Given the increased strife and violence worldwide, the average Christian may have asked himself of late, “Are we seeing the first rumblings of the ‘End Times’?”

Has the Catholic Church, with the large-scale corruption of her ecclesial hierarchy and increased division within her members, entered into the slow and painful journey of the final Passion that will mirror her Bridegroom?

Doesn’t this signal we are nearing the beginning of the “end”?

Famines, pestilences and wars

And what if this is true? What exactly will happen?

Well, Jesus answered this question, and it is recorded in three of the four Gospels. (The Apostle John also talked extensively about it in his Book of Revelation.)

Jesus told us there will be an uptick in natural disasters such as famines, pestilences, earthquakes, wars, “terrors and great signs from heaven“ (Luke 21:11).

There will also be more fighting and division: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Luke 21:10).

Jesus also added that “…many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold” (Matt 24:10-12).

Perhaps even more chilling is recorded in John’s Book of Revelation in chapter 16, verses 8-9), where there will be a great inferno released that will swallow up the earth–an event that Peter also described in which “…the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up” (2 Pet 3:10).

So when will all this take place?

We don’t know. Jesus does give us a hint, however, that’s recorded only in Matthew’s Gospel:

When the Good News of the Kingdom of God has spread throughout the entire earth as a testimony of truth to all nations–then, the end will come–and Jesus will return in glory (24:14).

Have they been taught?

So where does that leave our youth who have not been taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ by those of us who should know better?

God knows who’s at fault for his own willful ignorance, and who’s not.

That means, for those of us who do know, “To whom much have been given, much will be required“ (Luke 12:48).

I know I’m quoting a lot of Sacred Scripture in this post, but this verse should terrify all Christians. (It does me!)

We will all be required to give an account of all that we did (and didn’t do) based on the knowledge that we had of right and wrong at the time.

Let’s face it: as a society, we have let our children down (not to mention the legalized murder of millions–but that is for another blog post).

Nihilism and despair

Today, younger generations are pushed to the brink of nihilism–a shadowy world of despair that never loosens its grip.

The world promises them total fulfillment but has only failed them, providing a mockery of the true joy they seek.

Nihilism is the mindset that vehemently rejects the existence of a loving God.

Yet a more desperate thought constantly breaks through their dreams where their consciousness has no control, screaming like a toddler throwing a tantrum: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

And during their waking hours it’s “older sister” nags, incessantly tapping them on the shoulder, begging to be heard through the fog of their despondency: “If this is all there is, then why do I exist?“

Onward and upward

The Christian knows the answer to this question because he has investigated the evidence.

And somewhere in his search he has concluded that there is more to live for than this life alone.

His focus changes, and his eyes lift upward–not into oblivion as he once thought–but into heavenly glory.

He learns that God has never abandoned him; nor will He, throughout the entire journey of his life.

So, what about the end of all things? What’s a Christian to do?

Be prepared

God wants us to get prepared now for our own death–whether that be at the end of time or the end of our lives.

But how?

Well, Christ tells us.

We pray, fast from decadence and selfish impulses, give of ourselves to our families, and in various forms of work–whether that be teaching, laborious work, administration, healthcare, law, counseling or positions of leadership–it should be directed towards bringing about more justice, truth and goodness into the world (Eph 4:11-13).

We also seek healing through the Sacraments.

Advent

And Advent is the perfect time to begin, as the name, “advent”, comes from the Latin, “adventus”, which means, “coming”.

Christ arrived once, He comes to us in the Eucharist and He is coming again!

It’s not about us

The beautiful thing about Christianity is it always brings us back to Christ, and away from ourselves.

Even with Christian charity, it should never be about ourselves: “I gave to this person, aren’t I great?”

In the end, it’s not about us (what?!).

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) said, in the end, we will be judged by how much we loved.

In the end, whether of our lives, or at the end of time, Jesus will look at each one of us and ask, “When did you love?”

Fact from fiction

About the actual event of the End Times, we must sift fact from fiction.

There have been countless speculations (and confusion) about what Christ has revealed to us concerning this pivotal and final moment in history.

For instance, What about this great fire that will burn up the world?

Don’t we want to be “taken” with Christ before this happens?

No, unlike Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind books and the “rapture,” we want to be the ones still standing.

We want be able to withstand it’s heat and flames.

Why?

Christians are supposed to be imbued with the Holy Spirit, which can be compared to that of a fortress, shield or precious metal.

Whereas, the wicked will be swept away like chaff in the wind (Ps 1:4).

With this analogy in mind, those left behind are the ones who were not harmed by the purifying fire but were able to stand with confidence until the end (1 John 2:28).

Diamonds, silver and gold

Like a diamond, we want to be found strong enough to endure God’s mighty presence.

Like the malleability of gold, we want to be found humble enough from a lifetime of allowing Him to shape us into the person we were created to be.

And, like the incorruptibility of silver, may He find us without rust, spot or blemish, so we can cast our fears onto Him and run into His loving embrace.

So let us all “fight the good fight” and finish the race!

“Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36, JB).