This, of course, is a very timely question, both
naturally and spiritually. It does seem, from all the apparent signs,
we must be close to the end. Of course, others throughout time have
believed the same; yet the Lord has not returned. Before I deal
with the issue of “the conflict,” I will first speak
to the issue of the apparent delay of the Lord’s return.
How Long, O' Lord?
Since the Lord’s ascension, the believers have been asking
that very question. The early interpretation was that He would return
quickly; weeks—months—a few years even. And, it seems
that this became a “theology” of expectation. Listen
to the words of the New Testament writers: (I will list these in
the accepted chronological order)
• 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 17:
For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not
go before those who are asleep. 17 Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the
Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. (Paul)
• 1 Thessalonians 5:6:
Therefore let us not
sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be calm. (Paul)
• 1 Corinthians 15:51–53:
Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall
all be changed; 52 in
a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we
shall all be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
(Paul)
• 1 John 3:2–3:
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when
He shall be revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And
everyone who has this hope on him purifies himself, even as that
One is pure. (John)
It seems this was the accepted norm. My interest, and emphasis,
from these scriptures is that each of them referred to the Lord’s
“expected” return as being in their life time. Yes, we know they were writing as inspired authors of
the Word of God, but they wrote these passages in more than a present
tense—they included themselves as being
present at the moment. It was what they were to expect; it
was what they taught others to expect; it is what we are to expect.
The Apostle John also gives us another view of this subject as he
teaches about the “false apostles” that will be present
in the End Times.
1 John 2:18: (from Greek N.T.)
Children, it is a last hour; and
just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many
antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is a last hour.
What John indicates here is there may be many different and individual
items throughout time that “seem” to indicate it is
the Last Hour. The Church Age is referred to as “the
Last Days,” but within that period there may be many
apparent “last hours.”
Since no man knows the day or the hour, we can only observe the
things He said will indicate the “eminent”
appearing of the Lord. The only way we will know certainly it is
“the” last hour, is
when we have been taken to be with Him. Until then, the hours preceding
will be recognized as “a”
last hour. Each hour preceding the last is to be to us a confirmation
the final hour is coming!
Lastly, the Apostle Peter recognizes the apparent delay of Jesus’
return may make some lose confidence, and others even to ridicule
that thought. 2 Peter 3: 1–14 addresses
this head-on. Even in his day there were those who had lost hope,
and others who mocked the subject. Peter’s words are clear
and direct. Notice especially:
2 Peter 3:3–4; 9–10a:
Know this first of all, that in the last
days mockers will come with their mocking, following after
their own lusts, 4 and saying,
"Where is the promise of His coming?
For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as
it was from the beginning of creation." 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for
all to come to repentance. 10a But, the day of the Lord will come like a thief…
Apostle Paul wrote similar words in 1 Thessalonians
5:1–11. Isn’t it amazing that nothing has changed
to this day: the same questions; the same doubts; the same ridicule?
But, He is waiting long enough for all to have a chance to accept
salvation.
The Presence of Conflict:
Now, what about the presence of war, especially the war in the Middle
East? On the basis of the nature of this conflict, I must admit,
I believe it will continue until His return. Listen to Jesus’
admonition to His disciples regarding the signs of the end of time:
Matthew 24:3–8:
And as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him
privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what
shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said
to them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, I am Christ, and
will deceive many. 6 And
you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you
are not troubled, for all these things
must occur; but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different
places.
8 All these are the beginning
of sorrows.
One of the signs was the presence of
war. Taken as both the reference to the coming destruction of Jerusalem
in AD 67-70, and to His return at the end of time, the major concern
of war was in regard to the Middle East. It is “war”
in that region which affects and influences the political / governmental
issues that surround the events of the Second Coming.
(The following is a greatly summarized
and abridged account of over 1900 years of history. Please excuse
the lack of precise detail.)
In Jesus’ time Rome controlled almost all of Europe (Britain
to Spain to Greece to Hungary), Northern Africa (Libya
to Egypt), and the Middle East (from
present day Turkey unto much of what we know of as Iraq—even
the city of Babylon). This was the Roman Empire.
But, the great conflict of the end of time is not over all of that territory. It is over a small, (and to the Romans), insignificant
region known to them as Palestine. This was an ill-defined area
ranging from Syria, through Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, to the
borders of Egypt. In their time it was held in “control”
by the presence of “puppet-kings,” the family of Herod.
These kings, and the presence of tens of thousands of legionaries,
kept the petty strife and in-fighting at bay. Finally in AD 67–70
under the Emperors Vespasian (who destroyed
the Temple in Jerusalem, and built the Colosseum in Rome)
and Titus, Rome put an end to the trouble there.
It was not until the rise of the Muslim Caliphs in the 7th Century
AD that it again became an object of political and national unrest.
They erected the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque on the site
of the former Temple Mount. The “Dome”
was built directly over the stone upon which Abraham had offered
Isaac. The Prophet Mohammed’s “doctrine” declared
it was Ishmael who had been offered and who was the legitimate heir,
and the area of Israel must be rescued from the oppression of the
Jews and the Christians—so began the wars.
Through the next five centuries, the conflict between the Muslims
and the Christians raged on and off (The
Crusades—an often ugly era of Christian history). The
Jews, of course, were out of the picture because they were in their
“Diaspora” (dispersion).
The “sons of Ishmael” made war against the “sons
of Isaac” (Judeo-Christian followers)
each prevailing at different seasons, until finally the Muslim gained
control.
This lasted until the time of the First World War, when the “Turks”
were aligned with Germany. The British managed to wrest the region
of Israel from them, and finally opened the way for Jewish people
to return to their homeland. This continued through the next forty
years until Israel was declared a nation in 1948.
Since then, the war continues. The United Nations created a people
called the “Palestinians” (there
was no nation by that name), and declared they had a right
to land in the region (long story).
This tension remains—and will remain until the Lord’s
return. The prophecies of the End Times make plain the reality of
war in the region surrounding Israel.
The conflicts today in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Yemen, Somalia,
Indonesia, even potentially in Iran, are all side issues in regard
to the End Times. They are furthered and promoted by an intense
hatred of Israel, and all who support (that
is to defend) her. The “Palestinian issue” is
really about the removal of Israel as a nation—not about land
and freedom (they were offered that and
flatly rejected such). Only the destruction of Israel will
dampen their anger.
For an excellent, and in-depth, study of
the Scriptures and issues relating to the Second Coming, the Rapture,
and the Millennial Reign of Jesus, consider Pastor Yandian’s
book: Understanding the End Times.(book, tape) His clear manner of teaching will assist
you in understanding the Biblical teachings from the Prophets and
the New Testament relating to this subject.
There is, of course, much more to study on this subject. I trust
my answer is sufficient to settle some of your interest. We do pray
for peace for the Nations involved in conflict:
1 Timothy 2:1–4:
First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth.
Our desire, and God’s purpose, is that many may come to know
Jesus Christ. As they find times of peace and stability of government,
the Gospel will be preached, hearts will be opened, and the Kingdom
advanced.
As to what remains—enjoy your research.
Geof W. Jackson, read
bio
Director of the Grace School of Ministry/Director
of Pastoral Care
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