A viral video that made it’s way around the internet has of a father reading the poem “The Last Time”. I want to read to you that poem.
You might long for the person you were before
When you had freedom and time
And nothing in particular to worry about
You will know tiredness like you never knew it before
Days will run into days that are exactly the same
Full of feedings and burping
Nappy changes and crying
Whining and fighting
Naps or a lack of naps
It might seem like a never-ending cycle
But don't forget...
There is a last time for everything
There will come a time when you will feed your baby for the very last time
They will fall asleep on you after a long day
And it will be the last time you ever hold your sleeping child
One day you will carry them on your hip then set them down
And never pick them up that way again
You will scrub their hair in the bath for one last time
And from that day on they will want to bathe alone
They will hold your hand to cross the road
Then will never reach for it again
They will creep into your room at midnight for cuddles
And it will be the last night you ever wake to this
One afternoon you will sing "the wheels on the bus" and do all the actions
Then never sing them that song again
They will kiss you goodbye at the school gate
The next day they will ask to walk to the gate alone
You will read a final bedtime story and wipe your last dirty face
They will run to you with arms raised for the very last time.
The thing is, you won't even know it's the last time
Until there are no more times. And even then, it will take you a while to realize.
So while you are living in these times, remember there are only so many of them and when they are gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them.
For one last time. (Author Unknown)
In the video, after the father reads the poem, he looks at his son across the room. He gets up, walks over to his son and picks him up. The 20 something son looks at his dad and says, what are you doing? To which his dad says, that was the last time I’ll pick you up. And he drops him.
There are a lot of last times that we don’t know are lasts times in this life. And one of the most important last times, is the last moment before Jesus’ physical return to this world. Because after that moment, all of creation will never be the same.
This idea of the last moment in what we know of human history, is what brings us to our final week in our Counterfeit Series, we’re we’ll be finishing up our look at some false teachings that are becoming more accepted into the Church worldwide. We started this series by laying a foundation that can help us recognize false teachings and teachers. We started with the understanding that only by knowing God’s Word thoroughly, can we recognize a counterfeit teaching when we encounter it. After that, we looked at four biblical clues that can help us recognize a false teacher, prophet, or pastor. These were, that they make predictions that do not come true, or they’ll call us away for the God of the Bible, or their predictions might come true but then they’ll call us away from the God of the Bible as well, or they’ll just deny that Jesus came in the flesh. Knowing these clues will help us know if a person is a false minister. The final foundational aspect that we talked about, was how false teachers always have to diminish the Word of God in order to twist it to their own ends.
Once we covered these foundational aspects, we moved on to look at several specific false teachings. We did this by using the Progressive Church as our basis, but most of these false teachings can be seen in other groups that claim to be Christian as well. The counterfeit teachings we’ve covered have been: the diminishing of God to the status of being equal with his creation, the rejection of biblical sinfulness making it into a behavior problem, diminishing Jesus’ divinity so that he was a human who touched the divine, rejecting Jesus as the only way of salvation, and then last week we talked about, rejecting the biblical understanding that ours is a dying world and not a place we can saved.
This last belief, carries into our final counterfeit teaching that we’ll be discussing today. See if our purpose on this world is, as the Progressive Church believes, to create a justice and peaceful human society through social justice efforts, then do we need Jesus to return, if we are the ones creating the perfect human society?
In his comparison of fundamental Christianity and Progressive Christianity, Randal Wehler puts forth that Fundamental Christianity believes in a “Literal ‘second coming’”, whereas Progressive Christianity believes that “Revelation description not decipherable. (https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/comparing-fundamental-and-progressive-christianity-one-persons-view/)”
In other words, Wehler is putting for that the return of Jesus for the Progressive Church cannot be deciphered from the Bible, and so it is steeped in mystery. Because of this, finding a clear description on what the Progressive Church believes about the return of Jesus is actually a lot harder than you would think. Most churches have at least a quick statement about Jesus’ return. In fact, for the Alliance, it is one of our core four beliefs. We refer to Jesus as our coming King. Now in the Progressive Church, there are several papers and statements on specific end times topics, such as the rapture, but not so much on the actual return of Jesus.
But I did stumbled upon a writing by Ed Taylor entitled, “Affirmations and Confessions of a Progressive Christian Layman - End Times”. Out of the roughly fourteen pages of writing, I think two quotes, one about halfway through the paper and the other at the end sum up Taylor’s writing and the stance of Progressive Christianity’s view on Jesus’ return. Taylor writes, “In my opinion, we should not spend too much time worrying about the second coming. I can’t predict when or where or if such a thing will happen. No one can! Wouldn’t it be better to build a little heaven on earth while we are here than worry about the second coming or the end of the world?” And later he writes, “I prefer to ignore the gobblegook about end times and concentrate on the here and now. I think there is far more value in living now than in speculating about something that may or may not happen in some undefined future. (https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/affirmations-and-confessions-of-a-progressive-christian-layman-end-times/)"
These two statements really do sum up Progressive Christianity’s view on Jesus’ return, because, as we showed last week, their focus is in making this world a just and peace society. Jesus’ return would be gobbledegook for someone who doesn’t see a need for his return. If we are the saviors of the world, then why would the world need it’s Savior to come back?
But, as we have been doing this entire series, we must ask, what does the Bible have to say on the subject?
Let’s look at this issue from three sides. First, from Wehler, let’s ask the question, is the return of Jesus literal, or is revelation truly not decipherable?
