Do we live in the last days? I believe so. We have seen many of the signs that the Bible connects with the last days since the beginning of the church era, but now we see them happening at the same time. And don’t forget the many ancient prophecies concerning Israel that are coming to pass in our day. Israel is God’s timepiece.
Everybody watched the events in the US (and elsewhere) the last few days. The unfortunate death of a man in police custody sparked widespread riots, not only in the USA but also in other nations. The rioting that brought with it mayhem, looting and destruction took on a life of its own that has nothing to do with the event that triggered it. So much is evident; there is neither rhyme nor reason why that incident should be grieved with looting and destruction. Dark forces that work behind the scenes took advantage of this tragedy to force their ideology on people that just want to live their lives in peace.
Add to the confusion the selective messaging of the media, the blatant deception, the fake news and the political bias, and you have a recipe for a full scale disaster. Needless to say, the media had long been taken over by people of ill intent to propagate a certain ideological narrative. Please do your own fact checking before believing anything that you see in the media.
The scenes that fill our screens touch our hearts, and awaken emotions that draw us into it, shaping our thoughts. This is where the enemy aims his fiery darts, and we must be careful to protect our hearts, for out of it flow the issues of life. (Proverbs 20:23) This is a moment in our history where the wheat is separated from the chaff, where it will be decided on which side of the fence we stand.
Emotions influence our worldview in a very powerful way, but, as believers, our opinions ought to be formed by God’s worldview as expressed in His Word. This is where discernment – the ability to accurately separate truth from deception – plays such an important role in our lives; truly a skill that we must master in these last days.
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:34-36
According to Strong’s Concordance, (Blue Letter Bible) the word care in verse 34 can also be translated as anxiety through the idea of distraction, and this is where the danger lies. The destructive behaviour of the world can be a force that derails us from the Master’s call.
Navigating through the distractions and pitfalls of life in a broken world is a real challenge, and the only way to make it through safely and successfully, is to keep your eye on the goal.
- Let love be the referee. God loved us while we were yet sinners, and that is the love that He poured out in our hearts. (Romans 5:5) This may be a tough one, but as disciples we have to follow the Master.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Matthew 5:46
- You always follow your eyes – you go where you are looking. Sharpen the vision of your purpose as a person and pursue it, for that is what you will be judged on as a believer. There is something that you must do with your faith and the skills that you have been blessed with.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
- Build your relationship with the Lord, for without Him you can do nothing. Invest in that relationship since your future is with Him, not in the world.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
- The Holy Spirit will tell you things to come; learn to recognize His voice and be quick to obey Him, even if it makes no sense. However, as the author of the Bible His directions will always be in line with the written Word. Don’t listen to “spiritual” people who are not in the Word.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13
- Always seek the truth in everything, whether spiritual or natural. Stand by it, defend it, and hold on to it. Only the truth sets us free. Contrary to the world’s trend of “my truth,” there is only one truth, no matter the circumstances or what is being discussed. Be prepared to pay a price though, because nothing is as offensive as the truth. Bear in mind that persecution has always been a normal experience for true Christians.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding. Proverbs 23:23
A mediocre, middle-of-the-road Christianity has no impact whatsoever on a radicalized society. Neither the world nor the true church has any use for lukewarm Christians, and it will be more so as things continue to unravel. Those outside of our fellowships are looking for true believers as the only beacons of hope; don’t hide your light under a bushel – your life is the light that others are yearning for.
Let us stand together and pray for one another that our faith will not fail when the tide turns against us. The Bible tells us over and over again that the last days will be rough, but with the warning we also have the promise that the Lord will never leave or forsake us; He will not leave us as orphans to fend for ourselves. We are joined to Him in a blood covenant; we are His beloved bride for whom He will come to take us to be with Him always.
Not everything that we are so busy with really matters, which is why Paul told us to free up some time to things of an eternal nature.
Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:14-16
I believe a new quality of Christianity will arise in the midst of the darkness that is falling around us. The world prepares us to expect a new normal, which really is a lesser normal than we were used to. However, since God knows how to turn bad into good, we prepare ourselves for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit everywhere. I have always believed that the church will end the way it began: in home fellowships – and greater glory!
What can you do to prepare for the new normal?
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**Interested in what the Bible has to say about the end times? Read also this and this
Read about when the Tribulation will begin here
