Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:9-13
Eschatology and end times debates are rising everywhere. Many are making predictions and analysis of the current events happening and likening them to the ‘end times’. Plus the ‘rapture’ doctrine is often trotted out for more debate. Personally I refuse to get into any of it with others. The future is not in my hands. What is my responsibility? Now. The Present. Our curiousness will always want to know … what’s next, usually at the expense of the present. Many will debate and consume a lot of eschatology content trying feverishly to find the ‘correct’ understanding. What about what the Lord wants them to do right now? What about today’s assignment from the Lord? What about listening to the Holy Spirit’s instructions to you for today? What about being faithful with the day’s divine appointments that He has set for you?
How would one ‘endure to the end’ of anything without being faithful in the ‘now’? We forget the ministry we are first called to… which is to Him. THEN what He gives us to do with others AFTER we have spent time in ministry to Him, that becomes our horizontal ministry to others BY His direction and not from our good ideas. Those that stay close to Him, and ministering to Him, will be the ones He will actually share His heart and understanding. His secrets are told to those whom He can trust. I think of Anna in Luke chapter 2. I think of David, and Samuel in the old testament. These were individuals who spent time focusing on ministry TO the Lord.
What good is it to argue ‘end times’ timing and events if you aren’t being led by the Spirit … presently? All the questions about the different eschatology models are mute points if one isn’t currently being led and obedient to the things the Holy Spirit is asking you to do concerning your spouse or family or friends. We can get so caught up in the ‘signs’ and what someone says is ‘prophetic fulfillment’ that we miss His whisper to us individually. So you really think you can naturally avoid anything out of your own understanding? Are you so prideful that you think you can out maneuver the coming events or crisis without the help from the Holy Spirit?
What does it matter if we are in currently in the ‘great tribulation’ or not —how does that change how you are to be listening to the Holy Spirit today? How would that change what you would be doing? Would you make plans to prepare without the Holy Spirit’s guidance? The key to making it all the way to OUR end … and being found ‘faithful’… would be our daily obedience to the instructions that the Holy Spirit is giving us. One can prepare all they want but what if God has set your ‘end’ to be today, or tomorrow? How important are His instructions to us today? Is your faith in Him or in your ability to navigate situations?
Granted… I’m not blind to all the goings on in the world. In fact, I’m pretty aware, which immediately forces me to ask the Holy Spirit what I should be doing RIGHT NOW! It seems to me that things are REALLY speeding up in all sorts of ways, which would make our obedience to Him all the more urgent. Being able to hear His Voice clearly and quickly followed by immediate obedience will become the greatest ability one can have … especially in crisis and danger.
So how well do you now in crisis situations being able to hear His Voice and instructions in that moment? Maybe we all should be working on that skill.