Dear Pacific Union Member:

Ever since Jesus left the earth with a promise to come back again, His followers have watched for the signs that it would happen soon.

• The evils of secular society and the apostasy in the church within the first 300 years after Jesus left had believers certain He would be coming back soon.

• During the Middle Ages (a time so bad we call it the Dark Ages), you could be killed if found with a copy of the Scriptures. The faithful certainly thought Jesus' coming would be soon.

• In the early 1840s, there was such a revival of spiritual interest, it has gone down in history as the Great Awakening. Some even set a time for Jesus return.

• Through two world wars with their unprecedented destruction and pain, it seemed Jesus would surely come soon.

But Jesus did not come!

Not Talked About

Now we have come to a time when many are so afraid of sounding a false alarm, they hardly dare talk about events around them as possibly signs of Jesus' return. But some generation will be the one. Jesus did not lie. He is going to physically come back to this earth and take us with Him to heaven.

“When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:2-3).

Last year, in one of the most lifelike dreams of my life, I experienced a taste of the joy of Christ's return. When I woke up, I was terribly disappointed it was not for real (unlike other dreams after which I was relieved it was only a dream.) But that little taste of joy left me determined to say and do more to let people know Jesus is coming back again.

Recent Events to Think About

Here are some things happening right now that have me asking myself, “Is this the end?” I am not declaring it to be that time, just asking myself out loud.

• There is a definite falling of the Holy Spirit on people around the world. Both in genuine and false manifestations. It is, of course, false if the “spirit” does not lead one to Bible truth. We are seeing thousands join the Remnant church from Buddhism, Hinduism and various native religions. I talked recently to a person who held an evangelistic meeting in one language but every night was heard by three ladies in their own language. Just one of many similar occurrences (Gospel Workers, p. 384).

• In Shawn Boonstra’s Phoenix, Ariz., public meeting that many of you experienced via satellite, there have been nearly 600 baptized in Arizona alone so far, but the number attending because of advertising was unprecedented. People are hungry for Bible truth. The Holy Spirit is doing some powerful things right here at home (John 16:13).

• Laws are being passed normalizing lifestyles the Bible condemns. Those upholding Scripture are being denounced as bigots and extremists. Jesus said it would happen before His coming. It is! (Luke 17:26; Jude 7)

• Unrest in the Middle East continues to escalate beyond anyone's control. Whatever your understanding of the Battle of Armageddon, it seems obvious that the tensions there, over a mixture of oil, politics and religion, could quickly lead to the end-time, worldwide conflict (Revelation 16:16).

• The Protestants of the United States are reaching out to the Catholics as never before in history. A definite part of end time events (The Great Controversy, p. 588).

Well, I have just gotten started on my list and the page is full. But maybe it is enough to cause you to also ask yourself: “Is this the end?”

Your friend,

Tom Mostert, President

Pacific Union Conference

Mostert@puconline.org