The End: Preparing for the End Times

The End 2

Preparing for the End Times

by Daniel Carandang

The 18^th year is a big deal for most girls. Once their age becomes the big 1-8, they become giddy and excited for their debuts. Debuts are considered as special rites of passage for most girls and as much as possible, debutantes want it to be special. Months before the special day, everyone becomes busy as bees. Every little detail is organized. From the decorations to the color of the dress, everything must be ready in order to assure a magical day for the debutante.

Similar to getting ready for a debut, we must be prepared for Jesus’ return.

Because He will return.

He will.

“But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really slow about His promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”

2 Peter 3:8-9

First, we have to accept His promise that He will return. Second, some of us are probably impatient, wondering what’s taking God so long. As it was said in the verse, the Lord is merely giving us more time to get our acts together before He returns. He loves us and He wants all of us to be saved.

While we’re waiting for His return, we must make every effort to remain blameless and righteous in His eyes.

How?

1.       Live Holy and Godly Lives

“Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy and godly lives you should be living!”

2 Peter 3:11

‘I should be holy and godly ALL THE TIME? But it’s not easy!’

That’s right. Being the sinful people we are, living righteous lives proves to be a struggle. But that doesn’t give us the reason to allow the Devil to win. We should at least make every effort to live our lives according to God’s will. Be on guard!

 Of course, we can’t do this alone.

That’s why God sent us a helper: the Holy Spirit.

“So you to live your according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is the opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other and your choices are never free from this conflict.”

Galatians 5:16-17

Let the Holy Spirit guide you! Whenever we are faced with situations that stir a battle between right and wrong, we should know which voice we should listen to. Rather than give in to the Devil’s seductive whispers, we should submit to the wise advice of the Spirit. Think cheating at school’s cool? Is so with the Devil, but not with the Holy Spirit.

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with God.”

2 Peter 3:14

Actions speak louder than words. We might declare out loud that we would live pure and blameless lives, but are we living it? Is there compromise in our lives?

Are we holding unto a relationship God is telling us to let go? Are we clutching on a bondage that we know perfectly well is causing us pain?

MAKE EVERY EFFORT!

We don’t just let the Devil win. We have to do something. Let us not be set apart from God because of the compromises we have.

2.       Go and make disciples!

Making disciples is the great commission Jesus left his disciples before He went home. It is the very same commission we, also His disciples, must fulfill. It's normal for us to become shy about it but let us remember that our friends and family deserve to know the TRUTH. 

Are we actively sharing about God to the people around us?

When we encounter an unforgettable event, say a party or a concert, the natural response is to TELL OTHERS. So, why not tell others of our encounter with God?

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

3.       Grow deeper in your relationship with God

¹⁷ Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. ¹⁸ But grow in the graceand knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Peter 3:17-18

Get to know more of the Father who loves you. Remember, God craves your attention and He wants you to enjoy your relationship with Him while you wait for His return. He is looking forward to see all His sons and daughters once everything is done in this Earth. Rather than spend the time partying, we should prepare ourselves by leaning unto Him till the last second.

³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3

Live for where you are going and not for where you are now. J

Brace yourselves! Are you ready for the END?

The End: The End Times

The End 1

The End Times

By Daniel Carandang

The end times is no doubt a hot topic these days. There are songs and movies dedicated to the so-called end  of the days. Almost everyone is interested to learn the mystery of the grand finale. There are already various theories to how this world will come to an end.

Meteor hitting the earth?

Ground breaking into two, swallowing everyone?

A zombie apocalypse? (Most intriguing!)

We are also familiar with 'end of the world' claims. According to the Mayan Calendar, the end of the world will happen on the December 21, 2012. So much for Christmas! :(

Remember the news of Harold Camping predicting the return of Jesus, not once, but thrice? His most infamous prediction was that of judgement day happening on May 21, 2012. His followers immediately believed and sold their possessions in order to create fliers announcing the 'end of the world.' But May 21 passed and nothing happened. Camping announced that there was some sort of spiritual intervention and proclaimed that judgement day had been moved to October 21.