When Jesus was brought to trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, this is the interaction we get between the high priest and Jesus as recorded in Matthew 26:62-64, “62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ 64 ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”
In this one response, Jesus references a portion of a prophecy from Daniel chapter 7 and by doing, Jesus does two things: he affirms his divinity, and points to his eventual return in triumph. How did Jesus do this? Because in Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel sees a vision. This is what he records himself seeing, “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
A couple things of note from this passage that the high priest would understand when Jesus referenced it. First, Jesus claims that he is divine, because in Israelite worship, only Yahweh was seen as riding on the clouds and only Yahweh was to be worshiped. By Jesus claiming to be the son of man from this passage, he was making himself equal to Yahweh. Secondly, this son of man, would receive an everlasting dominion. Since Jesus’ dominion has not fully be revealed as spoken as an everlasting one over all nations, Jesus must return for it.
It’s because of this statement by Jesus, claiming to be the son of man in Daniel 7, that Matthew records the response of the high priest, “65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.’”
But that’s not all. In the book of Acts, chapter 1, verses 6-11, listen to the final interaction between Jesus and his disciples, “6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7 He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’
Here we see that the angels proclaimed a return of Jesus. Jesus physically left this world, and as the angels promised, he would return in a physical way. So, yes it is clear from the Scriptures that Jesus plans on returning in a physical way to this world.
That brings us to our second side of this issue, when is the return of Jesus?
In Ed Taylor’s writing that we referenced earlier, a common critique he had was that, every generation of Christian believer has believed that Jesus would return in their lifetime, yet Jesus has not returned in the almost 2,000 years since he ascended. So, therefore Taylor concludes that we shouldn’t worry about it. But what does the Bible say?
Peter, who was one of those disciples who watched Jesus ascend into heaven and heard the promise of the angels, wrote this in his second letter, “3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:3-10)”
Peter recognized three parts of Jesus’ return. First, people would scoff at the idea. Peter knew that until Jesus returned, those that reject him, would laugh at Jesus actually returning. Why? Because if they believed he would return, they would have to repent of their sins and follow him the way he said to do so. Second, God’s view of time is not like ours. Jesus’ return hasn’t happened, not because it will not happen, but because God is working his plans as he sees fit. For us that could mean waiting a long time, but for him, it’s a drop in the bucket of eternity. Thirdly, Jesus’ return will be quick. Though there are precursors to Jesus’ return, the actual event will come fast. So quick will it be, that Jesus says of that day, “37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:37-39)”
And so the answer to our second side of this issue is, Jesus’ return in imminent. Meaning it could happen in the next moment, later today, in a couple of months, or in thirty years. In God’s timing, it’s just in a moment.
The final side of this issue comes from Ed Taylor’s words, “I prefer to ignore the gobblegook about end times and concentrate on the here and now.” The question we must ask is, is it, as Taylor believes, either gobbledegook where we should not worry about it, just do good while we’re here, or be in constant watchfulness not doing good while we’re here?
Well, in the passage, 2nd Peter 3, that we looked at earlier, Peter gives us the answer. After he tells us that the day of Jesus’ return is imminent, Peter writes this, “11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
Peter tells us it’s not one or the other. We are to be ever watching for Jesus’ return, and while we are watching for it, we are to lead God honoring lives. As we talked last week, we are to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. We are to lead peaceful lives in front of the world. We are to watch out and care for those that are more vulnerable in our midsts. We are to be salt and light in this dark tasteless world.
Taylor looks at it as a dichotomy, you either wait around watching for Jesus’ return, or we do good. But the biblical reality is, we are to do the good that Jesus saved us to do while in this world, and at the same time, watching and preparing for his return. And if we don’t see Jesus return while we’re living, then we will meet him after our body dies. But if we are here when he returns, we will meet him in the air. Either way, it’s not, either or.
But this is the crux of most counterfeit teachings, they want to get our eyes off the Creator and onto ourselves. That’s what diminishing God is all about. That’s what rejecting biblical sinfulness and Jesus’ divinity is about. That’s what rejecting Jesus’ as the only way to salvation, and creating a peaceful and just society is about. And that’s what dismissing Jesus’ physical return is about. Counterfeit teachings always have as their goal, to take our eyes off of God as he reveals himself, and place them on ourselves. That is what the serpent did with Eve, and that’s what he continues to do through counterfeits such as the Progressive Church.
But, if we want to follow Jesus as he reveals himself, then we must be actively watching for his return and doing the good that he saved us to do. We must be prepared for that day, and God tells us the way we must be ready.
And so I my challenge for you this week is this, are you ready for Jesus’ return? It might happen in the next minute, it might happen in a hundred years, the question is, are you ready for it? The way in which you can know that you are ready is simple: First, you’ve accept Jesus as your personal Savior. Second you’re daily seeking him more and more in your life. And finally, you’re doing the work of the Gospel, pointing others back to Jesus as their only Savior.
Those three areas of our walk is all that is required of us to be ready for Jesus’ return. This week, I want to challenge you to go before God and ask if you are fulfilling each one of those areas, and if not, to do so.
If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, and you know that he is the only way to salvation, then what is stopping you?
If you’re not seeking him daily more and more, what’s stopping you? Start by making it a goal to start your day talking with him, and make your phone, TV, or coffee second.
Finally, if you’re not pointing people to Jesus for their salvation, ask God in those times of prayer, to give you opportunities to share the Gospel with someone. Our job is to plant seeds, it’s God’s job to grow it.
Jesus’ return is coming, when is it, we don’t know. The point is it’s coming, not based on what I or anyone else says, but solely based on God’s promise. And if he promised Jesus’ death and resurrection and that came true, then you know for a fact that Jesus’ return is on the horizon as well. So, as God’s people, we must be ready. Amen.
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