I was not altogether sure about the endtimes, so I went online and found a couple of websites about the endtimes:
As we read through some of these, we can’t help but feel that our times today reflect some of these signs. On the other hand, when read for another generation, that list might be as true for them as it is for us.
In my lifetime it seems there certainly are more naturally-occurring disasters right now, like earthquakes and volcanoes, than there used to be…maybe climate change, and more destructive storms. But these are part of our planet’s continuing evolution towards stability. The earth is not finished evolving. And these kinds of disasters and sweeping changes are nothing new to Urantia.
The Urantia Book does not mention the endtimes as such in its teachings, and really, I seriously doubt whether we are going to see a day when the end is in sight. The Urantia Book does not warn about times like that, that I know of. They do tell us about the beginning or the ending of an age, and I wonder sometimes if we are in a transition time from one age to another right now…but that’s just my personal imaginings.
Associated with the endtimes is the reappearance of Jesus – his second-coming-and that is something that is certainly included in UB teachings. Here is a passage from Paper 176, where Jesus talks about his return and the “ripening of an age.” He makes predictions here, and promises, and speaks in parables:
176:2.5 “But the times of the reappearing of the Son of Man are known only in the councils of Paradise; not even the angels of heaven know when this will occur. However, you should understand that, when this gospel of the kingdom shall have been proclaimed to all the world for the salvation of all peoples, and when the fullness of the age has come to pass, the Father will send you another dispensational bestowal, or else the Son of Man will return to adjudge the age.
And now concerning the travail of Jerusalem, about which I have spoken to you, even this generation will not pass away until my words are fulfilled; but concerning the times of the coming again of the Son of Man, no one in heaven or on earth may presume to speak. But you should be wise regarding the ripening of an age; you should be alert to discern the signs of the times. You know when the fig tree shows its tender branches and puts forth its leaves that summer is near. Likewise, when the world has passed through the long winter of material-mindedness and you discern the coming of the spiritual springtime of a new dispensation, should you know that the summertime of a new visitation draws near.
Are we passing through “the long winter of material-mindedness…?” Sometimes, it seems we are right in the middle of it, but times are changing – slowly but surely-from my perspective, at least.
In the end, we can do no worse than to take the Master’s advice later in this paper about these concerns:
176:3.2 “Have I not all this time taught you that your connection with the kingdom is spiritual and individual, wholly a matter of personal experience in the spirit by the faith-realization that you are a son of God. What more shall I say? The downfall of nations, the crash of empires, the destruction of the unbelieving Jews, the end of an age, even the end of the world, what have these things to do with one who believes this gospel, and who has hid his life in the surety of the eternal kingdom? You who are God-knowing and gospel-believing have already received the assurances of eternal life. Since your lives have been lived in the spirit and for the Father, nothing can be of serious concern to you. Kingdom builders, the accredited citizens of the heavenly worlds, are not to be disturbed by temporal upheavals or perturbed by terrestrial cataclysms. What does it matter to you who believe this gospel of the kingdom if nations overturn, the age ends, or all things visible crash, since you know that your life is the gift of the Son, and that it is eternally secure in the Father? Having lived the temporal life by faith and having yielded the fruits of the spirit as the righteousness of loving service for your fellows, you can confidently look forward to the next step in the eternal career with the same survival faith that has carried you through your first and earthly adventure in sonship with God.
Thanks again for this important question. I hope my reply is helpful. Please write back any time!
Date published: 2014-04-04 13:03:08
Author: Truthbook Staff
