Focus on Today

A recurring theme in my conversations with Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike is an obsession with the ‘end times’ and what the Church has to say about the end. Whether it is the myth of the rapture or the anxiety of the tribulation, everyone seems to panic about the end.

At that time, Jesus’ disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Messiah, and they will lead many astray.’ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will stumble, 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. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Matthew 24.1-13

We gather two things from this passage in the Gospel of Matthew. First, we can be comforted knowing the disciples were worried about the end also. Second, it will be our endurance that saves us in those days. We may or may not be in the ‘end times’ but we know they’re coming.

Many also are confused about why the Church does not preach publicly from the Book of Revelations. Long ago the Church removed the prophecy from the lectionary exactly because of our preoccupation with the end. The Church wants us to focus on today.

Remember what Christ said, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24.44) On the one hand God wants us to know what will happen at ‘the end’ so when it happens, we will remember His promise to save us.

On the other hand, He wants us to be ready for Him at any time. We cannot, and most likely will not, be ready for Him if we spend all our time focusing on ‘when’ rather than being ready for Him now. We will never know the day, so why panic? Focus on being ready today.

Now, about the myth of the rapture. Many Christians think the ‘good’ people will be rescued before the tribulation. Many books, movies, podcasts, blogs and videos have been made all including the myth that people will magically disappear to be with Christ. This is a myth.

We know this is a myth. Those who believe in the rapture read, “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. “Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.” (Matthew 24.41) This verse is about judgment, not rapture.

Here’s how we know this is a myth. Christ promised to shorten the tribulation ‘for the elect’ because if He waited even one more day even the elect would fall away from the Church. It is our endurance throughout the tribulation that will save us by God’s grace.

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  (Matthew 24.22-24)

It is clear that all living people will experience the tribulation. So, why panic? Our ‘job’ as Christians is to be ready today, to focus on today, to love Christ and live for Him today. The ‘end’ will come someday. It may be today. It may be next week. It may be in a thousand years.

The risk for our salvation isn’t that God will forget us. Our risk is that we will be so preoccupied with trying to discover the day ‘when’ He will return, we won’t be ready if that day is today.