By ROLAND CHIA
Is the recent spate of
natural disasters "the signs of the end" about which
Jesus spoke in Matthew 24?
THE recent spate of natural disasters and the serious threat
of the avian flu pandemic have led some Christians to think that
perhaps we are living in the period when the predictions of Jesus
in Matthew 24 are being fulfilled. Even the media is beginning
to speak of these natural calamities in language reminiscent of
the apocalyptic passages of the Bible.
What are we to make of this? Do these disasters indicate that
the end of the world is around the corner and that the return
of Christ is imminent?
In order to answer these questions, we must clarify what the New
Testament means when it speaks about the "end times".
By this term, the New Testament refers to the inauguration of
the kingdom of God by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Through the
first advent of the incarnate Son, the eternal kingdom of God
has entered into human history, thereby signalling the beginning
of the end. The consummation of the kingdom will be brought about
by the parousia or the return of the risen and ascended Lord.
The "end times" that the New Testament speaks about
therefore does not refer to the period in history that immediately
precedes the return of Christ, as some Christians have mistakenly
thought. It is the period between the incarnation and Second Coming
of Jesus Christ. The "end times" have lasted for two
millennia so far!
When the New Testament speaks of the "signs of the end",
it is referring to certain phenomena that will take place during
the period that it designates as the "end times". Thus,
the signs do not indicate that the parousia is about to take place
soon. This is made clear by the fact that some of the signs predicted
by Jesus were already evident to his contemporaries. In Matthew
24:34 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, this generation
will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."
Some scholars interpret this statement as referring not only to
the cataclysmic events that Jesus spoke of about but also to the
parousia. If this were the case, then Jesus' prediction was obviously
wrong. But careful study of the context shows that "all these
things" does not include the return of Christ, but refers
only to the events which are delineated in the preceding verses.
The signs therefore point to the fact that the end times have
already arrived, although the end itself remains elusive. "Such
things must happen," Jesus says, "but the end is still
to come." (Matt 24:6b). These signs are therefore just "the
beginning of birth pangs". (Matt 24:8).
Jesus does not dismiss the importance
of these signs, but in the Olivet Discourse he urges his hearers
not to schematize the signs as if they present a kind of calendar
of the end times.
Throughout the history of the Christian Church numerous attempts
have been made to calculate the exact date of Christ's return.
Each generation of Christians would read the events in their own
time as indicating the imminent return of Christ. Well-meaning
Christians have forwarded many speculations about the possible
identity of the antichrist throughout the Church's history. Even
in our day such speculations have not abated (Bill Gates being
the latest candidate!).
Matthew 24:36, however, alerts us to the fact that such speculations
are futile: "No-one knows about that day or hour, not even
the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
We inhabit a world that is changing rapidly, a world that has
become very dangerous. The question that we need to ask ourselves
is: How then should we live in such a world? Interestingly, this
is the question that Matthew 24 and 25 seek to answer. The parables
that bring the Matthean version of Jesus' eschatological discourse
to a close have to do with watchful discipleship.
The faithful and wise servant (Matt 24:45-51) will by his watchful
obedience prepare himself for the return of the Master. The delay
in his Master's return would not in any way affect his commitment
and resolve.
The parable of the
ten virgins (Matt 25:1-13) again drives home the point that Christians
must be constantly prepared for the unannounced return of their
Lord. And the parable of the talents (Matt 25: 14-30) emphasises
this same point yet again. This parable also stress that Christians
should not wait for the end passively, but should immerse themselves
in active service by using the talents that God has given to them.
The "signs of the end" in Matthew 24 therefore are not
meant to draw Christians into futile speculations. Rather they
invite Christians to be prayerful and diligent, and to commit
their lives to unflinching obedience and faithful service.
Dr Roland Chia is Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Lecturer
in Historical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Theological College.
He worships at the Fairfield Preaching Point in Woodlands.
QUOTE:
WHAT 'END TIMES' MEANS
By the term "end times", the New Testament
refers to the inauguration of the kingdom of God by Jesus Christ,
the Son of God. Through the first advent of the incarnate Son,
the eternal kingdom of God has entered into human history, thereby
signalling the beginning of the end. The consummation of the kingdom
will be brought about by the parousia or the return of the risen
and ascended Lord.