Pod Prep: 12-9-16
How To Prepare For The End Of The Age With Prophetic Insight And Wisdom
Preparing for the End Times requires balance and wisdom. What should a Christian be doing to get ready for the cataclysmic events preceding the end of this Age and the second coming of Christ? Looking at the decadence in the world it is easy to over react and think the end is very near. Some panic, and sell their homes, and move to the mountains or deserts assuming that they can’t be found. Some begin stock piling food and weapons. Are we supposed to turn and hide now?
Should we plan ahead for the future knowing the end is coming? See Matt 6:25. “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body what shall ye put on…” Some misunderstand this verse to say that we should NOT plan ahead or save for the future because of a deceptive peace and prosperity before the End time calamity that is coming soon! Are we also being lulled to sleep? Knowing the end of this age is coming soon, how we should plan ahead for the future?
A FALSE SENSE OF PEACE & PROSPERITY WILL BE PRESENT BEFORE THE END OF AGE HOLOCAUST
Jesus tells His disciples, that when the end of this evil age and the Messiah’s return occurs, that a false peace will prevail. Note Matt 24:37-39. The clear message is be ever ready for in an hour when you think not, it will happen. See Matt 24:42-44. If a cleric predicts a date in advance for Jesus’ triumphant coming then he almost guarantees that this is not the date. Any date that gets too much attention guarantees that God will NOT have the messiah return on that date. We all need to stay humble and appreciate the difficulty of predicting when Jesus will return to bring in paradise and the end of this evil age.
THE PROBLEMS WITH CRYING WOLF WOLF
Some people put off normal care of themselves. This is clearly a mistake. People should save for retirement and use appropriate dental care. Holocaust or not, we must precede, assuming we need to serve God and take care of ourselves and families long term. See Matt 24:46. We must faithfully continue to serve until God stops us. Those groups that try and pump members for money telling them the end is near are potentially doing spiritual harm. Some will get discouraged and burned out. One cannot stay in a sense of heightened alert continuously. Our task is more like a marathon run.
SHOULD WE NOT PLAN AHEAD, REALLY?
Should we plan ahead for the future or save for retirement? Does Matt 6:25 say we should not prepare or take care of ourselves and families? Better translations say it should read, take no ANXIOUS thought, according to the Greek. Jesus is telling his followers about Christian maturity. Christ is not saying make NO plans for the future. God knows we have certain physical needs. See Matt 6:31-33. He will take care of us but would expect one to do reasonable planning and actions as part of our daily living. This includes saving and taking care of our health.
Further, see Prov. 6:6-8 and 13:22 which tell us to work and plan. I Tim. 5:8 says a man who does not provide and care for his family is worse than a derelict. We must not be presumptuous in making plans for the future though. See James 4:13-15. However, never forget that spiritual not physical matters should always be our highest priority. See Matt 6:33. Be concerned primarily about growing spiritually and getting God’s laws into our hearts and let other items come as we trust God’s blessings.
GREAT SURPRISE! THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE IS COMING BACK WITH A VENGENCE
The entire world is in for a surprise. The empire that many thought history had forgotten is coming back. The empire that for many Europeans has never really died is returning suddenly. Note Rev. 17:8. It will be a wonder to the world. We must be prepared and not get caught up in the hype that will surround this charismatic dictator or King that is coming. The warning is in Rev 18:4-5. Daniel says that some of the called brethren will fall away. Note Dan 11:35. We must stay steady and alert to spiritual danger, decadence and deception. Note II Peter 2:19 and II Thess. 2:3-4, 10-11. The beast power in Europe, the King of the North ( north of Jerusalem ) will suddenly come into the Middle East, desecrate the Temple and fulfill the end of age prophecies before the second coming of Christ. Note Dan 11:36-38.
END OF AGE EVENTS COME LIKE A WHIRLWIND AND CAN BE COMPARED TO LIGHTENING WARFARE
We must stay spiritually ready for events could come at us with lightning speed. Note the King of the South comes at the King of North suddenly. Egypt, with the largest military in the Arab world is south of Jerusalem. This attack by the King of the South leads to a blitzkrieg like victory for the King of the North, the newly reconstituted Roman Empire. Note Dan 11: 40, 42. How can we stay ready? Is the current European unity starting to degenerate? Yet the future events will come at some point with lightning speed and catch many off guard. We need to plan for the future and stay Eveready.
Power pts.
1-Matt 24:37-39
2-Matt 24:46
3-Matt 6:25
4-Matt 6:31-33
5-I Tim. 5:8
6-II Thess. 2:3-4, 10-11
7-Rev. 17:8
8-Rev. 18:4-5
9-Dan. 11:35
10-Dan 11:36-38
11- Dan. 11: 40, 42
