And Then The End Shall Come
Part One

by Pastor Francis Frangipane

Because we live in prophetic times, there exists a great deal of passion concerning prophetic perspectives. Christian analysts on gospel television stimulate ever growing constituencies with new "signs" and "revelations," all pointing to the return of Christ.

Generally, such zeal is healthy, for we should live spiritually alert and sensitive to our times. However, it is also easy to make false assumptions, where we believe we are closer to the end of the age than we actually are. The primary problem is that, once we accept the premise that we are at the final stage of end time events, we step out of sync with the Father's heart.

Indeed, who among us, at one time or another, has not been manipulated by a false prophecy heralding the end of the world? These impulses arise from the very sincerity of those speaking, and they awaken the sincerity of our own fears and longing. Yet, in just the last 16 years we have been told the "88 reasons" Jesus was coming in 1988 (then 89 reasons. . .). We were informed that the Soviets were going to come down and attack Israel at the end of the 70's, 80's, right up until the USSR dissolved. Bookstores were full of "revelation" warning us that the 1990 Iraq War was the beginning of Armageddon. Indeed, who can forget the warnings about Y2K and the supposed beginning of chaos? And, of course, we are still awash in prophetic analysis (and confusion) concerning September 11th.

The strength of these end of the world predictions is that they are announced upon the backdrop of true prophetic fulfillment. We've seen Israel's restoration to its land. We've witnessed Daniel's prophecy that, at the time of the end, both knowledge and travel would increase (Dan 12). Plus, we've had our share of "wars and rumors of wars," "earthquakes" and the like (Matt 24:6,7). These fulfillments, and many others, are strong indicators that we are, in fact, nearing the end of the age.

Yet, there are major, worldwide events that clearly have not come to pass. The first, and most important, is Jesus' prophecy that, before His return there shall be a season of powerful global evangelization. He said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all nations, and then the end shall come" (Matt 24:14).

Currently, about 25% of the world has not even heard of Jesus Christ, even as an historical figure. And, even among those who are familiar with Jesus' life, very few have actually "witnessed" the power of the "gospel of the kingdom." What most Christians have experienced is the gospel of grace. There is a difference, beloved, between the gospel of grace and the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. The gospel of grace introduces us to Jesus. When hear of His sacrifice, His death on the cross, we are assured of a place in heaven. The gospel of the kingdom includes the good news of God's favor, but also brings us into the spiritual reality of heaven. We are born again from above; a new heavenly life, born of the Holy Spirit, beings aligning our hearts with the life and power of heaven. Indeed, as we actually become disciples and study Christ's words, we cannot help but realize: Jesus did not come simply to bring us to heaven when we die; He came to bring heaven to where we live.

APOSTASY OR OUTPOURING?

I thank God for the growing numbers of pastors and churches that are seeking hard after God. Many realize today that God has so much more for us. This is why we personally put a great emphasis in our training classes upon Christ's words, for in the combined meaning of all that Jesus taught, we discover the life and power of heaven.

There are some, however, who argue that church conditions today--division, prayerlessness, lack of holiness and power--are all that we should expect in the last days church. Their argument is that Jesus also warned of a great falling away from the faith. Yes, and they are proof of it! However, because they have succumbed to unbelief, that is no reason we should slide into such hopelessness as well. Listen carefully, Jesus said, "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world." Jesus is not referring to typical, traditional western Christianity, which has apostatized in many ways. He is not so unjust to offer the unsaved world a gospel spoken by powerless, sinful people. He said, "THIS gospel," speaking about His message! His message comes with corresponding signs, wonders and miracles, authenticating its divine source. This is how Jesus sent His disciples in the first century; and thus it shall be when He sends His disciples in the last century:

"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give" (Matt 10:7-8).

Christ's goal is not to introduce people to church, but to expose them to the power of heaven. Do we get this? The last days message is not, "stop sinning, so you can come to church," but "Repent, heaven is at hand." Listen again to the great commission:

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mk 16:15-18).

This is no, "Bow your head and repeat after me" prayer. The early apostles proclaimed God's word "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," that the faith of those who listened would "not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God" (1 Cor 2:4,5). Jesus Christ has not changed. God has not replaced Christ's gospel of the kingdom of heaven with impotent religion; both Christ and the Holy Spirit are with us, "even to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20). We should expect ever-increasing power to companion the church, and the gospel of heaven to be proclaimed with miracles worldwide, "and then the end shall come" (Matt 24:14).

THE END OF THE WORLD

People question, "Are we at the end of the world?" Listen, when I became a Christian, I experienced the "end of the world." From the moment I was born again, heaven has been "at hand." It is time to press into what God has for us. God has a word for the last generation on earth. It is not, "Repent, the end of the world is coming; it's, "Repent, for heaven is at hand."

My friend, the last days message shall be manifested in Christ's followers with all the power and authority that was embodied in Jesus Himself (Jn 14; Eph 4). No longer will Christians be identified merely as people going to heaven, but as people actually coming from heaven, with the power and character of heaven, to herald the king of heaven and His return to earth.

Next week we will talk of another great, yet unfulfilled prophecy that must occur before Jesus returns. Today, however, it is time to be trained to represent the realm of heaven. This truth, that we are being trained to represent heaven, is the core of our online training school. But whether you become part of the school or simply recommit your heart to the goal of Christlikeness, awaiting us is the greatest presentation of the gospel the world has ever seen, and "then the end shall come."

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