In 1 John 2:18, John says: “Dear children, this is the last hour”. I want to briefly elaborate about how this makes ‘now’ the best time to be alive —

  • Remember, the New Testament (N.T.) talks about ‘two eras’: the age of the Old Covenant (O.C.), and the era of fulfillment: the New Covenant (N.C.) which Jesus has brought in. The N.T. talks about the O.C. as the era of preparation for the fullness which the N.C. brings in.
  • Thus, Jesus begins his public ministry by announcing that God’s Kingdom ‘has come’: “Jesus … proclaiming the gospel of God. ‘The time has come, … The kingdom of God has come near.’” The word for “time” means: ‘season, period, end-time, opportunity’; the word translated “has come” means: ‘has been fulfilled, has been accomplished, has arrived, has been brought to fulfillment’; while the word translated “has come near” means: ‘is at hand, has come close’ and means an action which was completed in the past with ongoing effects in the present.
  • So, Jesus says that the fullness of the accomplishment of God’s plans and purposes began two Millenia ago! Thus, ’A.D.’ is the era for us “on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11; CSB). The word for “end” means ‘end result, fulfillment, outcome’. Thus, we live in “these last times” (1 Peter 1:20), “these last days” (Hebrews 1:2).
  • Therefore, we Christians live in the era of the gospel, of the Church, an exciting age in which God is bringing all His eternal purposes and plans to a climax. You life matters greatly, because you play a part in brining God’s eternal desires to complete fulfillment! You and I have been given a great privilege by God, to live this side of Jesus’ coming (& death, resurrection, ascension and pouring out the Spirit).
  • At times, church and Home Group etc. can seem or feel not very significant, BUT THEY ARE. We need to remember the truth (from God’s word). Each Sunday, each Bible study etc. we are spiritually drawing near to the Eternal God, to heaven, to angels and to believers already in heaven (Hebrews 12:22-24)! The greatest realities of your life are not what you can see, but spiritual: your old life is ’dead’, you are spiritually resurrected and ’in heaven’ (Colossians 3:1-4).
  • So, may each of us be EXCITED about living for God and his Son and His gospel, in this MOST EXCITING TIME TO BE ALIVE!

Empowered by the Spirit, we are to make disciples of Jesus,

of all people of all ages, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Cameron