Are we living in the end times?

Question

Sun Myung Moon · Accepted Answer

The question of whether we are living in the "end times" resonates deeply with humanity's hopes and fears concerning our collective destiny. A comprehensive understanding of this period, illuminated by both biblical prophecy and the Divine Principle, is crucial for discerning our current global reality and our responsibilities in shaping the future. The Biblical Foundation: Signs of the Close of the Age The Bible prophesies the "end of the age" or "last days," yet it emphasizes that the precise timing is known only to God. Jesus stated, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36). Nevertheless, He outlined significant signs preceding His return and the establishment of God's Kingdom. These signs include global turmoil: "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars... Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24:6-7). While historically present, their intensity and global interconnectedness in recent times are notable. Daniel prophesied a time when "many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase" (Daniel 12:4), strikingly descriptive of our modern technological explosion. Crucially, Jesus declared a prerequisite for the "end": "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). Humanity now possesses unprecedented means to fulfill this global evangelization. Furthermore, moral and spiritual degradation defines the last days. Paul warned, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:1-5). These biblical indicators collectively point to a culminating period of history, not necessarily a singular, instantaneous event. Divine Principle's Clarification: The End of an Era, Not the World The Divine Principle affirms that we are living in the age of the Second Coming of Christ and the completion of God's providence to restore humanity. Accordingly, the "end times" do not mean the world's physical destruction, but the "end of the fallen world order" and the "end of the satanic sovereignty." It signifies the termination of a period dominated by sin, paving the way for God's ideal. History is a sequence of providential ages, each with its own "last days," leading to a new dispensation. Our current era is the "last days of the entire providence of restoration," the final stage before the full realization of God's Kingdom on Earth. The Divine Principle explains that the "end does not mean the complete destruction of the world" but the "destruction of Satan's dominion" and the "establishment of God's dominion." The biblical "wrath of God" (Revelation 6:17) is the natural consequence of humanity's deviation from God's Will, leading to conflict and societal decay that ultimately clear the way for a new, God-centered order. The "new heavens and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1) refer not to physical annihilation and recreation, but to a spiritual and moral renewal where God's ideal manifests through a transformed humanity and society, impacting hearts, social structures, and our relationship with nature. The Second Coming will bring salvation that is both spiritual and physical, ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven at hand. This age is characterized by justification through attendance, where individuals strive to become Divine Spirits through great effort and love, guided by the Lord and his bride. Understanding the Deeper Meaning: The Second Advent The "end times" are specifically the period for the Second Coming of Christ to complete the mission that the First Coming, hindered by Jesus' crucifixion, could not fully accomplish. This means He comes "in the flesh" (2 John 1:7), not literally on clouds, just as John the Baptist came in the flesh as Elijah, not on a chariot of fire. Jesus also predicted suffering and rejection for the Lord of the Second Advent, stating, "But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation" (Luke 17:25), and comparing His return to "the days of Noah" (Luke 17:26). This suffering and being ignored only make sense if He comes in the flesh, not as a glorious spectacle in the clouds. This time is for the advent of the True Parents who, having indemnified for the Fall, bring humanity back to God by giving spiritual rebirth and establishing a lineage free from sin. The "end of the age" is thus the time for humanity to embrace this new level of truth and leadership. The Divine Principle calculates the timing of the Second Coming by identifying paral

Are we living in the end times?

The Biblical Foundation: Signs of the Close of the Age

Divine Principle's Clarification: The End of an Era, Not the World

Understanding the Deeper Meaning: The Second Advent

Living the Principle

Sources and further reading