In the mid-1960s, Barry McGuire hit the charts with his song, “Eve of Destruction”. It expressed what so many were feeling at the time as the United States grappled with racial tensions, anti-war demonstrations, the cold war with the U.S.S.R., serious cultural change at home, and the Kennedy assassinations. It was a time of division, fear, and confusion about where things were headed and our survival. His list was punctuated with the phrase, “you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction?” It was a question and a warning. Both were motivated by fear.
In 1989, Billy Joel released his iconic “We Didn’t Start the Fire” in response to someone’s statement that they thought it was more difficult growing up in the 1980s than it was in the 1950s. He produced a longer list going back in history and including what was going on currently and said that we didn’t start this, the world has always been a mess. We tried to fight it and turn things around, but it seems so out of control that he concludes by exclaiming “I can’t take it anymore!” He appears to give up and give in when he says that this world will just keep burning on and on and on. But will it?
Two months into 2022, we are again facing intensifying political and relational division, economic uncertainty, a lingering pandemic, and now Russia has launched a war in Ukraine. I have been asked by people in our community if I think this will spill into a wider war. Do I think we are headed for a nuclear exchange? What does the Bible say about this – are we nearing the prophesied end? These questions come from a mixture of curiosity about current events, fascination with Biblical prophecy regarding the future, and fear over what this will mean for us….for me.
In answering these questions and engaging in these conversations, my heart and mind keep going back to a conversation Jesus had with His disciples recorded for us in Matthew 24. As they walked out of Jerusalem they passed the temple and the disciples paused to admire this incredible structure. Jesus said that the temple they were so impressed with would one day be completely destroyed. They left the city and sat together on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. As they gazed at the temple in the distance, they asked Jesus when this would happen and “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).
Jesus told them that there will be wars and rumours of wars. Nation will rise against nation. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of this, Jesus said, is “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8). Like the start of birth pains, these things are real and they are intense. They are a warning that things are happening, and a taste of what is to come.
The list continued of things that will come next: religious persecution, political intrigue and war in Israel, and signs in the heavens. These are things that have not happened yet and are still in the future even today. Jesus said “when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (verse 33). Jesus then made these statements that we must not miss: “Keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (verses 42, 44).
As we pray for peace and help those in need around the world, as we pray for peace and care for each other closer to home, as we pray for peace in our homes and relationships, and as we pray for peace in our own hearts, it starts right here. The bottom line is that we must be ready so that when the end comes or our end comes, we are prepared. It seems that every generation has a moment, an event, a crisis, or a world leader that makes us ask the questions so many are asking today. Is this the end? Where is this going? What if it is the end…then what? Taking the time to ask these questions and reflect on our mortality and what happens after this life is always a good idea. There is hope, His name is Jesus.
Whatever happens next (or doesn’t happen) we need to come to God through Jesus, the only way to the Father. With this most important of all matters settled, we will be ready for anything and everything. In Luke’s record of this conversation, Jesus then told His followers “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
We do not know where this current crisis is going, but we do know that in God’s timing, according to His plan, the end will come. Many will wait and watch in fear for the “Eve of Destruction”. Followers of Jesus will wait and watch as that same event arrives and for them turns out to be the “Eve of Redemption”. This distinction makes the difference between facing an uncertain future with anxiety OR anticipation. Today we pray for peace, we help whomever and wherever we can, and we wait for Jesus.