Why I Look Forward to the End
Filed under The Kingdom of God on March 10th, 2011 by Guest WriterEditor’s Note: Joel Richardson is an author, artist, and lecturer, specializing in Islamic eschatology, and its role in how events may unfold in fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.
As a Christian author, teacher and commentator whose message often revolves around “the end times,” I am frequently asked how I cope emotionally with such a constant drum beat of negativity. How can anyone stomach a steady diet of such non-stop gloom and doom without developing a nervous condition?
While I understand the question, the fact of the matter is that discussing “the end times” doesn’t depress me at all, it actually excites me. But before I am quoted out of context, please allow me to explain myself. Discussing the end times actually energizes my spirit because my view of the end times is radically different than the popular understanding of the end times as it is most often conveyed and portrayed. Because the Bible informs my understanding of the end times, instead of anxiety and fear, I am filled with great hope and expectation.
You see, when most people hear the phrases “the end-times” or “the last days,” they often mistakenly understand these terms to be referring to some future destruction of planet earth or the complete end of all mankind. But from a Biblical perspective, this is not how these terms should be understood. Instead, the Bible simply portrays the end-times as the end of one particular age and the beginning of another much, much better age. The things that the Bible portrays as coming to an ultimate end are things that we should all be excited about.
Let’s consider a few examples of exactly what I am talking about.
I am a friend to a ministry called Exodus Cry headquartered in Kansas City, whose efforts are devoted to the abolition of modern day slavery. Did you know there are more slaves today than at any other time in human history? The dark and spidery fingers of the sex-slave trade have worked themselves deep into nearly every corner of the globe. The overwhelming majority of these slaves are young women and girls, some as young as five years old, forced against their wills to endure abuse and degradation beyond description. It’s impossible to hear of this reality without being overwhelmed with emotion. But to be very clear, from a Biblical perspective, when we discuss “the end-times,” this is precisely what we are discussing coming to an end.
And this is unspeakably good news.
The global sex-slave trade will be abolished, those unrepentant criminal predators that have perpetrated these evils will be judged, and every last victim will be personally comforted, healed, vindicated and beautified by the Creator of heaven and earth.
For me, this is the very heart of “the end-times” message. And you can be sure that I’m looking forward to this.
What else will come to an end in the “last-days”?
When I look back to the very first days of my children’s lives on this earth, I can’t help but to think of how absolutely and utterly dependent they were. My family lives next to an elementary school. I love to hear the sounds of laughter and shouting that fills the air during recess. But I also can’t get it out of my head that in the United States, for every twenty kids that are present on the playground, roughly ten more are missing. Where did they go? They were legally murdered by the very people that were meant to protect and care for them. The number is far higher for African Americans; for every ten, there are nearly eight that are gone. This reality should bring anguish to any who have a sense of justice.
Even more disturbing is the fact that abortion is an industry wherein multitudes are slaughtered as a few become filthy rich. I am fully convinced that God is at the same time heartbroken and enraged. With Him, I burn for the day when this great evil will be a thing of the past.
When we discuss the end-times, we are discussing the decisive end of the wholesale slaughter of the most vulnerable, the most dependent, the most innocent little lambs that this world has to offer. So yes, I’m absolutely looking forward to this.
Of course, there are multiplied thousands of other injustices that we could list. When discussing the end-times from a Biblical perspective, we are discussing the end of all of the things that mankind has groaned under for millennia. We are discussing the end of corrupt and unjust governmental leaders, the end of the exploitation of the weak and poor, the end of all war, the end of disease. Who wouldn’t look forward to this?
When I talk about the end times, I’m not talking about the destruction of this planet and all of its inhabitants. Not at all. I’m discussing its redemption, its renewal.
But wait! What about all of the death and destruction that the Bible describes will occur before Jesus returns? To be fair, the Bible most definitely describes some very dark times that will precede the redemption of creation. I believe we are seeing the beginning of those dark days right now. Yes the events in the Middle East are moving toward the unified Islamization of the region. Yes, the increase in natural disasters is going to continue. Yes, the financial crisis will get far, far worse. And for this reason, I’ll continue to blow a trumpet and sound the alarm. Dark days are coming. Wake up. Repent. Get ready.
