As a Seventh-day Adventist, I have been taught to think that every crisis could be the "End Time." When I see things go back to normal or moving towards normal, I have been conditioned to think, "Ok, this is just another 'Time of the End' event but, the 'End Time' is coming." With everything going on, I have had lots of internal dialogue, conversations with Suzy, talks with my parents, and lots of wondering with close friends. We have all asked, "Could this be the start of the "End Time?"
Personally, I started reading The Great Controversy by Ellen White again last week, and I am almost done with it. When I picked it up, I started with the final six chapters of the book before starting at the beginning. These chapters describe what Ellen White believed the End Time would look like. We understand and have faith that this was part of the prophetic message God gave her to help us through these uncertain times. As I have been reading through these pages, it has helped me navigate and process my emotions. This week, I have read through many news articles, trying to accurately grasp what's going on past all the national politics and speculations. The one thing that I'm left with is that everyone is sensing that this situation is more significant than we all realize. The economy is on the brink of collapse. The medical industry is concerned about the growing numbers of infections. We can see that life is fragile and not as sure as we would all like to think. So, I have to ask, could this be the End Time? I want to take us to the words of Jesus and also two quotes from Ellen White as we try to answer this question. Jesus, while talking to His disciples, gave a great discourse about what to expect before the end. Notice these words of Jesus in Matthew 24:4-8:
"Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains" (NIV). I want to encourage you to read through the remainder of Matthew 24. As you look at this quote, and when you read the rest of Chapter 24, you will see that many of the warnings have already occurred. Two signs that I want to suggest we need to look out for, deal with persecutions and false appearings of Jesus. Here they are below: "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:9-14, NIV). "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time" (Matthew24:23-25,NIV). As we look to the End Time, I personally believe that these are the remaining signs we need to see fulfilled–persecution and false appearings. We have seen most everything else throughout history. In our modern times, we haven't seen persecution to this level, as described by Jesus. At least we haven't seen it in the United States. The other sign deals with the false appearances of Jesus and the false miraculous wonders that will come with them. Ellen White shares some wisdom as well. Notice this quote: "The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants. To him that 'walketh righteously' is the promise: 'Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.' 'When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.' Isaiah 33:15, 16; 41:17" (The Great Controversy, p. 629). For many of us, we have anxiety when thinking about the End Time. We are worried about the persecution, pain, and suffering that will come with it. Some of us wonder if we will be able to make it. Some of us have doubts about our salvation. Ellen White reminds us of the work that Jesus will do on our behalf during the End Time: "The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it. The way to heaven is consecrated by His footprints. Every thorn that wounds our feet has wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear He has borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace. The time of trouble is a fearful ordeal for God's people; but it is the time for every true believer to look up, and by faith he may see the bow of promise encircling him" (The Great Controversy, p. 633).
I do not believe that everything going on right now is the End Time, I do, however, think that this is a significant global birth pain. In next week's email, I will start talking about how we can be prepared as we anticipate more and more global catastrophes. As we look at the quotes above, take solace in knowing that Jesus will be with us every step of the way. Jesus will help us as He helped countless believers before us. Jesus is faithful in the time of COVID-19. Grace and Peace, Geraldo