We often hear people today asking, “What are the signs that the end of time is near?” Wars, earthquakes, political unrest, false teachers, moral decline, and other troubling events cause many to wonder if these things indicate that Christ is about to return. While the Bible certainly teaches that Christ will come again, it does not teach us to look for specific signs that will tell us when the end is near. In fact, Jesus specifically warned against trying to predict the time of His return.

In Matthew 24, Jesus spoke about wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. However, He said, “See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). He continued by saying, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Jesus was not giving His disciples a calendar of events by which they could calculate the end. He was teaching them to be prepared.

There will be no warning that allows mankind to set a date for the Lord’s return. Paul wrote, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). A thief does not announce when he is coming. Likewise, Christ’s return will be unexpected. Peter said, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10).

Jesus plainly said, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). We do not need to decipher world events. We need to faithfully serve God every day. We need to obey the gospel, remain faithful to Christ, worship according to His Word, live righteous lives, and be prepared to meet the Lord.

The Bible does not call us to be end-time predictors; it calls us to be faithful Christians. Instead of watching the headlines looking for signs, let us watch our own lives and make certain that we are walking faithfully with God. The Lord’s coming is certain, but the time is unknown. “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

The end of time will come. Christ will return. The dead will be raised, judgment will take place, and eternity will begin (John 5:28–29; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We may not know when it will happen, but we know what we must do. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

God Bless

One of the most common questions raised when we teach that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins is, “What about the thief on the cross?” Jesus told the thief, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Some conclude from this that baptism cannot be necessary for salvation. But the thief on the cross does not contradict what the New Testament teaches about baptism.

First, we must understand when the thief lived and under what law he died. The thief lived and died before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus had been completed. Jesus was still living under the Old Testament period. Hebrews 9:16-17 says, “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” The New Testament had not yet gone into effect when Jesus spoke to the thief.

The command to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins was given after Christ’s death and resurrection. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the first gospel sermon and commanded those who believed, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This was after Jesus had died, been buried, and risen from the dead. The thief could not have obeyed a command that had not yet been given in the New Testament covenant.

Second, the thief was not saved under the same covenant and circumstances under which we live today. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He had authority to forgive sins directly. Jesus said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you” (Matthew 9:2). He then demonstrated His authority by healing him. The thief’s forgiveness came directly from Jesus while Jesus was still on earth and before the New Testament covenant became effective.

Today, we do not receive forgiveness by asking Jesus to personally speak forgiveness to us as He did to the thief. We must obey the gospel that Christ commanded His apostles to preach. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Peter preached the same message in Acts 2.

The thief on the cross is therefore not an exception that removes the necessity of baptism. He lived and died before the New Testament command to be baptized for the remission of sins was established. We live after Christ’s death and resurrection, under His New Testament covenant, with His completed gospel revealed to us.

We should not use an exceptional circumstance from the Old Testament period to set aside a clear command given under the New Testament. The question is not, “What did Jesus tell the thief?” The question is, “What has Jesus commanded us to do?” The answer is clear: believe the gospel, repent of our sins, confess Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 22:16).

The thief on the cross was saved by the grace and authority of Jesus. We are saved by that same grace when we obey the gospel Jesus has commanded under the New Testament. Rather than being an argument against baptism, the thief reminds us that we must rightly divide and understand the covenant, the time period, and the command God has given us.

God Bless

We live in an imperfect world. Every day we see the effects of sin, disappointment, sickness, suffering, broken relationships, and death. People fail us, and at times we fail others. Yet in the middle of an imperfect world, there is One who is perfect, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” He experienced hunger, weariness, rejection, sorrow, and temptation, but He never sinned. He was perfect in His character, perfect in His love, and perfect in His obedience to God.

Jesus came into this imperfect world for imperfect people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We cannot look to ourselves for perfection, because we have all fallen short. But God demonstrated His love by sending His Son to provide the way of salvation. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross is the greatest evidence that God does not abandon us because we are imperfect. Instead, He offers us forgiveness through Christ.

Because Jesus is perfect, He is the perfect example for our lives. Peter tells us that Christ “suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). We will not live perfectly, but we can strive to live faithfully. When we stumble, we can turn to God in repentance and seek His forgiveness. First John 1:9 teaches, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The world may never be perfect, but that does not mean Christians should simply accept the imperfections around us. We are called to be different. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). In a world filled with darkness, Christians should let the light of Christ shine through their words, attitudes, actions, and daily lives. We cannot change everything that is wrong with the world, but we can allow Christ to change us.

One day, God will take His faithful children out of this imperfect world and bring them into a perfect home. Revelation 21:4 tells us, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.” Until that day comes, let us keep our eyes upon Jesus, the perfect One, and faithfully follow Him. We may live in an imperfect world, but we serve a perfect Savior who offers us forgiveness, hope, and the promise of a perfect eternity.

God Bless