This is a question sent in by Joe on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:
Hey Aaron with the constant decline of the world and the signs of prophecy being fulfilled in Israel, i wanted to know if you believe that were in the end days? And i know you dont like to talk about it, because its such a point of contention, but im not talking about specifics, just if you believe were in the end days?
My Answer:
I do not know. What a lame answer, I know. I will tell you this, from scripture until now it seems people have always believed that they where in the end times. It seems as if the signs are pointing in that direction, but I really do not know. Here is what I do… I want to live like He is coming back soon and plan like He is not coming for a long time. When he comes I will be ready!
I discussed this in a older post if you want to check it out. I am making this question apart of my what-cha-think segment. I want to know what you all think about this question… Are we in the end times?
My underground bunker fits about 30, so when it hits the fan you all are welcome. Just make sure to bring a lot of canned food.
nice… i will bring the rolls!
It is true that everyone has always believed they were in the end times, i mean even the early Christians thought Nero was the anti-Christ. But one thing is different about this time period than any other time since 70 AD, and that is the establishment of Israel as a country. This modern Israel is now a country for the first time in 3000 years, and it is the firstime it is a jewish homeland in about 2000 years since 70 AD when the Roman Empire destoryed Jerusalem as Jesus prophesied. The greatest sign in the bible that we are in the end times is the rebirth of the Jewish nation, and that happened in 60 years ago! So if the sign of the end times starts with the rebirth or regathering of the Jewish people in Israel than we must be on the precipus of major global disastor like has never been scene on earth. The start of this is the desolation of the global economy which is starting to happen now…
No doubt every true Christian has always hoped and thought that they were in the time of the return of Christ, but never has so much proof been available. For me when i think of the end times, i do not think of it as yes its all over we get to go to heaven now! I think of it as the greatest oppurtunity for God to be glorified since the death and ressurection of our LORD. I think of it as hearts opening that have been hardened for 2,000 years.
Zeckariah 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of Grace and Supplication. THEY WILL LOK ON ME, THE ONE WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED, and they will mourn for ME as one mours for an only child, and grieve bitterly for me as for a firstborn son."
Zeckariah 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of Grace and Supplication. THEY WILL LOOK ON ME, THE ONE WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED, and they will mourn for ME as one mours for an only child, and grieve bitterly for me as for a firstborn son."
Good stuff joe. The signs are for sure leading in that direction. It seems to be clear. All the more reason to passionately preach Jesus!
I agree, it puts a sense of urgency on my heart to do Gods will for my life which is to preach Jesus Christ
Haha Count me in for four in the buncker. Ill bring the kool-aid.
MY opinion: If we're in the end times, Obama is the anti-Christ
"I want to live like He is coming back soon and plan like He is not coming for a long time. When he comes I will be ready!"
That's probably the best outlook and most interesting I've heard on the subject yet though. Thanks Aaron.
I had a teacher who said that every generation feels like their generation in the last one. I think that's very true. We might all be designed with this readiness and awareness in our nature.
on a sidenote that seems like Further proof to ignorant atheist that you can't deny God
drew you are funny. Thanks for the thoughts. I always like reading your stuff
Lol sorry but to me that quote does not make any sense at all. How can someone live like hes coming back soon, but planning like hes not coming back for a long time?
For me, Im living like hes coming back soon, the way I show that im living like hes coming back soon is by planing my life around the fact that hes coming back soon. The apostles of Jesus lived like he was coming back soon, and planned like he was coming back soon. The way they did this was with a sense of urgency, why do you think they gave up everything they had and lived together sold everything they had and preached the gospel fulltime even if it meant they died of starvation, because they believed and planned like Jesus was coming back soon! ……..
Continued……..This is the major gap between the acts church and the church of modern america including us. They planned and lived like Jesus was coming back tomarrow, this is the greatest difference between us and the acts church, beyond all other things it is that, they planned there lives and there existence as a church on the soon return of Christ. It is why they were so successful and the church of modern Christianity is not. We have stopped planning our lives for His soon return. It is why we go out and have careers, it is why we go to college and raise familys, it is why we become one with the world society in which we were sent to protest, because we view prophecy and Christs return like this, "when he returns he returns, but ima try to live ready for him to come, prepare myself for his soon coming, but plan my life like he wont come in my lifetime……
Fantastic answer Aaron, sometimes I don't know is the best answer we can give.
THIS IS THE GRAVEST MISTAKE THE CHURCH HAS EVER MADE! AND IT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THE CHURCH OF ACTS! Not discipleship, not proper training, not the spirit of God moving, not the devil working his way into the church, the church has always been the same because the life of the church is in the Spirit of God, the main difference is that we PLAN OUR LIVES LIKE JESUS WONT RETURN IN OUR TIME. This is the prevailing theme of modern christians, it is also the prevailing downfall……..
Continued……You wonder why the church of america has no power? Because the church has become one with the secular society, they have done this by planning like Christ will not return in there lifetime! If i too believed this way i too might have done the same thing as the rest of the modern so called Christians, but the reason God has called me to preach to His people the Israelites is that I am willing to plan my whole life and go all in on the fact that he is returning soon, though it cost me my all i have planned my everything on it.
