End Time Q & A #8

Q: Why is there so much confusion surrounding the end-times in the Church?
 
A. We have seen in part. Although our citizenship is of Heaven, the Church still exists in this fallen world, where darkness still clouds our understanding through man-made traditions and agendas
(Colossians 2:8).
 
A quick study of Church history reveals that as the time for an elemental truth of our faith to be restored is upon us, as listed in Hebrews 6:1-2, the Spirit of Truth enlightens the eyes of our understanding. That is what the Apostle Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:15-23, concerning the fullness of His Body.
 
What is this fullness? Paul tells us in verses 9 and 10—it is the mystery of His will. “Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,  that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.”
 
Many in the Church sense that our Lord’s return is soon. They point to the signs. Yet “soon” has lost its significance for so many because it is so ambiguous and uncertain. That is why the Apostle Peter reminded us not to ignore, overlook, or neglect the one thing we need to know about Christ’s return—the chronos timing (2 Peter 3:8).
 
In Ephesians 1, Paul’s prays for a spirit of wisdom and knowledge in three areas:

1. to know the hope of our heavenly calling;
2. to know the riches of our inheritance in Christ; and
3. to know the greatness of His power in those who believe.

 
Overlooking the chronos timing of Christ’s return robs the Church of the joy and urgency of walking in the fullness of these three areas while we are still on the earth. Heaven knows there are many who are floundering without hope—both in the world and in the Church.