Trusting the Future with The Creator

MAX’S GUIDE THROUGH THE END TIMES

Max Lucado fans, be forewarned. His latest book, What Happens Next: A Traveler's Guide Through the End Times, is unlike any previous book he has written. While his writing still contains his unique humor, poetic storytelling, and his deep, pastoral compassion, this book is unique because of the subject matter. The topic is epic, and the timeline of the end times is complicated and controversial. Max seems to offer little room for debate, although he acknowledges there are many interpretations of the topic.

His target audience is “Christians struggling with a fear of the future.” He also targets pastors. A message he recently posted on YouTube urges pastors to “take this important message to their congregations.” The question is: will the “struggling, fearful Christians” be able to grasp Max’s topic and timeline and the complicated biblical references from the Book of Revelation? Max has great confidence that the message of the book is needed to help alleviate the widespread fear of the future and “give people hope to face the problems of this life by focusing on the promises of the next.”

ESCHATO…. WHAT?

Eschatology is the study of the end times; a time when the world as we know it will end, as described in the Book of Revelation. Max agrees that many people are "leery" of a discussion of the end times, even confused and cynical. Just the mention of "Eschatology" makes some people want to run for the hills.” He says, there are others, like himself, that are fascinated by it. He hopes that the cynical, fearful, and confused will take courage and attempt to understand what the Bible says is ahead.  

WHAT DOES LIE AHEAD?

In Chapter 1, Max has no trouble making the case that people today are troubled, especially young people. They have anxiety disorders, and depression, and report suicidal thoughts. The statistics on adults aren't much better. Many older people look forward to escaping the chaos of this world, and long for the day when Jesus will return. Max says we are definitively in the end times. He points to all the signs; Israel becoming a nation, wars, famine, pestilence, and natural disasters increasing in intensity and frequency. 

He says, “Christ could come any day. That’s why Christians need to know and be prepared for what is ahead.” Yet before Max begins any discussion of the end times, and uses words like tribulation, Armageddon, Anti-Christ, etc., he always reminds believers of the many covenants and promises made by a loving God throughout the Bible. “God always fulfilled his part, even if the people did not.” Max says another foundational truth to remember is, “We were created to rule and reign with Him. We can be sure that God has a plan for the ages.”

GOOD NEWS, ALBEIT CONTROVERSIAL

Max firmly believes that Christians will never experience a day of tribulation. “Not long before the great suffering begins, our Savior will appear in the sky, and we will be collected or raptured.” We will receive our glorified bodies and our loved ones who died as Christians, will rise to receive their brand-new bodies too. Max says another event occurs in "Paradise." You will be rewarded by Christ. You will someday hear Jesus say, "Good job, and no good deed will go unmentioned.”

While ceremonies and celebrations occur in Paradise, the people still on earth will enter the Tribulation – seven years of unimaginable suffering. The Anti-Christ will come and appear to bring peace. Yet, three and a half years later, panic and chaos will ensue. The Anti-Christ demands to be worshipped. New Christians will refuse and be martyred. Unbelievers who refuse to bow down will be killed as well. Max says, “During the tribulation, there will be a revival that encompasses the whole planet.”

The timeline which includes the “rapture” obviously means that Christ will return twice; once to whisk Christians away to spare them the Tribulation, and again, when He descends to step foot on the Mount of Olives to begin His Millennial reign.

“NEXT BIG EVENT ON HEAVEN’S TIMELINE – THE MILLENNIUM

Max says, “Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives and usher in the Millennium. He will reign on earth for 1000 years and be enthroned and worshipped. The Christians in Paradise and the Christians who died before will be resurrected to reign with him.” Satan will be trapped and cannot create or cause evil. Unbelievers on earth will be put in Hades to be resurrected at the end of the Millennium. When the 1000 years end, "Christ will collect all believers and unbelievers for the ‘Great White Throne of Judgement.’ Unbelievers who still reject Him will be sent to Hell.”

A new city awaits true believers, a place with plenty of rooms, and mansions of various sizes, a place with no more crying, suffering, pain, or death. A place so beautiful it is hard to imagine. It will be the city where we meet our God face-to-face and worship Him forever. God says, “Behold I am making all things new.”

Max concludes, “Jesus has done everything possible to steer people in the direction of the final event on heaven’s timeline, choosing eternal life, over eternal death. Those who chose to reject Jesus chose their fate. Those who chose to love and serve Him in this life will know the joys of eternity.”  When we chose to follow Jesus, our names were written in the Book of Life.

Jesus comforts us when he says, “Surely, I am coming soon, bringing My reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds." We say, "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.!" Revelation 22:30

GOD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED

After allegations of Pastor Robert Morris’ mistreatment of women hit the news, his congregation at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, were left feeling disillusioned and brokenhearted. Known for his ministry of compassion, Max Lucado is stepping in as an interim teaching pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX to help bring healing.

He explains, “Scripture states that God is near the brokenhearted – there are ample numbers of brokenhearted people in this story. My desire is simply this—love God’s hurting people. I see this as an opportunity to do just that.”

Max is still a minister at Oak Hills Church where he has served the people for over 36 years since 1988. He will preach at both locations this fall. His role at Gateway is only in the interim teaching capacity, currently scheduled through the end of 2024 where he will have no leadership or administrative role. “I’m honored to serve both congregations where so many wonderful people attend,” Max says.

To purchase Max's book, What Happens Next, please visit his website at www.MaxLucado.com.