Lol sorry but to me that quote does not make any sense at all.
How can someone live like hes coming back soon, but planning like hes not coming back for a long time? For me, Im living like hes coming back soon, the way I show that im living like hes coming back soon is by planing my life around the fact that hes coming back soon. The apostles of Jesus lived like he was coming back soon, and planned like he was coming back soon. The way they did this was with a sense of urgency, why do you think they gave up everything they had and lived together sold everything they had and preached the gospel fulltime even if it meant they died of starvation, because they believed and planned like Jesus was coming back soon!
This is the major gap between the acts church and the church of modern america including us. They planned and lived like Jesus was coming back tomarrow, this is the greatest difference between us and the acts church, beyond all other things it is that, they planned there lives and there existence as a church on the soon return of Christ. It is why they were so successful and the church of modern Christianity is not. We have stopped planning our lives for His soon return. It is why we go out and have careers, it is why we go to college and raise familys, it is why we become one with the world society in which we were sent to protest, because we view prophecy and Christs return like this, "when he returns he returns, but ima try to live ready for him to come, prepare myself for his soon coming, but plan my life like he wont come in my lifetime.
THIS IS THE GRAVEST MISTAKE THE CHURCH HAS EVER MADE! AND IT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THE CHURCH OF ACTS! Not discipleship, not proper training, not the spirit of God moving, not the devil working his way into the church, the church has always been the same because the life of the church is in the Spirit of God, the main difference is that we PLAN OUR LIVES LIKE JESUS WONT RETURN IN OUR TIME. This is the prevailing theme of modern christians, it is also the prevailing downfall. You wonder why the church of america has no power? Because the church has become one with the secular society, they have done this by planning like Christ will not return in there lifetime! If i too believed this way i too might have done the same thing as the rest of the modern so called Christians, but the reason God has called me to preach to His people the Israelites is that I am willing to plan my whole life and go all in on the fact that he is returning soon, though it cost me my all i have planned my everything on it.
Joe- that's a good point on your first reply there
. To me what it means to live like He's coming back soon and plan like it'll be a long time means being prepared, making Jesus my primary focus, looking to do The Will of my Father always. Jesus first. Live accordingly. …but that doesn't mean I say "oh I'm just a guy that's "Spirit led"" when the reality is I'm likely a guy without a plan and still unrepentant of laziness, lack of planning, motivation, etc. get what I'm saying?
Anyone who gets to where they wanna be is there cuz they made goals and planned things out. Of course you plan things out with Jesus, that's the difference between a Christian and a non Christian, but nonetheless. That's part of being a man and being responsible. Example: I really want a bike, but I'm not going to sell everything I own to buy one today cuz Jesus might come tomorrow. another Example: I eventual want a wife and MAYBE kids. So I'm not going to live like i'm single everyday and everything I do doesn't matter because the habits and mindsets I form now will stay, I'll also plan my finances accordingly for the future with what I can without hurting me today. If Jesus comes tomorrow oh well, I'd rather be with Jesus anyway than here. But if it turns out it was 10 years, I had a plan and was a good steward of not only the money and gifts and talents Jesus has given me, but more importantly of the time Jesus gave me because i planned and had goals. Rather than living 10 years like everyday was my last and not worshipping Jesus with my time as good as I could have. Time is the only thing I know of that we can't get back or get more of.
This mentality, I believe, boils down to living paycheck to paycheck or being financially secure…. to making it through and doing the best you can for your kids even though its rough to being able to provide the best life you can for them…to making it through and struggling through marriage and fighting for it and ultimatly have Jesus sanctify it, to learning how to rely on Jesus and kill your idol of relationship before asking Jesus who He has for you and having a MUCH easier and less painful marriage. Even unrepentant sinners knows this. We all try to teach everyone we know not to make our same mistakes, even though we made it through…
Bottom line Jesus will help us through any and everything. You've still got a free will choice to make your circumstances hard or easy. Sure some things are out of our control, but I think alot of us don't realize how many things actually are under our control (or are not) due to planning and goals or a lack thereof.
I'm not imposing this on you Joe, or anyone else in this reply, I'm merely stating my thoughts on how many people live.
Even Jesus had goals, bro.
You do have valid points Joe. Would you agree living like Jesus is coming in our time boils down to being MORE repentant and less selfish and looking to worship Jesus more often and in bigger ways? Killing our flesh as much as possible?
) are people Jesus uses to bring about repentance, life in The Spirit, and all these things. And I thank God for the passion and heart He has given you for Him and His people. Every part of the body of Christ is a necessity. And we thank God for you in your part. Understand also that there are other parts of the body with specific purposes that are different than your purpose. To be brutally honest, just don't get too passionate and hellbent on what is put on your heart that God intends for good, to the point where you dismiss other Christians who have other things on a higher priority in their heart.
We'll always be sinners and will always have a flesh vs Spirit war. Even the Acts church were still sinners and not 100% repentant because they're human.
My point is this – anything that brings about more repentance, more revelation, and truth about more ways to worship Jesus, more living in The Spirit instead of the flesh is what its all about. And I think having a grasp of Jesus coming and sense of urgency definitly inspires that.
People such as yourself with such a passion and a heart on fire for this specific kind of living, (or lack thereof, right