Are We in the Last Days?

If you ask most pastors what biblical subject stimulates the most interest from their respective congregations, you will find that without hesitation they will tell you that out of all the themes of the Bible, end time prophecy is the most requested biblical study.

There is a particular interest in Southern California due to the sudden experience of a 5.4 magnitude earthquake, with the promise of the BIG ONE to come in the next 30 years or less, pointed questions concerning life, death, and various spiritual subjects have begun to arise and it’s a perfect opportunity to present the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world.

With that in mind, I have asked Dr. Trevor Johnson, pastor of Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church in Long Beach, CA to come aboard for this article to give us some insight into why Christians find end time prophecy so intriguing and also to get his personal view on where the world is on God’s timetable.

Rev. Trevor L. Johnson, a serious student of God’s Word and a professor of New Testament Studies for New Life Online Seminary, is what I consider to be an authority concerning end time matters, and possesses a unique ability to open the understanding of many who were mystified about the book of Revelation and other prophetic books in the Bible. He has always deemed it of great importance that we understand the times that we live in. When asked if we were in the midst of the last days, among other questions related to this topic, the answers he rendered require thoughtful pondering and remind us of the sovereignty of God.

Rev. Dan Thomas: Pastor Johnson, as a pastor who is charged to sound the alarm and to be a watchman on the wall, do you think we are in the last days?

Pastor Trevor Johnson: Personally, I believe that we are living in the last days. The true question is how long do the last days last? If we knew the answer to that question, then we could more definitely declare if we are indeed in them.

RDT: It seems in every generation, particularly when we are transitioning from one generation to the next, that there is a crescendo of interest in the “end times.” Why do you think this is?

PTJ: Every generation comes into a revelatory knowledge of last day times based upon biblical truth and current events. With each perception of world events and interpretation of scripture we all believe that the end must be closer than we think, especially based on Matt. 24:44. Even the early Christians were under the impression that they too were living in the last days so this may be a normal mindset given the warning in Matt. 24:44 alone.

RDT: It seems as if you are saying that it is incumbent upon every Christian generation to have an expectation of Jesus Christ’s return. From a pastoral perspective do you see the global church as expectant of Christ’s return?

PTJ: Indeed it is critical and imperative that we continue to be in expectation of the Lord's return. In my opinion I think the church at large is in the state of mind of expecting Him to return soon, just as the 1st Century church. Any believer who is not in such expectancy is like the 5 of the 10 virgins who were found unprepared and consequently "shut out."

RDT: With end time talk in the air, obviously, the book of Revelation comes into play. In your opinion, why does this book fascinate the minds of the Christian and non-Christian alike?

PTJ: It could be because it is not a typical book out of which most sermons are preached, also there is not very much exegetical teaching out of that book, and by far it is the most mystical book of the Bible. So we are fascinated by the mystery of the book...particularly because it is prophetic to our day!

RDT: As we are experiencing difficult times in our country and things seem to be worsening by the minute, what admonition would you give believers today to avoid apathy, discouragement, and falling into the snare of unbelief?

PTJ: If we are to remain steadfast and unmovable then it is absolutely critical to take hold of the promise that HE WILL RETURN. Although it is easy to get caught up in the current global events as well as personal dilemmas, we must understand that Jesus warned and admonished us how to conduct ourselves and to continue in well doing during the most horrific times in world history. As times get worse, we must pray more intensely, study more passionately, and walk more circumspectly and continue to win the world for Him as we see the day dawning!

RDT: Okay last question. Do you think we are the last century of mankind?

PTJ: There is a good chance that we are indeed the last century but of course, this is my subjective opinion.

RDT: Pastor Johnson thanks so much for your timely input and insight.

PTJ: It was my pleasure. God bless.

Okay let’s summarize. The truth is that no one knows when it will all be over. Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ stated that it was not given to him to know, only the Father.

The end is sure and it is definitely near. How near? No one really knows. The objective is to be ready at all times because it could be anytime.

The apostle Peter said that, “A day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.” Peter did not mean this literally, but was using hyperbolic language to set at ease the minds of believers who had become impatient concerning the Lord’s return. He was trying to teach them that the Lord’s time is not our time and what seems to be an elongated lapse of time to us was just one day ago to God.

However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a positive expectation when believers were facing such intense persecution, even death, for proclaiming the Lord’s name and so it was vitally necessary for Peter to write to them to encourage them to “be alert, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.”

It’s when we understand this that we cease to wonder about when he will come back and shift into a focused mode of preparation to be ready to meet him at whatever time he has foreordained to return for his church. The trials won’t stop. The struggles won’t stop. The pain won’t cease and the persecutions won’t come to and end, but we can maintain a positive expectancy knowing that God always will make good on his promises. Always.

Remember the words of the Apostle Paul to the Romans, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.