There are so many things in the news at the moment that make our hearts ache.
We might think of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the irrationality and brutality of Vladimir Putin; instability between China and Taiwan, and Xi Jinping’s oppressive rule; tensions around Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan; Afghanistan; the state of US politics; the state of UK politics, for that matter; climate change; famine in Africa; the drought; the Lambeth Bishops’ Conference; soaring energy prices; problems with the NHS; the gap between rich and poor – and so on.
We are reminded of the words of Jesus: ‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
‘Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
John Calvin, commenting on 1 John 2:18, said: ‘It behoves us to comfort ourselves at this day, and to see by faith the near advent of Christ … nothing more now remained but that Christ should appear for the redemption of the world.’ Martin Luther likewise anticipated the early return of the Lord, stating: ‘I think the last day is not far away.’
We cannot, of course, ‘know the day or the hour,’ (Matt.24:36). But current national, international and global difficulties should certainly remind us that in this life we are strangers and pilgrims. And we are to live ready for Christ to return – even today. Is your church ready? Are you ready?