But from a Biblical perspective, the dark days are never to be the emphasis. The focus is always to be on the Redeemer to come. According to the analogy that Jesus used, the difficulties that lie ahead are only the birth pangs and contractions; they are not the conclusion of the matter. The contractions point to and ultimately lead to birth. And despite the immense pain (or so I have been told), associated with delivery, the miracle of holding a newborn baby always eclipses the suffering that preceded it.
Yes, there are many things these days to be concerned about. There are numerous things that might cause us anxiety or even depression. But I’m looking beyond the dark days to the Messianic Kingdom that will soon be birthed in the earth. Jesus the Messiah will be King over all the earth. I believe this emphatically and I make no apologies. I’ll continue to shout it from the rooftops and yearn for it with every ounce of who I am.
What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly. - Richard Bach
Joel Richardson is the author of Islamic Antichrist and God’s War on Terror. His blog can be found at www.joels-trumpet.com
Tags: end times, eschatology, Guest Writer: Joel Richardson, Islam, israel, joel richardson
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Thank you Joel, and Amen!
I love this!! Thank you, Joel. BTW, I was privileged to attend your seminar at Woodmont Bible Church in November 2010. It was fantastic.
Many blessings to you and your precious family.
Justice will reign supreme. Thanks Joel – this helps put things in perspective.
Thanks Joel! I’m glad someone else feels like I do and I’m glad someone else is interested in what gonna happen in the end times! God Bless You and thanks for the islamic antichrist!
I too am watching the events of these days and looking forward to the Coming of our King. Thanks, Joel, for bringing clarity in the confusion of these times.
I’ve found another kindred spirit in Joel. Finally, a rational voice for the end of our age. I might just have to read his book; that is, after I purchase the other, 20 or so, that are on my list before his…
Joel, check out the evidence that God will not again uproot Israel, and will extend his Mercy again to those who currently are not of his camp in the Land of the chosen People of the Book (Ezkl. 47: 21-23; 48:22, 35b). –Jabez
Joel, see also the You Tube lead in string “Angels in Mecca”, beginning with the 2008 self disclosure. These fallen ones are getting bolder by the minute. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA4YoZ1ouo4
This camera angle in particular is most self disclosing. It is apparent that the satan, past lucifer, wishes to be worshiped. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY5HWIQlZNM&feature=related His anti-Messiah will in this decade continue this self revelation/disclosure with increasing boldness and intention to receive the glorification only to be given and exalted of Jesus Christ.
What are the myths, facts, associations, and ideations which correlate the Madi with the AC of 2nd Thesl 2? What will lead into this time period which Paul grants future knowledge of? Who are the saints slain of Revl. 19 and leading to Revl. 20? Is prohecy then centered in our churches in our nation, or around the Jerusalem of Daniel’s longing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziJqahIzNO8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-HSu5QUZYc&feature=related
Wishing I had placed more in a collected post, sorry. The political leader of Iran claims to have met with the person described by this article in our days http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdi
Those angels just look like glare from the lights to me. Notice how they only appear when the camera is moving.
Jesse, Yes, it is possible, but look further at where the outline starts and finishes, and at some other posts. I have seen an angel from our Father doing intercession in Northern Israel. Fallen angels have similar structural and light bearing appearance in essence.
2 Corinthians 11:14 (New King James Version)
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
I don’t know, it’s one of those things that’s hard to say either way.
Sorry if this goes a bit off topic, Jabez. H. I have seen you post many times on this particular website of Dr. Brown’s ministry and have found your comments well written, very educated, and in the truth of God’s Word.
I’ve never seen an angel from the angelic host, meaning God’s Kingdom. I have seen demonic spirits several times, either what God has shown me or when I was into witchcraft. The times I’ve seen them has either been just a dark, shadow like figure with the texture of a dryer sheet, with a human outline. The other time I saw such a figure like this it was very muscular, again, I could only see its outline and dark texture.
God has been dealing with me the more I seek Him. In fact, he has shown me the demonic spirits that have been working in my life to keep me from His will, purpose and victory.
