Lucado pointed to the formation of Israel as a nation in 1948 and said, “I just think something happened, a page was turned, some prophecies were fulfilled in that supernatural event that signaled that we have moved into the final chapter.”
Lucado does not take a firm view on any specific timeline for Jesus’ return but believes the restoration of Israel “is a significant moment” in prophetic history. Referring to Ezekiel 38 and 39, Lucado said, “It’s hard to ignore the fact that there is a prophecy that Israel, in the end times, will be surrounded by its enemies. And we see what’s happening even today, right?”
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Lucado encouraged pastors not to shy away from addressing difficult topics with their congregations. “I do think we’re doing our church a favor when we at least raise these questions,” he said. “And I think we don’t have to be dogmatic, but we do have to be deliberate and say, ‘Let’s as God’s people press into God’s Word and see if there’s something here that we can learn, if it can activate and animate a curiosity within us.’”
Regarding how he approached teaching his views on the end times to his church, Lucado said, “By the time I stand up at the church, I’ve already gone over this entire series with the elders.” He did not go through the series in as much detail with the elders as he did when he actually taught the church, but Lucado nevertheless walked through his points and asked them to “check me, test me, correct me.”
In the end, said Lucado, “All the elders asked me to do was say, ‘Would you present this as your point of view and not necessarily as the church’s?’” That was something he was happy to do. He encouraged pastors to avoid presenting their positions on such topics as though they have it “figured out” but also not to avoid difficult teachings.
“People love to be stimulated, to be challenged, to be led into a tough Scripture like Daniel 9 or Revelation 20,” Lucado said. “And they appreciate the pastor at least trying.”
