Biblically speaking, we are living in the last days, and have been for almost two thousand years. But we are closer than ever to the return of Christ, and it seems to me the music is growing louder.
Since only God the Father knows the day and time of Christ’s return, we have no idea when; however, we may see signs. In Luke’s Gospel, we read what Jesus said about knowing what is to come:
He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. (Luke 12:54-55, NIV)
Still, we don’t panic, worry, or hurry. We don’t stop worshipping, praying, working, serving, teaching, studying, writing, or talking about Jesus.
A response to the title of today’s blog might be that writing in the end-times changes nothing in what we do, assuming you are already worshipping, praying, working, serving, teaching, studying, growing, writing, and talking about Jesus.
For Christian writers, what should you be writing in the last days?
- The gospel in everything
- Truth in everything
- Grace in everything
- Courage in everything
- Boldness in testifying
- Encouragement to remain faithful
This is precisely what any Christian writer would be writing, no matter what the current news indicates.
Using the disciples of Jesus as examples, they didn’t know the future. They just faithfully did the work God entrusted to them and left the future and its outcomes to the only one who controlled them.
Only one came close to what we call retirement: John, who was exiled to Patmos (which was nothing like The Villages), wrote the last book of the Bible, and many feel died of old age there. The other disciples were martyred by one gruesome means after another.
Of the two choices, I’d rather die of old age, unless Christ returns beforehand.
When Christ does return, if it is during our lifetime, may we be interrupted while exercising the gifts he entrusted to us and, hopefully, doing our best work:
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-12, NIV)