A Skeptic's Question About Human Beans

“Just how long are the ‘last days’ supposed to last? … The Bible says that no one knows when the end will come, but then it gives some clues. And the clues it gives are all things that have happened since the dawn of human beans.”

Yes, the questioner did write “beans” instead of “beings,” revealing that he has a strange belief about where we sprouted from, or he’s a big Mr. Bean fan, or he’s just like the rest of us and makes mistakes when typing.

Human beings are prone to err, and the greatest error any of us can ever make is to be wrong about God. The religious leaders at the time of Christ made that mistake continually. They came to Jesus with questions for which they didn’t really want answers. Instead, their intent was to trick Him so that they could catch Him in His words. One such time was when they asked Him about the resurrection. They concocted a scenario in which a woman had seven husbands who died one after the other. Then they asked, “In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.” Jesus answered, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?” (See Mark 12:18-27 for the whole story.)

The same answer could be given to 90% of the questions asked by skeptics. According to the Bible, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10). So a professing atheist who has no fear of God also has no understanding at all of the character and power of God. Even those of us who know Him know only a tiny drop in an infinite ocean of His greatness. He is omnipresent--He dwells everywhere, filling the infinitude of space. Every tiny atom in the universe is displayed before Him. He is omnipotent--nothing is impossible for God. He is omniscient--seeing every thought of every human heart. These thoughts are too much for human brains that can barely juggle a few thoughts at at time, let alone comprehend the greatness of the God who gave us life.

Skeptics also don't know the Scriptures. Most of the verses cited in questions are read with an ignorance of corresponding verses to give them their biblical context.

So, in answer to the question: God’s timeframe is different than ours-- “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past . . .” (Psalm 90:4), and “ . . . with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Pet. 3:8). The Bible tells us that the “last days” began on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:17). We have been in the last days for two thousand years (not much in God’s timeframe). Most of the signs that the Bible speaks of have been around for many years; however, prophecies about the increase of travel and the increase of knowledge are far more evident in recent years. And, of course, the Jews obtaining Jerusalem in 1967 is the fulfillment that started the prophetic clock ticking. How long will the last days will last? God only knows . . . but we are certainly getting close to when the door of His mercy closes.