1 Timothy 4:1-4

Too many Christians focus only on the last days. I loved my grandmother; growing up she was an examples to me of a genuine Christian. A foolish or unrighteous preacher distracted her for a short time with questions concerning pre-vs-post Millennialism. He took her hard-to-come-by money in exchange for worthless books. That man convinced her that we were in the last days. My grandfather, who believed in Jesus, but was not a follower, had an interesting response. He said, “They have been saying we are in the end times since Jesus died, and we may be, but I think I will die before He comes again.” Later my grandfather reconciled with God and he did not die until he was close to 90 years of age, assured he would be with Jesus.

When the New Testament scriptures refer to later times, last times, end times or the last days, it almost always includes all the time after Christ ascended into heaven. With the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus everything that needed to happen to make humanity’s salvation possible has happened. Every day since then has been a day of opportunity, and the Day of Judgment will follow.

Paul tells us that in the latter times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Hypocritical liars, who have sold their souls to evil, will teach such things. They have seared their consciences, and Satan has branded them his own. Many of them will forbid their followers to marry, while claiming for themselves marriage privilege with every woman. They claim secret knowledge of the last days to help bewitch their followers. They create their own rules for food and worship. They find it easier to trip-up Christians who focus only upon the future.

Paul was and is correct; we are living in later times. To be ready for Christ’s return, we focus upon living for Him today. We make the most of the opportunities each day provides us.