The End

I wonder… which do you prefer, the beginning or the end? Of course that will probably depend on what we’re talking about. I love the beginning of a holiday, I’m not so keen on the end. I love the beginning of a book, but I love getting to the end; providing the end is a good one! I am not so keen on the beginning of the day, leaving my nice cosy bed, but I love the end when I can safely return there.

Life is full of beginnings and endings, isn’t it? Indeed, in several places in the Bible God describes Himself as the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8; 21:6 and 22:13). Whether you like endings or not, in 1 Peter 4:7, Peter tells his readers that ‘The end of all things is near.’ What did he mean?

The Bible makes it clear that just as there was a beginning (Genesis 1:1) so there will be an end when Jesus comes again (Revelation 22:20). Nobody knows exactly when that ‘end’ will come but Peter, in a time of increasing persecution against the Church, encourages his readers by reminding them that the end of all things is near (1 Peter 4:7).

So, why hasn’t God brought that end to pass yet? Seemingly, because He is incredibly patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). And, of course, when it comes to what ‘nearness’ means, the way God measures time is not the same as the way we do (2 Peter 3:8). For with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

So, what was Peter’s point about the end of all things being near?

Essentially it is that we have no idea when God will call an end to time as we know it. It could be today or tomorrow. We just don’t know. And because we don’t know, we need to be ready at any moment for the great return of King Jesus. Indeed, Jesus spoke about this Himself many times (Matthew 24:36-44; Luke 21:25-28; John 5:28-29; John 14:1-3).

So, what is our priority in the waiting? Peter tells us: ‘Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray’ (1 Peter 4:7b). Because we don’t know the timescales, the best thing we can do is not to allow ourselves to be fearful or confused, but to keep our heads and seek the Lord in prayer. That’s our first response.

And the second naturally follows: ‘Above all, love each other deeply’ (1 Peter 4:9). In the waiting room of time, we aren’t supposed to sit idle, but to seek God in prayer and love those whom God places in our path. In our prayers, seek God, in our actions, serve one another. That certainly chimes with Jesus’ instructions (Matthew 22:37-40). If Jesus were to return today, would He find us ready?