Are you prepared for the End Times in line with The Word of God?

The End Times, this is a topic that has infatuated both born-again Christians and unbelievers alike for well over 2000 years now, and there are many Old Testament prophecies expound them.

Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

In this article we will be looking at what Jesus himself teaches us about the end times.

The writings of the gospels capture the words of Jesus when he was teaching the disciples about the Destruction of the Temple and the Signs of the End times. This can be read in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

Throughout the centuries since our Lord’s crucifixion, Christians have been convinced that the End Times is just around the corner. Even today many are convinced that we are living in the End Times right now almost to the point of focusing more on the ‘End Times’ than on Jesus himself. My dear brothers and sisters, this should not be! Nothing should distract us from our personal worship and fellowship with our Saviour.

Are the End Time signs important for Christians to know? Yes, they are!

Do we need to be aware of what is happening around us and across the world? Yes, we do!

But how should we do it?

The best place to find out how is to start with the words of Jesus himself. Let’s examine what our Lord taught on the ‘end of the age’ in Matthew 24. I believe that one of the most important verses on the Signs of the End Times is this one:

Matthew 24:36 (AMP)

“But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.

The Apostle Mark records this as well:

Mark 13:32 (NIV)

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

So, in the verses above Jesus tells us that no one knows when he will come again, only the Father knows and the end of our time will not happen until Jesus comes again!

There are so many verses in the Bible in which God tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything; this includes not worrying about when the end of the age will come; but I will only mention a few here.

Luke 21:34-35 (NIV)

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?”[Ps 118:6-7]

Now taking the words of Jesus a little further let’s move on to read what He tells us about being distracted by false prophets and messiahs.

Matthew 24:4-5 (NIV)

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

Matthew 24:24-25 (NIV)

24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

In the two verses above Jesus clearly warns us that in the end times many false prophets and messiahs will appear and will deceive many, even born-again Christians!

But even in all the furor that is going on around us today both in the world and even in the Church, the Lord’s message remains the same ‘do not worry.’ Carry on in your daily walk with him and continue to strengthen your relationship with Him.

In Matthew 24:3 the disciples asked Jesus when would the end of the age come and what would be the signs.

Matthew 24:3 (NIV)

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

This is what the Lord replies, these are the signs we need to look out for. Not so that we can worry or be so consumed by the end times that we forget the focal point of Christianity, which is our worship of Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour, but so that we are aware of what is happening around us so that we can pray accordingly and spiritually prepare ourselves accordingly. Our focus should not be on the end times event, but rather on the one who will sustain us in the end times, yes, Jesus himself, the only one by whose name we can be saved!

• We must not let ourselves be deceived as many false Messiahs will appear – vs 4 & 5.

• We will hear of wars and rumours of war – but don’t be alarmed – vs 6.

• Nation will rise against nation, there will be earthquakes and famines – vs 7.

• These signs are just the beginning - vs 8.

• Many will be persecuted and put to death and will be hated by everyone – vs 9.

• False prophets will appear and deceive many – vs 10.

• Wickedness will increase and the love of most will grow cold – vs 11.

• The false messiahs and prophets will perform great signs and wonders to deceive the Church – vs 24.

• There will be darkness over the world, no sunlight, moonlight or starlight – vs 29.

• The world will be in total sin as in the days of Noah – vs 38 & 39.

The Lord ends off this chapter by telling us that we must all keep watch and be ready at all times.

Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV)

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Luke tells us that there will be earthquakes and pestilences:

Luke 21:11 (AMP)

There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.

But in all these terrible times the Lord encourages us not to be concerned and gives us this promise:

Luke 21:18-19 (NIV)

18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

These are the things that Jesus told to the disciples personally and those of them that wrote the gospels and the other books of the Bible also made mention of the end times as well. Let’s have a look at some of these scriptures.

This is what Peter tells us:

1 Peter 4:7 (AMP)

The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]

In the verse above Peter tells us that in the end times we need to be sound-minded and self-controlled. The Spirit we received from God is not one of fear but of a sound-mind and self-control. We must not be overcome by fear and worry. The Apostle Paul confirms this in the following scripture:

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

Peter also tells us that in the end times many mockers and scoffers will appear. These are already amongst us and have been so for a number of years, prosperity preachers, so called dream interpreters, so called ‘Christian magicians and many more who by their self-motivated action and corruption of scripture are mocking God and leading many astray!

