What does it all mean? All that is happening?

Several have asked me what I think about all the disasters lately--terrible earthquake in China, cyclone in Burma (another on the way), tornadoes, earthquakes and floods in the US, threats of wars, brazen crime. When they ask me this, I know what they are really asking, "Are we in the last days?"

The simple answer is "Yes!" We have been in the last days since the cross. But that isn't really what they are asking, they are asking, "Are we in the last days of the last days?"

The simple answer is "I don't know." The flip side of that is, neither does anyone else.

Jesus taught as did other New Testament writers, that there would be increased "natural" activity--earthquakes, storms, etc. There would be wars and rumor of wars. There would be an increase in ungodly behaviors as the end of time approaches. So it does seem that the end of time is approaching, but how long is that? God works off a different time sheet than we do, a 1000 years are like a day and a day like 1000 years. So the end of time could come in a 1000 years or 1 day.

It really doesn't matter when Jesus' return happens for those who are in Christ Jesus. What matters is if we are living like his return could happen as you are reading this blog.

When Jesus addressed a similar question by the disciples when he ascended to be at the Father's right hand, he said it doesn't matter when it happens, you are my witnesses right now. So are we. We are Jesus' witnesses, his body, his representatives. We are living breathing Jesus-People praying "Maranatha," believing in and expecting his return at anytime, and living for him everyday--we are always "last days people."

I don't know what all this means; the increase in "natural" disasters, or the increase in world tensions, increase in violent world religions, or what seems to be an increase in ungodly lifestyles, but it doesn't change the way I am called to live and my calling to serve.

**Luke 21:10-11, 25-28, ""Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven...There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

**Matthew 24:36, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

**Acts 1:7-8, "He (Jesus) said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..."

**2 Timothy 3:1-4, "...mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..."