Are we living in the end times?

Sincerely,
How Close?

Dear How Close,

Many verses that people use to discuss the end of time are used out of context.  It might surprise you to know that most of the book of Revelation has nothing to do with the end of the world (even John, the writer of the book, said that the book of Revelation was full of things shortly to come to pass – Rev 1:1).  So be careful in taking too much stock in what you read on the internet (which is ironic, since this is a website!) or hear through other people.  What matters is what the verses say, not what people think or assume.  Most stuff you read is merely conjecture.  2 Thess 2:1-2 specifically warns us about getting too caught up in worrying about when the end will come.

The clearest passages we have on the topic of the end of the world are 1 Thess 5:1-10, 2 Pet 3:3-12, and 1 Cor 15:50-58.  All three of these passages clearly outline what needs to be known about the end of the world.

First, it will come like a thief, and no one will be ready for it (1 Thess 5:2, 2 Pet 3:10).  If the day will only come when no one is expecting it, it only makes sense to not worry about trying to pinpoint that day since God says it is impossible!

Second, we should live every day like it will be our last (1 Cor 15:58, 2 Pet 3:11-12, 1 Thess 5:8-9).  If you are always living a holy and faithful life, it won’t matter when Christ returns – a point which you made in your question.  Live faithfully, and whether you live or die, you will be ready to meet your Lord (1 Thess 5:10).

Is the end of the world near?  Is illuminati part of the antichrist?  And who do you think the antichrist will be?

Sincerely,
Seeing Codes

Dear Seeing Codes,

If the end of the world is near, we won't know about it until it happens.  God promises that the end of the world will come "like a thief in the night" (1 Thess 5:2).  As for the Illuminati – read our article "Naughty, Naughty Illuminati" for further details on that particular organization.

The last part of your question deals with the antichrist.  The antichrist is not any single individual, and contrary to popular religious fiction, the antichrist has nothing to do with the end of the world.  The apostle John defined an 'antichrist' as 'every spirit that does not confess Jesus as God'.  An antichrist is anyone that is opposed to Christ and His teachings.  The world is full of antichrists.  1 Jn 2:18 says that many antichrists exist.  There are many false teachers and false religious figures that teach against Jesus – all of these are antichrists.

Do people have past lives because sometimes I feel like I had a past life before.  For example, I go some way, and I have never been there before, and I know my way around.  I see someone for the first time, and I feel like we have met before.

Sincerely,
Deja Vu

Dear Deja Vu,

The Bible makes it clear that we only have one life; reincarnation doesn’t happen.  Heb 9:27 says that we are appointed to die once, and then we face the judgment.  Each human is given one life to live.  The feeling of déjà vu that you experience from time to time is a normal human feeling, but it isn’t because of past lives.

Why do we need to go to church?

Sincerely,
Sunday Sleeper

Dear Sunday Sleeper,

The Bible teaches that we shouldn’t forsake the assembly (Heb 10:24-25).  God designed the church so that each individual would be strengthened by the power of the whole (Eph 4:16).  God never wanted christians to try and serve Him without the support of a local church; that is why He commanded the church to assemble.  It is impossible to do God’s work without being a part of a local church.  If you would like help finding a faithful congregation in your area, e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.

I just read the Marriage Clif Notes.  Is it okay for the wife to be the boss (because in my house, my wife is the boss)?  I guess it is the new thing today.

Sincerely,
Second-In-Command

Dear Second-In-Command,

Husbands are to be the spiritual leaders of their homes (Eph 5:23); the fact that it is popular and normal for men to shirk that responsibility and allow their wives to fill the leadership void doesn’t make it right.  A man that will not provide for his family is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim 5:8), and many a woman has torn her house down with her own hands because she doesn’t let her husband lead (Pr 14:1).  A nagging, bossy wife (Pr 11:22) and a lazy, apathetic husband (Pr 12:24) are a recipe for a disastrous marriage.  God designed husbands to lovingly lead their families and wives to respectfully support their husbands.