How Near Is The Kingdom?

Luke 21:31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.


For many years I've been hearing many people, Christians and non-Christians say that the end is near. I remember as a kid seeing those comics with the guy standing in the midst of a busy city street with a sign stating that very idea, "the end is near". I guess the comical part of it was the guy was looked upon as an extremist religious fanatic.
I got saved in the early 90's and at that time it seemed like all the Christians I encountered were saying the same thing. I was just beginning to learn about the Bible and had no idea about the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy indicating that we would actually be in those last days. The foremost prophecy being discussed was about Israel becoming a nation again in 1948. I would listen to all of this and even find the Scriptures that referred to these prophecies, such as Isaiah 11:12, 66:8 and Ezekiel 37:21 and wonder if we really were in the end of days. I heard sermons on the above passage and chapter in Luke, especially the following verse; ^32"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place". The belief was that the generation that was alive or born in 1948 would live to see the return of Christ; the Rapture.
I wasn't so sure. I knew from history that people have been saying that the end of the world was coming in just about every moment in history. It seems that the disciples thought it was true for their time as well. I wasn't sceptical about the prophecies, it was just the complexity of the prophecies and I just couldn't see how anyone could be absolutely sure about the timing of these events. And the truth is that I have never really studied the prophecies thoroughly enough on my own to feel secure enough to come to such a determination. I have even looked at the prophecy update web pages to see what others were saying about these things. And there were times when it seemed like we were in those days because of some of the world events taking place such as 9-11, Y2K, the continuing and growing unrest in the Middle East, the frequency and intensity of earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc. Still for most of my Christian walk, I wasn't sure and remained a sceptic.
Until the last few years.
I don't know if I've somehow gotten caught up in the sense of foreboding and anxiety I see going on around me in so many others or if I am just sensing what is actually happening. All I know is that I'm not as sceptical anymore. Now that doesn't necessarily mean a thing. I'm just some guy from Dundalk, MD. who is feeling the way he is feeling. And I know all about the recent predictions of Harold Camping and many others and how foolish they are and how they make the rest of us look like buffoons. Plus the fact that there have been now how many TV shows and movies about the end of the world in the last decade and the Mayan calendar prophecy that all this end of the world stuff is all the rage now. I know I could just be jumping on the bandwagon. But I can't discount the possibility that God is informing me through His Holy Spirit that He is coming and coming real soon.
The conflicts taking place between Iran and Israel, the nuclear weapon issue with Iran and the Islamic Shia eschatology on the end times which the leaders of Iran are convinced we are in is a reality taking place right now. Iran is certainly moving in the direction of annihilating Israel and they have been vocal about including the United States in that plan as well.
The weather patterns, the intensity and frequency of extreme weather problems certainly appears to be getting worse. I don't know what the statistics say on this but I do know that earthquakes are happening in areas where they hardly ever happen at all. I am no expert on any of these issues but it seems to be getting worse.
The lowering of morality is painfully obvious. What used to called wrong is being called right. The attitudes, especially of many if not most of the younger members of our world is sad. The sense of entitlement, the disrespect for others, for authority is getting worse. The role models for them that I see on MTV and most other television shows and movies are selfish, self-centered and are concerned with pleasure at any cost. Their main objective is hedonism and their god is their entitlement to fleshly pleasure. I am sure there are many youth in this country that thankfully do not fit these descriptions. But they seem to be becoming a dying breed. Unfortunately many of us adults aren't that much better. 
And then there is the looming economic crisis that is world wide. The economic experts don't see a solution. I'm no expert but I know enough to know that when you have more going out than you have coming in that big trouble is around the corner. You pull the false security of stable finances out from peoples feet you will see people becoming increasingly desperate and willing to lower their morals even more. We are already seeing the desperation in the streets with the Occupy movement. People are struggling with so much stress and pressure that it is inevitable that something is going to give.
In my mind as I pray, study Scriptures, teach Bible studies, talk with other believers and think of all these things I just wrote about, I see a stage being set. A stage being set for someone to come in when it seems like everything is going to fall completely apart and have the right look, right attitude, right words and what will seem to be the right solution to get mankind out of this mess. And that person will be the anti-Christ. I have never felt this way in all of my life. I am surprised by my own words. I have never been this dramatic about these matters. But as I sit here and type I can feel it in my bones. I feel it in my soul and in His Spirit within me.
Will it be before I die? I have no idea. All I know is that I have never seen so many Christians crying out to God for Him to return soon or to take them out of here as soon as possible. As a counselor I have seen the faces of those who are frightened and anxious over what they sense as well. I thank God for His word which has brought myself and many others so much comfort in these dark times. That He doesn't want us to let our hearts be troubled. That He wants us to believe in God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and be ready for His imminent return. But before that happens His Spirit is being poured out to let others know that it is not too late, not yet anyway. And His patience in holding off is a manifestation of His grace as well. For there are many who need to know that the solution will not come in the form of a economic advisor who can fix the economy, or a spiritual leader who will have all the right words and have all the religions holding hands singing kumbaya or in a man of peace who will get the nations to sign peace treaties but that the One who is the only solution to the problems is simply waiting for them to turn from everything else and to turn to Him with just a mustard seed of faith. And who is He using to show Himself to them?
I hope you are one.
Is it just me or can you feel it too? Am I the religious extremist fanatic wearing the "end is near" sign now?