We cannot deny the war that's currently happening in the Middle East will likely have a chain reaction in the rest of the world. In other words, it's going to spread like wildfire. In short, the world is at war!
When you see what's happening in Israel and the surrounding nations, and it's happening like never before seen in the past fifty years, then you can't help but to take note. Why? Because Israel is like a time clock. The clock is ticking!
One of the biblical ways how the Lord reveals the times and seasons is through the events that are happening in this world.
So, in a perilous time like this, how do you (as His people) respond and prepare yourselves?
Of course, you can pray. Pray for the nations that He has put in your hearts to pray for. And never cease praying.
Let's go to what Jesus has said in the Scripture regarding the time and season, particularly the last days.
In Mark 13:28-30 (NKJV), He said: "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near - at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."
In Mark 13:32-34 (NKJV), He said further: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch."
In Mark 13:35-37 (NKJV), He then said: "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
So, this is the key word now: "Watch!"
The word 'watch' here in Greek is 'gregoreo'. It can mean any of these: 'Be vigilant, be watchful, be alert, to take heed, to keep awake, be on guard, be discerning'.
Even though different believers and Bible scholars may differ on the events leading to Jesus' coming, and what must happen first before Jesus returns, no one can deny that Jesus is coming soon! How soon is soon? I would say looking at the events happening in the world nowadays, the time is near!
I'm going to show you five ways to respond and prepare in a time like this:
1. Be on guard and be discerning
In Mark 13:5-8 (NKJV), Jesus said: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows."
In Mark 13:21-23 (NKJV), Jesus said: "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand."
In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NKJV), the apostle Paul wrote: 'Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.'
In all the Bible verses you've read here, the warning of the Scripture is consistent, and that is to be on guard and be discerning.
2. Don't lose hope
In Titus 2:11-13 (NKJV), the apostle Paul wrote: 'For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ...'
The apostle Paul reminded us that Jesus' first coming brought salvation, and he also instructed us to live soberly, live righteously, and live a godly life in this present age.
And see the words 'blessed hope'? What is this 'blessed hope'? The expectation of Jesus returning and receiving us. That is the blessed hope!
3. Encourage one another
In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (NKJV), the apostle Paul wrote: 'For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.'
You see, the promise that the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout in 1 Thessalonians 4 here is followed by this command to comfort one another, or in other words, to encourage one another.
4. Keep doing what God has asked you to do
Whatever vision, mission, and purpose that the Lord has spoken for you to be and to do, keep doing it. Yes, in each time and season, keep doing it. At different junctures of your life, the Lord may re-strategize you, and the Lord may re-direct you. Your part is to follow Him. Be led by His Spirit.
In Mark 13:7-10 (NKJV), Jesus said: "But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations."
The good news of the Lord Jesus Christ and of His kingdom must first be preached to all the nations, and then the end will come. This is God's commission and mandate for each of us as a believer of the Lord. You see, Jesus warned of troubling events as we near the end of the age, and that includes the persecution of believers. But Jesus also added that nothing, not even persecution, should distract us from this one essential thing, that is to continue to preach the gospel to every tribe and tongue.
In Acts 1:8 (NKJV), Jesus said: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
5. Look up!
Look up to Him and His Word! Do not let your eyes depart from looking to Him and His Word! Be vigilant and be ready, as if the Day is today! Turn away from your sins. Clear what needs to clear in your life. Don't delay, people! Cleanse your heart. Cleanse your hands.
In Psalm 24:1-6 (NKJV), David wrote: 'The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.'
In Psalm 24:7-10 (NKJV), David wrote: 'Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.'
