As soon as Russia launched the first volley into Ukraine, Christians began asking, Does the war in Ukraine fit into the end times events prophesied in the Bible? Is Russia Magog in Ezekiel 38?
To put a finer point on it: Are we living in the last days?
Scan social media, and you’ll find plenty of answers. Some answers come from balanced biblical exegetes (see here and here) and others from hot-headed conspiracy theorists twisting on the fringe of sound biblical doctrine.
So, tread carefully. Seek a balanced and biblical perspective.
But with so many already addressing Russia’s part in biblical prophecies I see no need to duplicate good biblical application. Instead, I want to fill in a gap. That is, why do Christians need to know about the end times events in the first place? Is it more than a curiosity?
What’s wrong with that question?
When Christians ask, “are we living in the last days?,” the question implies that the end times is a singular set of events occurring in rapid succession only at the end. So, as a result, we tend to be complacent until something comes along to make us worry. Something like the invasion of Ukraine by an evil Russian autocrat, that is.
But the Bible doesn’t depict end times events that way. The Bible teaches that these events are progressive, escalating through history. These events will repeat and build over centuries until Christ returns. Jesus taught extensively on these events in Matthew 24, and the core of that discussion is the escalating and progressive nature of these events.
And He concluded with one fundamental directive: “This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44).
See, the problem with the everything-will-happen-suddenly-at-the-end-of-time viewpoint is that it lulls us into complacency. In that view, historical events make no difference until they impact me personally—rising gas prices, food shortages, refugees crossing boarders.
But Jesus said, “be ready.” How do we do that?
Why does the Bible talk about it?
The main reason the Bible lets us peer through the window of history and glimpse the events that will usher in the end and the return of Christ is pretty simple. It’s so Christians will not be ignorant (1 Thess. 4:13).
But we are, and that’s the problem. The main thing that displays our ignorance is that we are unaware of the single most fundamental fact taught in the Bible about the close of history and all of the events surrounding it—it is not first and foremost about Russia, Ukraine, Israel, or America.
It’s about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
World history is the story of the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the time remaining before God closes the door and Christ returns. History is about Christians on every continent and in every country doing their part to advance the Gospel while we still have time (Matt. 24:14).
Five reasons for Christians to pay attention to the end times
With that as the backdrop, the Bible consistently reminds us of five reasons to pay attention to historical events. These reasons fortify our trust in God’s oversight of world events. Nothing happens that surprises God or which do not fall into His plans.
So, here are five reasons the Bible teaches Christians about the end time events:
- So you will be faithful (Matt. 24:42, 1 Thess. 5:2).
Jesus wrapped up His teaching in Matthew 24 with a simple instruction, “Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.” When Christians slog along in complacency and then become suddenly concerned about their discipleship when Russia attacks a neighboring country, it shows we are more concerned about ourselves than we are about being faithful to Christ.
To underscore this, Jesus follows up His teaching on the last days with a parable, recorded in Matthew 25. The parable pictures ten virgins who “went out to meet the groom” on his arrival. But five of them were foolish and had not prepared their lamps with oil. When the groom was “delayed,” they all slept.
So, when the groom arrived, the five with oil were prepared, but the other five scrambled to get oil for their lamps. Ultimately, they were tardy and were locked out of the house.
Jesus caps off the parable with this message, “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour” of His return.
- So you will not be deceived (Matt. 24:4, 2 Thess. 2:3).
The second reason that Christians are informed of the events that will close history is so that we will not be deceived about the nature of God or the reason for world events.
The Bible clarifies three ways we might be deceived. One is to think that every world event signals that the time has come. We stay anxious and distracted.
The other is to become so accustomed to the chaos of world events that we lose sight of God’s bigger plan. We drift into complacency and assume that these events don’t matter. That is, we forget that God is in charge, and that all of these events are reminders that He guides history (Acts 17:26).
And the third is to become so fearful that we think Jesus is not coming back. He is. Don’t be deceived into thinking otherwise.
- So you will not be alarmed (Matt 24:6, 1 Thess. 4:13)
It’s human nature. We see the rise of autocrats and despots, dictators and tyrants. We see war and pain and suffering. And many Christians experience it for themselves, persecuted, displaced, and jailed for their faith.
So, it is easy to be afraid. And that can bring apprehension that the end is near and that things will get even worse.
But Christians, of all people, should not be alarmed as the events unfold that will culminate in the close of history. Don’t misunderstand. We care about our world and about what happens to other people. But we also know that God is in charge (Prov. 19:21). Even the worst historical events confirm that Jesus was right, and His return is drawing closer every day.
- So you will be encouraged (Matt. 24:35, 1 Thess. 4:18)
For that reason, world events are not discouraging. They are encouraging. These events confirm the Bible’s authority, accuracy, and trustworthiness, and they remind us that the Gospel is true.
So the Bible reveals these events to give us hope, not heartache. Focus, not fear (Rom. 15:4, John 16:33).
- So you will endure (Matt. 24:13, 2 Thess. 2:15).
And with the knowledge that God is guiding the events of history, we are encouraged to endure, even as events worsen. Don’t be afraid and don’t give up.
World events, local chaos, and personal problems are not indications that God has clocked out or that He is caught off guard. Just the opposite. These indicate that He has been right all along.
And that confirms His promises as well. Including the promise the He is not finished, and that Christ is coming back.
But in His timing, not ours (Acts 1:7-8).
So, in the meantime, let’s be sure we are doing what He has called us to do. And when He comes back, no matter the condition of the world, He will find us faithful.
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28