I hoisted my duffle bag over my shoulder, grabbed a bag of chips, and headed out the door. My Mom yelled out, “Now, honey, don’t go sneaking out tonight to meet boys.” She was half teasing because she knew I wouldn’t do that. She didn’t realize that the very thought of sneaking out to meet boys tied me up in knots. I’d suffered at the hands of teenage boys several years prior. There was no way I’d take such a risk, even if I had to stay behind alone.

We danced to the Beach Boys and munched on snacks. We were having fun until the pack leader told the rest of the girls that she’d planned to sneak out and meet some boys. The girls all giggled and made their escape.

I stayed back with the two girls who smoked.

They didn’t want anything to do with me. So, I sat by myself in my sleeping bag and listened to the girls from across the room. They attended the local Catholic school where the nuns had recently taught from the book of Revelation. The girls mocked what they’d learned about the end of time. They said things like, ‘As if that’s gonna happen.’

I’d never heard such things before, so I went outside, sat on the picnic table, looked up at the sky, and asked God to make Himself real to me. I started to read the Bible, and I came to faith in Jesus through His Word.

That was many years ago. Today, believers and unbelievers alike are talking about the times we’re in and wondering, are we nearing the end of days? Are we living through them now?

Whether Jesus’ return happens tonight or in ten years, we can all agree that we are in a season of acceleration. We’re moving towards despair, decadence, and disruption at Mach speed. The global pandemic, social unrest, violence, depravity, and utter disregard for human life make the news morning, noon, and night. Once close families and friends now divide over political and pandemic issues. Civility has atrophied.

Most of us agree that these are the birth pangs Jesus spoke of in the gospel.

You will hear of wars, and you will hear rumors of wars, but you should not panic. It is inevitable, this violent breaking apart of the sinful world, but remember, the wars are not the end. The end is still unfolding. Nations will do battle with nations, and kingdoms will fight neighboring kingdoms, and there will be famines and earthquakes. But these are not the end. These are the birth pangs, the beginning. The end is still unfolding. Matthew 24:6-8 (VOICE)

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he writes:

And know this: in the last days, times will be hard. You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy, uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God. Even though they may look or act like godly people, they’re not. They deny His power. I tell you: Stay away from the likes of these. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (VOICE)

Where will all this lead?

Recently, I spoke with bestselling author and beloved pastor Robert J. Morgan on Susie Larson Live. We talked about his book, The 50 Final Events in World History: The Bible’s Last Words on Earth’s Final Days.

 He writes:
People are fearful. Our world is in disarray, and who knows what will happen to us and our children? Who knows what tomorrow holds? Almighty God knows. He knows what’s ahead. He knows it perfectly, instantly, totally, and omnisciently. He knows the future as well as the past, and the outlines of His predetermined plans are engraved on the pages of His Book… I’m convinced a phenomenal pattern is about to unfold. World events aren’t lurching into chaos; they’re moving toward culmination and consummation. There’s hope for tomorrow, and there’s hope for you and yours. The cascading flow of crises is merging with the outlines of Bible prophecy, like two mighty rivers crashing into each other and coalescing into an unstoppable flood. For the children of God, this isn’t a flood that will sweep us away. It will lift us up!

Friends, we have every reason for hope! Life on earth is short and eternity is long. We’re here for the short term, not just to bide our time but to redeem our days. Every day is a gift. Every moment of your life is packed with purpose. And if you walk reverently before the Lord, you can know that—every minute of every hour—you’re promised God’s intimate presence. No one and nothing can snatch you out of His loving hand.

The devil knows his days are short. He’ll use fear, discouragement, and despair as his favorite weapons. He’ll bait you into a posture of fearful self-protection because he knows it’ll shrivel your soul.

God invites you into faith-filled, hopeful expectancy because He knows the plans He has for you! Don’t miss what He’s about to do on the earth in our day. Yes, the devil is on the move. But God already has a plan. And in the end, it’s God who’ll have the last say. Can I get an amen?

As they say, things aren’t falling apart. They’re falling into place.

Is This the End?