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GIF End Times

“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, to make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it.”
(Isaiah 13:9)

End Times
by Larry Burkett

There are many views on end-time prophecy. My philosophy is twofold. I got part of it from my former pastor, who said, “Live like you’re going through the tribulation, and pray that you don’t have to.”

Will we or won’t we go through the tribulation? I can’t honestly say. I’ve heard some intelligent people argue, very convincingly, in any number of positions—at least three: premillennial, amillennial, and postmillennial. All of them were convincing.

My other philosophy was set by John Wesley. Someone asked him what he would do if he knew the Lord was coming back tomorrow. He said, “If I were a gardener, I’d go out and plant another tree today.” I agree with that.

The apostle Paul, in his early ministry, wrote like he expected the Lord’s return any day and stressed the urgency of being ready. After he had lived many years and knew that he was going to die, you can see the shift in his writing, placing the emphasis on maintaining the church (the body of Christ).

My closing thought would be that we should live as if Christ were coming back tomorrow.

The nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30 TLB).

Daily Scripture Reading:

Ezekiel 12-14