Are we looking to the skies, longing for the return of Jesus with power? Is the cry of our hearts: “Come, Lord Jesus!” or is it, “Just let me indulge my flesh a little longer, then I’ll repent.” Will the events of the end of the age strike us with hope and joy, or dread?
As we walk through Luke 21 and even similar passages found in Matthew 24, notice how Jesus not only gives us signs of the age, but He focuses on how we should respond. The things He tells us in advance are meant to produce the proper response in us. Our response to His Word should always lead us toward repentance and holiness. In the same Spirit, Joel, Paul, John, and Peter encourage us to prepare ourselves for the end of the age.
Let’s assume for a moment that these are the end times. What then? How should a Christian respond? Fortunately, Peter gives us a straightforward answer to this question.
“But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish. Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God,” 2 Peter 3:10-11
As Peter sees it, end-time Christians are called to do one thing: they are to practice holiness and do good to others wherever and whenever they can. They are supposed to work the works of God “while it is day” (John 9:4).
The book of Revelation lifts off the veil of coming events even further and speaks of a wedding and a bride who had made herself ready.
“Let us rejoice and exalt him and give him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come. And his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, shining bright and clear, has been given to her to wear, and the fine linen represents the righteous deeds of his holy believers.”
Revelation 19:7-8 TPT
We, the church are the bride that must make herself ready! We must not find ourselves asleep or even in the bed with other lovers. Our proper response is to draw near to God as James states so clearly!
“So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.” James 4:7-8 TPT
QUESTIONS:
1. Read Luke 21 and Matthew 24, highlighting the signs of the age as well as how we are to prepare.
2. Can you easily rejoice while saying, Come Lord Jesus? Or, do you find yourself fearing His coming? Why?
3. How is God stirring your heart personally? Are there areas in your life that you can see the Lord is ready to address? Sin? Compromise? Drawing near to God requires you to move away from other things? What would that be?
