What is going to happen and How do we prepare?                                                                             And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.   Romans 13:1

WE ARE HIDDEN AND PROTECTED BY HIM:

• Psalm 17 – we are hidden under the shadow of His wings.
• Psalm 27 – we are hidden in the shelter of His tabernacle.
• Isaiah 49 – we are hidden in the shadow of His hand.
• Psalm 32  -God is our hiding place.
•  Colossians 3 – our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

“He hideth my life in the depths of His love, and covers me there with His hand.”  Fanny Crosby

  DON’S  COMMENTS:   Are we living in the “last days” described in Old Testament prophecy?  If yes, than what distinguishes today from previous history and how do we prepare for coming events?   Well, this subject is too big to properly address in this brief devotion and blog, but I will offer some key scripture that will hopefully peak your interest and motivate you to do some study on your own. 

Signs of the end times:   Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13, II Timothy 3

1. Wars and rumors of war in increasing intensity and frequency
2. Famines and earthquakes in increasing intensity and frequency
3. Increase and widespread hatred and persecution and killing of Christians even by their own families.
4. Society accepting and judging amoral sinful behavior as good and righteous behavior as evil
5. Degree of suffering and death worse than any other time in history – so bad that God will cut the times short, for the elect’s sake, so man will not be completely destroyed. (Mark 13:20)
6. Armies coming from all direction bent on destroying Jerusalem.
7. False Christs teaching lies that are more widely accepted than Christ’s
8. Majority will be selfish and love money more and have no self control without shame or conscience.

There is alot of Christian material available tied to scriptural references to latter day prophecy.  So much is confusing with conflicting opinions relating to those scriptures.  The best description of bible prophecy is this.  When looking at a distant mountain from the desert, it seems near and clear but details and appreciation of the mountain’s size is not possible at that distance.  An estimate of how far away it is, is not possible either.  However, the closer we get to the mountain’s base, the clearer view we get.  Prophecy is a lot like that.  As we get closer to Christ’s return and see more and more prophecy unfolding, it will become clearer what those prophecies mean and what their correct interpretation is.

So we need to be careful to not try and interpret them in too much detail, realizing we do not have insight sufficient to do so.  Rather, we are told what we should do and how we should use them.  So, instead of trying to explain or give details of my understanding of those prophecies, I will deal with subject of what scripture tells us to do in the meantime.

1. Matthew 24 gives us a general idea of how dangerous and deadly a time it will be but also that no-one knows when Christ will come. Only that  He will come to take His people before they are all destroyed by man’s hatred for them (Matthew 24:22). Likewise, the description of how He will return and how He will take his people is given in Matthew 24:30-31.  So much more describing that time and suffering is also given in Matthew 24, so encourage you to read closely the entire chapter. 

So what are we told to do in the meantime and how should we prepare in case we face that time before we die?  Will that preparation be of value even if we die before He returns?  Let’s try to address these questions for now:

1. Be alert of satan’s temptations and be ready for His return. Matthew 24:42-43

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”  1 Peter 5:8  “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

2. Be in an attitude of prayer throughout the day. Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving”                                                    1 Peter 4:7  “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
3. Be ready to share the reason for your hope and joy – especially during difficult times and situations. I Peter 3: 15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”. Romans 13:11“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
4. Be prepared to leave:  Our treasure and eternal home is not here but in heaven.  100 years from now what will matter most and who do we want to be with?  That is what needs to drive us specially knowing time is drawing short.  Luke 21:36  “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”    Matthew 6:19-20  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”                                                                                                                                              Also be ready to flee.  Matthew 24:15-22  “15“Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17“Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18“Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20“But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22“Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

 

The list of bullet points could go on for many more pages,  but let’s leave it at these for now.  If we look at how the first century Christians lived, we can learn a great deal about how we should live especially in the latter days.  They faced terrible life threatening persecution.  They were sought out by Romans and Jewish leaders alike.  They had to be ready to sacrifice wealth and possessions and even family and life in order to be faithful to Christ.

They did not become survivalists storing up food and water and weapons to ward off neighbors who would steal or beg for provision.  They were mobile enough to move or flee as God would lead them.  We are told not to put our hope and trust in this world during that time, but to be ready to flee as well as look for His redemptive return. There was a time to be bold in sharing the gospel and a time to flee persecution.  The catacombs of Rome were designed to be mausoleums but also became a hiding place for persecuted Christians during terrible time of Nero’s rule.  They became a close community of believers to share food and water as well as encourage each other and strengthen each other and support each other.  They worshiped often together as well.  They also suffered together.

So what does their example tells about how we should live, especially if we see more and more evidence of end time prophecy unfolding?   Our only hope of finishing well and remaining faithful is to draw closer to Christ in prayer and worship and praise.  To also be close with other believers and spend much time daily in His Word.  Also weigh the price of being a disciple and be ready to pay that price when required to.

It is often during times of hardship and pain we are drawn closer to Christ and gain strength and courage as we draw closer in fellowship with Him.  It is also during these times we become the most effective in witness and drawing others to accept Christ’s mercy and forgiveness.  Christ not only knocks on our heart’s door during such times but also on others through us.  Revelation 3:20  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

So here is the bottom line.  Do we want to be found faithful and finish well, either when we die or when Christ returns?  Than what we must do is the same no matter which comes first.

1. We need to make sure we have asked and received His forgiveness.
2. We need to walk daily with Him spending focused time in prayer and studying the Bible and fellowshipping with other Christians.
3. We need to be open and take opportunities to share the reason for our hope with others.
4. We must flee sin and seek help from Christ and from other Christians when we are weak.
5. We need to be alert to our weaknesses and satan’s temptations and threats and flee to Christ’s side for help and strength when we encounter them.
6. We need to make thought of and sense of Christ’s presence a part of our daily work and activities – noticing His hand at work in our surroundings and in lives of those we meet and interact with and be willing to share those observations with others.
7. We need to be ready and willing to sacrifice “what we cannot keep in order to receive what we cannot loose” Jim Elliot

 

Think about Christians, both past and present, who have been good examples to follow.  Things about what they said and did and showed – the way they lived and acted that made them stand out and make a positive impact on others, including you.  Also think about those who, now in Glory, who finished well.  How was their passing different?  They are the examples we need to notice and follow with increasing determination. I dare say they would have been the first to admit their weaknesses but also their surrender to and complete dependence on Christ’s wisdom and strength.    That is their secret and needs to be ours too.  

IT IS NOT SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO. WHAT HE’S DONE FOR OTHERS, HE DO FOR YOU.  WITH ARMS WIDE OPEN HE’LL PARDON YOU.  IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO.

I love this song and learned and enjoyed playing it on the piano when I was a young teen learning to play the piano.  I forgot that song along with many years of neglecting playing the piano but re-discovered it when I revisited piano playing and began playing during worship on Sunday mornings a few years ago.  It’s words are powerful and true and draw me closer to Him whenever I play or sing them.  I  hope they uplift and encourage you and draw you to Him as well.   Much is at stake and such blessing waiting to be received!

 

THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO HIDE – NO BETTER PLACE TO REST – NO BETTER PLACE TO LIVE THAN UNDER THE WINGS OF HIS LOVE AND MERCY!!  HE IS OUR HIDING PLACE!!