St Helen's Sunday talks podcast St Helen's Bishopsgate

No one likes spoilers, but sometimes it can help to see where things are going in order to keep going to the end. The final chapters of Daniel show that the future is a book that God has written, and its end is designed to help us to stand firm through whatever comes our way.

In these final chapters of Judges we see the catastrophe that follows when people do what is right in their own eyes and there is no deliverer. At the same time, we sense the kind of deliverer that is so desperately needed.

What do we need to know about the end of the world? Jesus wants us to understand what to expect while we wait for his return, so that we aren’t led astray or alarmed, but instead endure to the end, living as faithful and fruitful disciples.

“It’s not the end of the world! Or is it?” In his kindness, Jesus gives us great clarity to look at the world in labour and understand the times before Jesus returns. It won’t be easy, but knowing why things are the way they are certainly helps.

We can often wonder what God is doing, questioning whether he has failed to fulfil his promises. That was the question of Daniel’s readers, as they faced centuries of persecution. But God hadn’t failed them; he remained true to his promise. And, as Daniel 9 shows us, God is doing far more than they realised.

What happens when a society turns away from the LORD? Judges 17–18 shows us the consequences when everyone does what is right in their own eyes.