One such spirit that He showed me was one of social anxiety, social phobias, a feeling that people are always looking down at you, thinking you look foolish, thinking you’re dumb, low self-esteem, almost self hatred, that there is something always different about you, wrong with you.
When He showed me its face it was ALWAYS looking down at me, think of a rich person who has their nose in the air. What was interesting is that its eyes were almost beautiful, like a beautiful woman, but they were piercing, dark eyes and I sensed this vanity about it. You know those who look down on people because of their own beauty or good looks, or because of their riches, others who aren’t as beautiful or as rich are scum. Who are you!? You’re nothing!
When I was seeing this face, it was as if my spirit was out of body, and it was throwing me around like I was nothing. Then it was as if I was in the back of seat of this dark vehicle, laying down in the back seat. I could make out that it was driving. It was obvious that God was showing me that it has been in control, in “the driver’s seat” of my life.
He also showed me a demonic spirit of lust. It had these hugh eyes and looked like a bloated frog. As Jesus said:
Matthew 6:22-23
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
You know how a frog has bulging eyes, these were even bigger. Through the eyes we lust, as we lust for women, or whatever you may lust after it begins to fill your body, as someone who has eaten too much, bloated and stuffed. The eyes keep feeding the body, gulping it down, over-indulgence and over-consumption.
And last God showed me a spirit of anger/frustration. It had the most ANGRY, INTENSE look on its face. A stare that burned straight through your body. But this thing WAS SUPER MUSCULAR, you could see it’s neck bulging with muscles, think of The Incredible Hulk.
Just like how when you’re at church, at least at my church, Word of Life, you can feel a shift in the room when God’s presence is there. The heavy burden is lifted, the yoke destroyed. Well, the demonic works in the same. I can honestly tell you that you can go from feeling nothing to feeling intense lust, anger, or low self-esteem overcome your body. The heaviness increases.
I believe that God showed me these spirits because He wants me to overcome them so He can begin to start using me to help others overcome, to recognize these things as what they are. I was foolish enough to dabble into witchcraft because I thought it could fulfill a need. It just made my life much more difficult. Satan is a liar!
Genesis 50:20
20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
For too long we have underestimated the power of Satan and his influence. The enemy attacks with thoughts, disguised as who you think are. The power of God’s Word is what God says about us, the truth of who we are when you have made Jesus Christ your savior. Not your thoughts. Not the enemies thoughts. The thoughts of God, because God knows and sees who you can become. You are who God says you are! He can turn what the world sees as a nobody into somebody, a dangerous weapon that can further His Kingdom and cause.
God will make a way where there seems no way.
Jesse. Thank you for sharing your own perceptions, experience, and warfare–coming to grips with a past with the employment of the armor Jesus provided us. It can seem difficult to shake the condemnation that the satan fosters indeed. You are not off topic. Since you are an adopted son of God the authority and care of Christ is with you. The scriptures also say that we struggle in many ways, and that He emerges triumphant. We put Him on. We take His Word to be our new identity. He is with us always. We accept and preach His adequacy for our inadequacy (of our weakness and suffering, I Cor 1:3-9; and chapter 2).
Codependency is to not understand where we leave off and another starts. For those once into sexual struggle there is something incomplete, until the realization of a total lack of condemnation in Christ is held closest to one’s chest. The only other living being we want to embrace at the core of our being is the Promised One, the one who meets with us in our prayer closet, and, yes, in our fellowships and gatherings. Praise too lifts the mantel of darkness and condemnation. If we then carry our lack of clarity of who we are from the past, as being now adopted, we may always be in the approval trap–waiting for some other soul to complete our soul. Only He can complete us. We can affirm with Jesus Rom 8:28-39. And, in the final analysis, STAND, and STAND, while STANDING.
Thank you for your kind words, please join me in praying for the Asbury model for revival to become the focus of prayer of this ministry, and thousands of others this fall, in order for the Lord to visit our nation early next year. Thank you for your trust and open words. Love you, brother. –Jabez
“….and every last victim will be personally comforted, healed, vindicated and beautified by the Creator of heaven and earth.”
Sorry Joel I agree with you mostly but all victims are not christians so this will not happen , Only those in Christ will have this. Being a victim of man does not make you chosen of God so this is a false hope unless you are a Universalist which I doubt you are