The Garbage Bin and the Four End-Time Essentials: Part 1

Written By Mark Hamby

Reflective Reading: Matthew 24

Could the events unfolding in the Middle East be the beginning of the end of time? If there were ever a period of time that could check off prophetic end-times criteria, this would be it. Through the years, many have claimed to know specific dates and times, but their failed predictions have led many astray. Could this be the real thing? Let’s explore. 

The events of late can be compared and contrasted with those during World War II. The Jewish people were the center of attention then, as they are now, but the difference is that three major countries are now uniting in an unusual strategic alliance—China, Russia, and Iran (Persia). I would love to go into detail about the importance of this alliance in light of prophecy, but that would reach beyond the intent of this article. 

The decision to prevent Iran from being able to destroy Israel and/or the United States may be a wise decision, but it can result in unexpected consequences, leading to a strategic alliance that guarantees oil for China and Russia in exchange for military aid and protection for Iran. At the same time, the weakening of NATO demonstrates to this powerful alliance that NATO no longer has the unity or will power to protect vulnerable countries such as Israel. If this is accurate, this may set in motion what Jesus talks about in Luke’s gospel:

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Luke 21:20).

For end-time prophecy to unfold, some argue that the United States must be removed from the world stage so that the great war in the Middle East can take shape, with Russia and China as the primary actors. Others predict that the United States is the Great Babylon of Revelation, and waits on its impending doom, where smoke from its destruction will be seen across the sea. While many end-time views could easily fit into our present-day news, I believe current world events are not as important as the “four essentials” that we must possess now and at the end of time. 

The first of the four essentials is found in Jesus’ teaching about the end times:

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, andshall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:3-14).

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).

The first essential is to preach the gospel in all the world. The opportunities are endless. Rarely does a day go by without God bringing someone into our lives for whom we can be a light. One reason we may not be as passionate as we should about sharing the gospel is because of a failure to live out the next essential responsibility. 

Matthew 24 and 25 highlights Jesus’ teaching to be prepared in all godliness and to be vigilant in a specific work. That work is summarized in the last words of His prophetic end-time teaching:

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:31-46).

The first two essentials are to preach the gospel in all the world and become the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to the “least of these.” As I ponder this, I am inspired to see the world in a different light. Rather than set my mind on world events, I see events unfolding right before me. This morning, when walking to a café, I stumbled upon a most beautiful village in Cornwall, England, called Port Isaac. Set near the Celtic Sea, this peaceful paradise breathes life into your soul. A steep path led me to a village nestled by the sea where I noticed a worker shining a garbage bin that also functioned as a dog-waste depository. At first I felt sorry for him, but something in his work caught my attention. He was smiling. And with his towel and spray bottle, he had a sense of pride in keeping this garbage bin sparkling clean. The words on his equipment said, “Keeping Cornwall Clean.” 

Walking through Port Isaac has given me new inspiration and appreciation for beauty and cleanliness, and a life being quietly lived with a high standard of excellence. He inspired me, and I thanked him for keeping the bins so clean and doing his job so diligently. He beamed. Soon we were engaged in conversation that led to an exchange of contact information. Hopefully he will soon be listening to a Lamplighter Theatre drama and will hear the gospel in a clear, dramatic presentation—praise God! 

I’m grateful for the privilege of meeting him and for the opportunity to live out two of the four essentials this morning. 

Next week I’ll share part 2 of The Garbage Bin and theFour End-Time Essentials. 

Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God!

Sincerely,

Mark Hamby

2 Timothy 4:1-8 

M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min

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