Dr. David Jeremiah is one of my favorite Bible teachers. I love listening to his sermons, which are rich with Biblical truth. He has recently published another book, “The World of the End”. Intriguing, to be sure. I have not yet read this work, but plan to do so in the near future. Some may think that this is simply a play on words, but in reality, it is a thought-provoking title which piques the interest of those interested in Biblical eschatology.

Years ago, I preached a sermon entitled “Is this the beginning of the end?” It was not long after Desert Storm, when bookshelves were filled with books explaining why this was the end, that Jesus would come soon for His bride, the church, and the world as we know it would come to it preordained conclusion. It did seem, after all, that things were pointing to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy which describe how the world will be during the days leading up to the coming of Christ.

Well, here we are 32 years later, and Jesus still hasn’t come for that cataclysmic event that most Christians are anxiously anticipating. I am one who believes that Jesus could come at any moment. There are no Biblical prophecies that must be fulfilled before He comes for His bride. It could happen before I type the next letter, or before you read the next word. He is coming – but when no one knows.

So, what are we to think about those statements – “the end of the world”, or “the world of the end”, or “the last days”? Are we living in the final days of this present age? I believe strongly that the answer to that question is a resounding yes! There is an interesting passage in the first Epistle of John that helps us understand this idea. Read carefully the following words from John’s pen:

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

1 John 2:18-19, NKJV

It is clear from this statement that the Apostle John felt that the coming of Christ was close at hand, because of the influence of the spirit of antichrist in his day. He referred to it as “the last hour,” a clear indication that he believed deeply and strongly that he was living in the very last days.

It is clear from historical records that the world of John’s day was steeped in antichrist sentiment. Christians were hated and despised by everyone. The Jews, the Romans, the pagans of the day all despised those who committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Multitudes were put to horrific deaths because of their commitment to Him. It is little wonder what John thought that it was the last hour in his lifetime.

But now more than 2000 years have passed, and Jesus still hasn’t come. How are we to understand this? How could it have been the last hour in John’s day, but the world is continuing as it always has? It is really rather simple, but still a bit confusing. In actuality, the last days began when Jesus ascended back to the Father after His death, burial, and resurrection. These last days will continue until we reach the time of the very last days, which will ultimately reach their climax with the last day – the day Jesus comes for His bride.

So, yes, we are living in the last days, or, to use Dr. Jeremiah’s terminology, the world of the end. The spirit of antichrist is going to continue to grow stronger and stronger with each passing day. Political systems, philosophical systems, educational systems, etc. will continue to move in a more antichristian spirit, while the number of sincere believers will grow smaller and smaller. Many will leave the church and never return, because, as John says, they were never really part of the church to begin with.

So, the question we must all ask ourselves is this: am I ready for that ultimate last day? It could happen THIS day. It could happen THIS moment. Are you ready? The only way to be ready is to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord. Have you committed your life to Him? Does your life bear the fruit of the Spirit of God? Is your life a testimony to His glory?

It is not a matter of knowing about Him. Multitudes of people know about Jesus. But very few really know Him. Have you come to a time in which you realized your personal sinfulness, repented of your sin, trusted Jesus’ saving work on the cross, and yielded your life to Him? If not, you will not be in His kingdom.

We are living in the world of the end, in the last days, moving toward that last day, that last hour. The need to be ready is urgent. Don’t put it off any longer. Now is the time to make your salvation sure.

Blessings.