There can be many questions about the “end times”. We hear about “the great tribulation”, “Judgment Day”, “the Antichrist”, but we are not 100% sure what it all means. There are many explanations on the internet, also when people think the end of the world will be etc. This can all lead to a lot of uncertainty and even fear.
How can we know if it’s the end times?
Jesus Himself said, “No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:36 (NLT). Of course, the Bible gives us certain signs that we can look for – we can read about them in the books of Revelation, Thessalonians, as well as in Daniel and several of the other books of the prophets. Jesus also gives us some signs to look for in the Gospels. But, no one can tell us exactly what is going to happen and when.
If we love Christ, the most important thing for us to know about the end times is that we have nothing to fear. (Luke 12:32; Hebrews 13:6.) We know that these events mean that we will finally be taken up to be with our Saviour for all eternity. That is the whole goal of our lives – we live for the day we will meet Him and be with Him forever! Instead of worrying and fearing, we can look forward to that day. That is the day we are waiting for, living for, longing for!
Jesus told us in Luke 21:28 (NLT) what we must do: “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” That is our hope and comfort and then we are not worried! We can find great peace in knowing that our salvation is near!
Be ready for the end times – always!
“Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 24:44 (CEV). We do not know if the end times will take place in our lifetime. We do not know if it is going to be in 100 years, 25 years, 10 years, or tomorrow. But if we love Jesus with our whole heart, we will use every moment of our time to live for Him.
We should not just start thinking about the end times and preparing ourselves when it looks as if we are living in the end times. We should live our whole lives preparing for the day when we finally get to meet our Lord and Saviour. It is the love of Jesus, who first loved us, that should drive us. (1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14.)
Do the will of the Father in heaven
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:3-4 (NIV). Jesus said He is there now, preparing a place for us. One day, we will join Him there for eternity!
But there is a way that we need to go to get there, and we know that way. Jesus is the Way. He showed us the way. And He told us that “not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. So that is the way to go - actively seeking and doing God’s will. And what is God’s will? That we do not knowingly sin.
Read more about what it means to do God’s will here: “If you love Me, keep My commandments”
In his letter to Timothy, Paul warned about the difficult times that would come in the last days. He wasn’t referring to disasters or times of great trouble. No, he describes these difficult times as a time when people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, unloving, disobedient, stubborn, and more. (2 Timothy 3:1-5.) That’s where the real danger is – living in such a way that we become one of those proud, unloving, disobedient people.
On the other hand, if we walk in the Spirit, we will not give in to what comes up from our sinful human nature. We will not give in to anger, worry, pride, and all the other things we are tempted to. (Galatians 5:16.) The Spirit will show us when these things come up in us. Then we can admit it, accept the truth about ourselves and overcome these things through Him!
How can we know that we’ll be ready when He comes?
If we are faithfully living for Jesus, then we don’t have to be afraid that we won’t be ready. We don’t need to think, “Do I have enough time left to get ready?” The only thing that is needed is that we’re faithful from now on. While a long life of faithfulness and preparation is the best, it’s also true that if we start now and we’re faithful to do God’s will from now on, then we will be along in the kingdom of heaven. Then we belong there.
“If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth. For your life on earth is done, and you have a secret life with Christ in God. At the coming of Christ who is our life, you will be seen with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 (BBE).
“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3 (NLT).
Our whole goal and the desire of our heart is to be like Him and with Him for eternity. It’s what we live for, to be with our beloved Saviour. We can truly lift up our heads and look forward to that day!