. Read what Jesus said in Matthew 24, verses 6-8:

“You will hear of wars, and you will hear rumors of wars, but you should not panic. It is inevitable, this violent breaking apart of the sinful world, but remember, the wars are not the end. The end is still unfolding. Nations will do battle with nations, and kingdoms will fight neighboring kingdoms, and there will be famines and earthquakes. But these are not the end. These are the birth pangs, the beginning. The end is still unfolding.”

Unsettling? You bet. Was he talking about the end of the world? Yes and no.

Read on... (verses 10-12)

“And many who have followed Me and claimed to love Me and sought God’s kingdom will turn away— they will abandon the faith and betray and hate one another. The love that they had for one another will grow cold because few will obey the law. False prophets will appear, many will be taken in by them, and the only thing that will grow is wickedness. There will be no end to the increase of wickedness.”

Okay, got it. When the pressure was on and times got hard, those who claimed to be believers not only fell away but hated those who were. Many came and twisted Jesus’ words and led others astray. Hmm this sounds familiar. Could this have happened already? Is it happening now?

Read on... (verses 13-14)

“But those who do not waver from our path and do not follow those false prophets—those among you will be saved. And this good news of God’s kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, a testimony to all people and all nations. Then, beloved, the end, the consummation of all things, will come.”

Wait a minute- if it’s the end, what is this about preaching the good news throughout the world, to all people.

That seems like it might take awhile.

I believe (pretty sure bible scholars back me up- this isn’t academic writing here so you can look it up yourself ha ha) that Jesus was talking about the destruction of the temple in 70AD. That was really seen as the end by the Jews at the time. Their legitimacy and establishment in society, the building where God dwelled. Gone. It was a time of tribulation, death and destruction, uncertainty, terror. 

But Jesus was preparing his followers for it. It sure would feel like the end, and it was the end of something. In order to reconcile the world to the Father, Jesus had to destroy the temple, his body. The destruction of the temple brought a new era. No walls. No physical space that limited God’s presence. He reached out to all, wherever they were. He still does.

However about now? Does he have your attention? Are you worried? About your health? Your job? Physical needs? Supplies? Maybe this is the end, but not like you think. Maybe this is a new time to break down walls. Maybe this is a new time to open our hearts and share with those in need of God’s love. Maybe it’s time we dusted off our bible. Maybe it’s time we got on our knees in prayer. Maybe it’s time to reconnect with friends and family in creative ways. To provide for those in need, let others have what we want but don’t need, to think of others before ourselves. 

Maybe it is the beginning of the end something that needs to end.

What do you think?