Every year, headlines spark a wave of end-times speculation. Wars, disasters, cultural chaos — people ask, “Are we in the end times?” It’s a fair question. But how we answer reveals much about our view of God’s kingdom and His plan.
Some Christians approach the end times with fear — waiting for everything to collapse. Others fixate on charts and timelines, reading every crisis as the final signal. And many believers, sincerely longing for the rapture, quietly withdraw from efforts to bring change, reasoning that the world is doomed anyway.
But Scripture gives us a very different lens: Jesus is not wringing His hands in worry. He is already reigning as King. A victorious eschatology doesn’t deny the reality of trials — it simply insists that Christ’s victory is greater than the darkness.
The Kingdom Has Come
“The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” — Mark 1:15
When Jesus began His ministry, He didn’t announce a delayed kingdom — He declared a present one. His death and resurrection inaugurated the reign of Christ on earth, and since then His kingdom has been advancing. The “end times” aren’t just ahead of us — they began at the cross and continue until Christ’s return.
This means history is not spiraling out of control. It is moving toward a climax under the sovereign hand of God. And while evil and chaos will still rage, the decisive victory was already secured at Calvary.
Shaking, But Not Destroyed
“Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” — Hebrews 12:28
Yes, the world shakes — politically, environmentally, morally. But shaking is not the same as destruction. Shaking reveals what cannot last and exposes the futility of human pride, while pointing us back to what is eternal.
The world’s kingdoms crumble, but God’s kingdom is unshakable. His people are not defined by the instability of the headlines, but by the security of His reign.
Watchfulness: A Call for Every Believer
Over and over, Jesus told His disciples: “Keep watch” (Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:37). The end times are not meant to make us fearful, but watchful.
Watchfulness means:
- Remaining spiritually alert (1 Peter 5:8). We resist apathy, sin, and distraction.
- Living ready for Christ’s return (Matthew 25:1–13). Like wise virgins with oil in their lamps, we prepare daily.
- Persevering in obedience (Luke 21:36). Watchfulness is not passive staring at the sky — it’s active faithfulness on earth.
The Rapture Hope — But Not an Excuse to Withdraw
Like you, I hope for a soon rapture. Paul called it “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). Longing for Christ’s return is right and biblical. But sometimes, this hope can lead believers to disengage from the world, reasoning, “Why bother if it’s all about to end?”
That perspective misses the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Even in His most direct end-times discourse (Matthew 24–25), His emphasis was not speculating about the hour but serving faithfully until He comes.
- The servant who buried his talent was rebuked — not because the Master returned suddenly, but because he failed to work while waiting (Matthew 25:14–30).
- The faithful servant was blessed because he was found feeding others when the Master came (Matthew 24:45–46).
Hope in Christ’s return should never breed passivity. It should stir urgency. Every extra day before His appearing is not wasted time but a fresh opportunity for gospel witness, for acts of love, for standing against evil, for working to bring God’s kingdom values into our world.
Signs With Hope
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.” — Matthew 24:6
Notice: Jesus didn’t say the signs would be easy to watch, but He commanded His followers not to be alarmed. Wars, disasters, persecution, cultural chaos — none of these mean God’s plan has failed. They are part of the labor pains leading to new creation (Matthew 24:8; Romans 8:22).
The command not to fear is anchored in the promise that Christ reigns and history is in His hands.
The Gospel to the Nations
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” — Matthew 24:14
This is one of the most overlooked “signs.” Before the end comes, the gospel must go forward. That means every year that passes, God is extending mercy, giving more time for repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The surest “sign of the end” is not disaster but mission. If we truly believe Jesus is coming soon, our priority should be sharing Christ urgently, not retreating in fear.
Living in Victory, Not Fear
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:57
Victorious eschatology means we don’t live like the story ends in despair. We live as ambassadors of a conquering King.
- We don’t minimize suffering, but we refuse to let fear dictate our faith.
- We don’t deny chaos, but we interpret it through the lens of Christ’s sovereignty.
- We don’t just wait for an escape; we press forward in mission until the trumpet sounds.
The end of the story is not collapse. It is renewal — heaven and earth restored, Christ reigning visibly over all (Revelation 21:1–5).
Conclusion
So what about the signs of 2025? Yes, there is chaos. Yes, the world trembles. But Jesus said: “Do not be alarmed.” His kingdom is advancing. The gospel is reaching nations. The unshakable kingdom is spreading across a shaking world.
The question isn’t “When will it all fall apart?” but “How can I join Christ in His victorious work today?”
For believers, the end times aren’t a countdown to defeat — they are a call to hope, courage, and mission. We remain watchful. We live ready. We long for His appearing, but we refuse to stop working for His glory until the day He returns.
Because the King is coming — and until then, the King is already reigning.
About the Author
I write at the crossroads of faith, leadership, and storytelling. If this reflection spoke to you, I invite you to explore my books — works that aim to equip, encourage, and challenge believers to live with courage and conviction.
- [Command Presence: Tactical Guide for Life & Leadership] – lessons from law enforcement applied to everyday resilience.
- FREE – [Faith & Focus Devotional] – daily encouragement for grounding your spirit in Christ.
- [Sacred Ground: Bloody Knuckles] – stories of struggle, grit, and redemption.
You can find them here or at the links above.
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