In my first message of this series, “Are You Ready? part 1”, I made some rather criticizing remarks about scholars who’ve spent vast amounts of time specifically on end-times prophecy.
We cannot afford to get distracted.
I’m not saying that it’s wrong to study the end-times, but I certainly don’t think it should ever be our main focus. Let’s suppose, for example, that Jesus’ returns next Tuesday at 6 am, sharp. For those scholars that have spent decades telling others that this would happen or that would happen and they were wrong, how could you begin to count the wasted hours of being misdirected? Not to mention the people that read their books and listened to their messages.
Do you see how a subject such as this, biblical as it is, can become a distraction? I think you can talk about the end-times without having a firm opinion on any of the main events. There is still a lot to be said about the end-times that is for our benefit but that doesn’t mean we have to have it figured out. Heck, we could talk about Heaven all day long and it wouldn’t get old for me, we’re told to talk about such things, but it really doesn’t matter to me what happens between now and then.
Just know that what God says will happen, happens.
I hope that this message (all 4 parts!) gave you a “bigger picture” about how God operates and great hope for His return. Based on the earlier passages of Scripture we can learn that God makes plans and they happen, make no mistake about it. This we can count on. If you study Revelation at all it’s not hard to see God working in the world today in a way that is setting the stage for prophesied events to happen. The Bible has a lot to say about the last days and here’s a good example:
2 Timothy 3: 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
If there’s one “message” that is emphatic, central and universal to the subject of last days/end times/any date in the future, it is this:
BE READY!!!
Luke 12: 35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Do you know what to do to be ready?
If at this point, you’re not sure what you should be doing to “be ready” or you just want to make sure you know or maybe you’re clueless. Please ask someone that you regard as godly and trusting and they may be able to offer some guidance. You can always ask the Lord and He will direct you. Lastly, you could reply to this message and we could discuss it. Either way, I would advise you to do all that you can to be ready. As they discovered in Noah’s day, just because it never rained doesn’t mean that it won’t!
Here’s more food for thought:
Revelation 21: 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
“Oh Lord, your magnificence is breathtaking…
You are so awesome and beautiful. I love to read your Word and marvel at the things you’ve done and plan to do. How can I ever thank you enough? Please help me to do that which you’d have me do. Help me to know you more so that I can be on the same page as you. I see your plans and I’d like to participate. Thank you for calling us to be your servants so that we can reside with you on that most glorious day. In Jesus’ name, amen!”