It sounds silly but these predictions are happening worldwide. The end of the world's date has been predicted for almost 155 times!

There are two unhealthy responses to this issue:

1. Obsession: Some of us are really desperate to know when will the end come. We use all means that can aid use in predicting the future.

2. Apathy: we might not be that interested. So the end of the world is near? So be it. The phrase party like it's the end of the world becomes a reality. Since everything will be gone, why worry now when you can eat, drink and be merry?

Let's think about it. We can't respond just like that.

Why?

Because JESUS WILL COME BACK! :)

Yes, you read right. Jesus will come back.

⁷ “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

Revelation 22:7

¹² “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Revelation 22:12

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20

The book of Revelation, written by Apostle John, is filled with glimpses of the future. Jesus' assurance of His return was repeated thrice in chapter 22.

Jesus fulfills His promises. His return is one promise He is absolutely sure to fulfill!

How are we to prepare?

"You also must be ready ALL the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected."

Matthew 24;44

BE READY ALL THE TIME!

In Matthew 24;36-40, Jesus tells his apostles that no one knows the exact date of His return. He likens it to the Great Flood experienced by Noah and his family. No one knew what was coming. As soon as Noah closed the ark, it just happened. With a blink of an eyes, everyone was swept away. The very same will occur when Jesus returns. It will be UNEXPECTED.

Sadly, instead of being ready the right way, most people chose to enjoy it while it lasts. They party all night, drink as much as they can and basically enjoy because as they say 'life is short, enjoy it while you can.' Some are desperate to know when it'll end so they would have an idea of the expiration date of the partying days.

It doesn't work that way.

In the Bible, God has laid out signs through John. These signs will point towards the end.

1. There will be FALSE TEACHERS (Matt. 24:4-5)

We live in a world filled with false teachers polluting the minds of our fellowmen. Near the end, more will come. More will claim that they are Jesus. the Messiah. Sadly, a large number will also believe in them and will be led astray.

2. There will be wars and rumors of wars (Matt. 24:6-7)

As of today, we have heard news of wars. Most of these battles involve God's chosen nation, Israel. We are no stranger to wars as our nations have faced multiple battles such as World Wars 1 and 2, the Cold War, etc.

3. Strange Natural Occurrences (Matt. 24:7-8)

Out of season storms and famines are no longer new to us. The intensity of the sun's heat can be sometimes unbelievable. It's also evident that natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis are becoming more alarmingly frequent than before.

All of these are described as BIRTH PAINS. When a pregnant woman is in labor, the contractions she experiences become more frequent and painful as the nearing of the birth arrives. This is similar to the end. Disasters will become more frequent and more tragic as we come closer to the grand finale.

4. Christians persecuted (Matt. 24:9-11)

Those who proclaim their allegiance to God are pursued, arrested and eventually, killed for their faith. Such is happening in countries such Saudi Arabia and in some regions of North Africa, where Muslims hunt down Christians. In some countries, followers of Christ are forced to meet and worship in secret in order to avoid arrest. 

5. The Gospel PREACHED all over the world (Matt. 24:14)

EVERYONE will hear the Gospel.Before, this idea was unthinkable. But now, with the Internet and Media, sharing has never been easier. There have also been instances when Jesus appears to unreached tribes and unbelievers for them to believe.

The end can happen any time. WE HAVE TO BE READY!

"So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming."

Matthew 24:12

BE READY!

"But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day."

2 Peter 3:8

The unthinkable can happen in just ONE DAY!

Why should we look forward to it?

- Those who believe in Christ and faithfully waited His return will be 'snatched' or taken away by Jesus in an instant. They will not have to go through the 7-year Tribulation, where those who witnessed their disappearance and believed in the reality of Jesus would have to endure seven years of persecution for their new found faith.

^"28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

Hebrews 9:28

- When we are back in the arms of our Father, there will be no more pain nor suffering. Only the joy of serving the One who created us all.

^"4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:4

Always keep in mind that the greatest reward we will receive when we come home in the end...

IS JESUS :)

Brace yourselves! Are you ready for the END?