2 Peter 3:3 (NIV)

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

And furthermore, in this same chapter, Peter warns us that the Lord will come like a thief in the night, without notice. He exhorts us therefore to live holy and godly lies, entertaining no sin and to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him! We need to look forward to the end times and pray for the Lord’s coming.

2 Peter 3:10-14 (NIV)

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

The Apostle that has the most to say about the end times is Paul – filled with the Holy Spirit. So, let’s take a few of his scriptures and examine them.

In Romans 13 Paul tells us how we (the Church – born-again Christians) should be behaving:

Romans 13:11-14 (AMP)

11 Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]. 12 The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. 13 Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires.

The warnings in the Bible about the end times are there for the Church, each and every born-again Christian, to prepare ourselves for His coming and create an all-consuming doctrine around the event. We are warned so that we can pray and reach out ever more fervently to the lost. But we must ourselves be a lifestyle witness to the lost and be living righteous and holy lives in the Spirit.

In the above scriptures in Romans, Paul gives us some examples of how we should be living and how we shouldn’t be living.

How we should conduct ourselves:

• We should not be complacent in our relationships – with Jesus and with each other – we must be fully committed in all we do.

• We must shed all works of darkness (those things that are contrary to the Word) and put on the armour of light – God is light, in Him there is no darkness.

• We should be clothing ourselves with Jesus Christ – building and strengthening our relationship with Him by being doers of the Word and not just readers.

We should not be:

• Partying and getting drunk.

• Participating in sexual promiscuity of any kind.

• Acting irresponsibly.

• Quarreling amongst ourselves.

• Jealous of each other.

• Adopting the ways of the world.

Paul, in 1 Timothy tells us that in the end times many will grow cold and fall away. Let’s think about that, I believe he is saying that many who call themselves born-again Christians will grow cold in their faith and fall away!

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (AMP)

But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning],

What is even more interesting in the above two verses is the fact that this is what the Holy Spirit declares and the falling away will be due to demonic activity. Spiritual warfare should be part of our daily prayer lives, especially in the end times. Put on the full armour of God my dear brothers and sisters in Christ – and never take it off. Be prepared to fight in the Spirit. Remember the Lord’s words when he sent out the disciples for the first time: “Cast out demons and heal the sick!”

Our battle is not against flesh and blood!

Ephesians 6:12 (AMP)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

In 2 Timothy Paul tells us very clearly how people will behave and to keep away from them – many in the Church who call themselves Christians will be like this:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (AMP)

But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

In 2 Timothy 4 Paul tells us that people, yes people in the Church too, will not want to hear sound doctrine and the truth of the Bible but that they will only want to hear preaching that tickles their ears and makes them feel good and doesn’t challenge them to change to conform to the Word of God. They will follow the teachings of man to support their own deviances from the truth.

2 Timothy 4:3-5

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, 4 and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. 5 But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry.

This is happening in many Churches today and this has been so for many years. Stay away from the ‘get rich quick’ teachings of man! There is no better ‘richness’ for Christians than the plain truth of Jesus Christ and him crucified – be imitators of Christ!

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (AMP)

And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do]; 2 for I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection]. 3 I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them], 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:11 (AMP)

Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

There are many other scriptures both in the Old and New Testaments that tell us of the end times and the signs that will precede them. But in this article, I just wanted you, dear reader, to know how the Lord expects you to prepare yourself for His coming even if He doesn’t come in your lifetime. Please teach it to others especially to the ones who are near and dear to you and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
I pray in the Name of Jesus that from this day forward that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to be prepared for your coming, even if you do not appear in my lifetime. Lord by your Spirit help me to discern good from evil and not to succumb to the teachings of false prophets and messiahs. Help me to follow your Word in every way and I pray, Lord, that you would write your Word indelibly in my heart that I will not forget it and will be able to recognise false doctrine. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, I pray. Help my focus to remain on you Lord and help me to bring glory to the Name of Jesus and to be a blessing to this world. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Revelation 1:7-8 (NIV)

7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[Daniel 7:13]

and “every eye will see him,

even those who pierced him”;

and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[Zechariah 12:10]

So shall it be! Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”