Spiritual Preparation in the End of Days – A PRIMER:

Are we experiencing biblical end times right now? Many people, including myself, think so as they look around and tally up our current troubles; we just went through a deadly global pandemic, we're experiencing frequent weather-related dangers such as flooding and fire, economic meltdown, the emergences of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the rise of the beast system, and now and the human cost of war, as we see in Ukraine and finally the potential of the war ratcheting up in the middle east between Israel and its Muslim enemies becoming the Psalm 83 or Ezekiel 38 war. Remember, Israel is the hands of the end time clock. It all revolves around them.

Additionally, people notice how polarized society seems to be--brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, and racism abounds. What is right has now become wrong. We only have to scroll through social media to feel the hatred and bitterness that stain every platform.

The topic of the end times has been of deep interest to Christians since Christ himself walked the earth. Jesus warned the disciples about the end times, saying, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap, for it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may escape all that is about to happen and be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)

As people of faith, how will we behave during the end times? What is our role as Christians in this time of biblical fulfillment?

Becoming a "Spiritual Prepper":

I tell people that we are Christian Special Operators, just like the Navy SEALS or Army Delta Force. We must learn how to operate, survive, and even thrive with limited resources while in enemy territory. As mentioned during the introduction, I address a threefold approach to practical preparation in depth. For now, I want to touch on the most essential aspect of these—spiritual preparation.

Physical, mental, and Spiritual preparations, the most important is Spiritual Preparation.

So how do we prepare ourselves spiritually for these end days? Christ himself gave us a very clear directive in the verses just mentioned. He first warned of our attention being caught up in the wrong things: carousing, drunkenness, and anxiety. Jesus seems to be saying we will be caught unaware by the cataclysmic events preceding his return and notes the shock when we realize we have been focusing on the wrong things (he says the day will close upon us like "a trap.”)

We need to take this to heart as believers, staying watchful for the signs of the end of our time here on earth. Interestingly, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines watchfulness as "the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger." How apt for what we are discussing! The definition does not include being anxious.

Jesus warned us about staying away from activities that steal our watchfulness--too much frivolity and drink and, interestingly, anxiety. In an increasingly anxious world, Jesus warns us away from this stress--instead, we can infer, stay focused on him and the promises in the Bible for our everlasting life. The Merriam-Webster definition mentioned above does not assign a mood to watchfulness, so watchfulness does not--and should not--include anxiety.

Another clue to how we should conduct ourselves as we prepare for the end times leads us back to 2 Peter. "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat" (2 Peter 3:11-12).

Here we are again given the imagery of fire (the uptick in deadly forest fires in Hawaii has undoubtedly caused many to be on heightened alert). We are again given the idea that things will disappear--or melt in the heat--and in 2 Peter 3:10, remember, we are told things will be "laid bare." Not just the earth but everything done in it. God's judgment will be at hand.

How do we make these directives in 2 Peter and spoken by Jesus himself actionable in our modern lives?

First, remember something significant: if we are true believers, we will be okay. Christ died to give us eternal life with him! Even though the end times will be frightening, and we will no doubt see things that we cannot even imagine, we must live by faith, trusting in God's promises and the meaning of the resurrection. We will be fine when this earth passes away.

Living holy, godly lives means taking care of how we conduct ourselves each day. Think of those who, no matter how bad things get, rush to help others. Think of the IDF soldiers who rescued the hostages in the various locations around Israel. They were living out John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." They not only laid down their lives but laid them down for strangers.

This is genuinely godly behavior. Can we be brave and godly in our lives, protecting the vulnerable, such as the unborn and older adults, and helping neighbors and friends when we can, expecting nothing in return? Is it possible to give more of yourself to others in Christ's name — not just your money but your time and your heart?

Yes! By all means, we will have to give more, and that "more" could be our lives! Let's look at the gospel of Matthew, where he reveals that there is a time coming when we all have to make life-or-death choices regarding our faith.

Matthew 10:18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Based on this scripture alone, we must be spiritually strong to stand for Christ. Let's begin training to become Spiritually strong Special Forces for Christ!

In closing, we must remain watchful and prayerful, as Jesus told us, and try to live more committed lives of faith while performing acts that bring honor to God; we are well on our way to respecting and loving our Lord, who dearly wants to be with us in heaven when it is time. Above all, trust in our shared faith and believe wholly and fervently in the promises of the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. We are beloved of Him, and He will take care of us throughout all eternity.

This is indeed the Good News and should banish all fear! More to come.

Michael