What If We Really Are in the End Times?

Everywhere you look, someone is talking about the end times.

Wars. Political instability. Natural disasters. Technology. Israel. Cultural changes. Economic uncertainty. Prophecy.

And inevitably, the question comes up:

“Are we living in the end times?”

Maybe we are closer to the return of Christ than any generation realizes.

But here's another question I think Christians need to ask:

If we are living in the end times, what are we supposed to do differently?

The answer may be simpler than we think.

Keep following Jesus.

Keep preaching the Gospel.

Keep loving people.

Keep serving.

Keep praying.

Keep forgiving.

Keep making disciples.

Keep caring for the hurting.

Keep showing the world what Jesus looks like through the way we live.

Because whether Jesus returns tomorrow or a thousand years from now, our assignment hasn't changed.

Jesus Didn't Tell Us to Panic

Jesus absolutely taught His disciples about things that would happen before His return.

He spoke about wars, persecution, deception, lawlessness and difficult times.

But notice what He told His followers:

“See that ye be not troubled.”— Matthew 24:6, KJV

That's remarkable.

Jesus describes troubling events and then tells His people not to become troubled by them.

Why?

Because our hope was never supposed to be built on the stability of this world.

Governments change.

Cultures change.

Economies rise and fall.

Nations go through seasons of peace and seasons of turmoil.

But Jesus Christ remains the same.

The Christian response to uncertain times shouldn't be panic.

It should be faithfulness.

Don't Become So Focused on the Signs That You Forget the Mission

There is nothing wrong with studying biblical prophecy.

There is nothing wrong with watching what is happening around the world and asking how it might relate to Scripture.

But there is a danger.

We can become so obsessed with figuring out when Jesus is coming back that we forget what Jesus told us to do until He comes back.

Jesus said:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…”— Matthew 28:19, KJV

That command didn't come with an expiration date.

If these aren't the last days, preach the Gospel.

If these are the last days, preach the Gospel.

If the world becomes peaceful, preach the Gospel.

If the world becomes chaotic, preach the Gospel.

The condition of the world doesn't change the mission of the Church.

If Darkness Increases, Our Light Should Become More Visible

Jesus called His followers the light of the world.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”— Matthew 5:14, KJV

Think about what light does.

Light becomes most noticeable when the surroundings become dark.

So if we truly believe the world is becoming darker, our response shouldn't simply be to complain about the darkness.

It should be to shine brighter.

That means loving when hatred increases.

Forgiving when bitterness increases.

Serving when selfishness increases.

Speaking truth when deception increases.

Showing mercy when cruelty increases.

Having peace when fear increases.

And proclaiming Christ when hopelessness increases.

The darker the world becomes, the greater the opportunity for people to see something different in those who belong to Jesus.

People Should See Christ in Us

Sometimes Christians talk about the end times as though our primary responsibility is identifying everything that's wrong with everybody else.

But Scripture repeatedly brings our attention back to how we live.

Paul wrote:

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”— Philippians 1:21, KJV

Our lives should point toward Jesus.

That means people shouldn't only hear us talking about Christ.

They should encounter something of Christ through us.

His compassion.

His truth.

His patience.

His mercy.

His holiness.

His willingness to serve.

His love for people others had rejected.

Jesus said:

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”— John 13:35, KJV

Imagine if the world looked at Christians during frightening and uncertain times and saw people who were remarkably peaceful, generous, compassionate and courageous.

That testimony may speak louder than another argument about prophetic timelines.

Keep Serving

If Jesus were returning tomorrow, would serving someone today suddenly become meaningless?

Of course not.

It would become even more urgent.

Feed someone who is hungry.

Encourage someone who is discouraged.

Visit someone who is lonely.

Pray with someone who is hurting.

Help the struggling family.

Share Jesus with the person who doesn't know Him.

Serve your church.

Love your neighbor.

Jesus told a parable about servants waiting for their master and said:

“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”— Matthew 24:46, KJV

Notice that.

When the Master returns, the faithful servant is doing what the Master told him to do.

He's not hiding.

He's not panicking.

He's not endlessly calculating.

He's serving.

Keep Praying

If these are difficult times, the Church should become more prayerful, not more fearful.

Prayer reminds us who actually sits on the throne.

Our confidence isn't in governments, economies, armies, politicians or institutions.

Our confidence is in God.

Paul wrote:

“Pray without ceasing.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV

Whatever happens around us, we continue seeking God.

We pray for our families.

We pray for our communities.

We pray for our leaders.

We pray for our enemies.

We pray for those who persecute us.

We pray for the lost.

We pray for revival.

And we pray that our own hearts remain faithful.

Keep Spreading the Gospel

If we genuinely believe Jesus could return soon, then shouldn't that increase our urgency to tell people about Him?

Not through fear manipulation.

Not by screaming at people that the world is ending.

But by telling them the good news.

There is hope.

There is forgiveness.

There is reconciliation with God.

There is new life.

There is a Savior.

And His name is Jesus.

Paul wrote:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”— Romans 1:16, KJV

The Gospel worked in the first century.

The Gospel worked through persecution.

The Gospel worked through collapsing empires.

The Gospel worked through wars and plagues.

And the Gospel still works today.

What If This Really Is the End?

Then let's be found faithful.

Let's be found loving.

Let's be found praying.

Let's be found serving.

Let's be found forgiving.

Let's be found helping the broken.

Let's be found preaching Jesus.

Let's be found making disciples.

Let's be found doing exactly what Christ told us to do.

We don't need to know the exact day to know our assignment today.

Jesus said:

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”— Matthew 24:42, KJV

Watching doesn't mean staring at the sky while neglecting the people standing beside us.

Biblical readiness is faithfulness.

Maybe we are watching the final chapters of history unfold.

Maybe there are generations still to come.

Either way, the mission hasn't changed.

Love God. Love people. Preach the Gospel. Make disciples. Serve faithfully. Pray continually. Live like Jesus.

And when He comes—whether tomorrow or long after our lifetime—may He find His Church doing exactly what He called us to do.

Don't let fear of the end distract you from the mission you've been given today.

Pastor Scott