2020 has been quite the drama queen.

For Christians, this means there has been no shortage of conspiracy theories about the nearness of the end of the world. Everything from the Plandemic documentary to Putin’s plans, or that one time in New Jersey where people mistook a Goodyear blimp for a cargo airship carrying the tracking chips the government plans to implant us with their conspiracy vaccine. It’s all served as fodder for some insane theories about the last days. In fairness though, we are living through an unusual season in recent history that is bound to stimulate in all of us a level of anxiety.

In recent months, several of my pastor friends have been confronted (by fellow christians) about why they’re not speaking more concerning the end times, concerning why they aren’t doing more to help churches prepare for the Tribulation, and concerning how “secret societies” within our government are establishing a secret one-world currency (and why the church is being silent). After all (according to some), the Jehovah Witnesses seem to have their act together and seem to be more prepared than us evangelicals.

Alright, let’s get to it. Here are 4 simple reasons why you should take a serious chill pill concerning your fears and anxieties about the end of the world.

FIRST, to those of you taking your cue from the Jehovah Witness camp, please keep in mind that the JW’s have a dismal history of failed apocalyptic predictions.

SECOND, While the scriptures tell us to “Watch” (Matthew 25:13), Jesus also said “you don’t know the day or the hour.” So… you know… maybe calm down on throwing out dates about when stuff may or may not go down!

THIRD, while there may well be a convergence of signs (beginning of birth pains) seeming to come together, we don’t yet see the “abomination that causes desolation” (Matthew 24:15), which would give the signal to “bug out.”  That involves the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem and a world leader doing some really nasty things in it. We’re not there yet, and beside, Jesus says, “[even when/if you]… hear of wars and rumors of wars, …see to it that you are not alarmed.” (Matt 24:6).  

FOURTH, 2 Thessalonians 2 speaks of the revealing of the man of lawlessness (2:3), who must be revealed before the Day of the Lord will take place. The antiChrist has not yet popped up on the world stage. When he does (and if he meets all the criteria scripture describes), then you will hear plenty of noise from those of us in the pulpit. My personal conviction is that the Church [that’s you, follower of Jesus] will be taken out of the way as the principle agents of the Restrainer [Holy Spirit], who is holding back evil. In other words, when the church goes away during the rapture, then will you see the world chaos rapidly develop.

Bottom line:  Be prepared, of course.  But don’t be alarmed. Trust the Lord. Watch and wait. We’ll know more as the next couple of months/years progress.  

In the mean time, watch, pray, love God, and please for heaven’s sake, love your neighbors!!!