I’ve realized that while I am on the race I am going to be using this blog to share with you what I am learning and what God is teaching me, so I figured why not start now. The same subject has been coming up a lot lately in my life….which usually means God is trying to tell me something. The best way I process these things is by journaling and then writing blogs.
So here it is. I am very passionate about the end times and the second coming of Christ. I have very strong and sometimes unpopular beliefs about this subject as well…almost to the point where I cannot be convinced of anything else either way. I went to a Bible study a week ago and we studied Mark 13. Just a sidenote…Matthew 24 (which is basically the same as Mark 13) is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. So I was excited to see what these wise older women had to say about it. I learned pretty quickly that we didn’t share the same viewpoint, but I listened and took in all they said without sharing what was going on in my head. God taught me something huge. Despite the differences many believers have on when or how these things will take place, we need to be on guard and stay alert. The Bible study leader said something profound:
“Don’t speculate but watch.”
Those four words continued to speak to me throughout this past week.
In that study, I believe God revealed this purpose of sharing the gosepl to me:
“Tell others so that they can know Jesus- know hope in those days.
Only the wholehearted lover of Jesus will make it through those times.
Many are called but few are chosen. Sunday morning Christians won’t be enough.
Compartmentalized hearts won’t make it.”
I realized that I don’t need to spend my time defending my position on end-time theology or convince others why we’ll be on earth for the tribulation. Instead, I need to be sharing the hope that I have found in Jesus with those who have no hope and equipping others to be passionately in love with their Savior…SO that whether I am right or wrong, there is no room for doubt! No doubt that they will either be raptured or that they will be able to endure the terrible days of the tribulation because of the hope they have in Christ Jesus. So I am not concerned with the viewpoint people hold on the end-times…what I am concerned with is if they have an anchor of hope that will carry them through the hard times and persecutions that Jesus promises us and if they will have the faith to cling to what we cannot yet see but believe will come.
“Therefore, WATCH!”
After this revelation, I have heard an unusually large amount of people (referring to the end times) say, “I’m scared” All along the same lines of being unsure of what is to come and being unprepared for it. Something inside of me stirs when I hear this and I don’t always know how to respond. Before this week, I think I would have gone into all that I believe about Jesus’ second coming and probably bored everyone listening. But all I did was listen. Listen to those saying this, but also listen to the Holy Spirit. I know that Jesus has given us warnings and signs so that we can be prepared and ready. And I know that preparation and readiness only comes from resting in Him and growing in relationship with Him. And so when I hear someone say, “I’m scared,” all I can think to tell them is to rest in Jesus, grow a deeper intimacy with Jesus, pursure Him above all else, set your heart on eternity and things above. The thing is, we CANNOT know when Jesus is going to come back, but we can watch and be ready. I think that where there is preparation and trust, fear disappears. If we are confident in our identity and the calling on our life, we will be influencers rather than influenced in those days to come. I want to make it my purpose in life to grow deeper and deeper in intimacy with the Almighty GOD. I want to stand firm in the evil day, remaining in the strength of the Lord.
So to wrap up all of this that God was teaching me (and I’m sure he’s still teaching me), today I read this scripture…
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against the flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:10-18
