Preparation for the end times
In his last hours as a man on earth, Jesus spoke the following words of comfort to his disciples: “Do not be afraid of your hearts. Believe in God and believe in me! In my father's house there are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have said to you, 'I go to prepare the place for you?' And when I go to prepare the place for you, I will come again and take you with me, so that you also may be where I am. And where I go, ye know the way.” (John 14:1-4)
The end time is NOW!
“But the end of all things is near. So now be prudent and sober for prayer.”
(1 Peter 4:7)
God calls to us: Prepare yourselves!
Time is advancing and people are still asleep, including Christians. We see the signs as described in Matthew 24 ( wars and rumors of wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes, false prophets, people claiming to be Jesus, abominable idolatry ). However, we close our eyes and senses. We see the signs as described by the prophets like Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, but we don't want to look or listen.
The word PREPARATION carries great urgency in God's heart at this time. God's people must prepare now to take His place at the Lord's side in the near future in the most dramatic days of all human history. The LORD wants to lead the church in the days of the great shaking in Jesus' ark so that many may be saved.
Jesus spoke of a great harvest at the end of days. The Apostle John described this in Revelation 7:9:
"Now I saw a huge crowd, so large that no one could count them. The people came from every nation, tribe and people; every language of the world was heard. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb. All had white robes and carrying palm branches in their hands."
But John also described the time of trouble (tribulation) through which we must go: "They come out of persecution, suffering and distress. In the blood of the Lamb they have washed their robes clean."
Satan, knowing God's purposes for the church, is trying to keep the church (believers) from their destiny. Everyone must prepare to recognize and repel these attacks of darkness. The church is about survival and fulfilling God's purposes for the benefit of others.
Peter said even then that our only chance is to keep watching and praying . We need to stay in touch with our God and listen to His voice, be guided and led, but most of all we need to turn to Him, repent and repent . We may ask Him for help , because He says, "Call on me in the day of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you shall honor me!" (Psalm 50:15) Yes, we should watch and pray so that we don't be tempted. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
(Mark 14:38).
We need to watch what is happening around us and compare it to the Word of God.
However, we are not only to watch and pray, but we are asked to understand the word exactly . God has given us spiritual armor (Ephesians 6) so that we can go into battle safe and armed.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you. Ask Jesus to show you the way . Call on God in times of need. He is your umbrella, your protection, your stronghold and your refuge. He doesn't leave any of his children alone. We must trust Him, as it says in Psalm 37:5 and 7: "Commit your life to the LORD and trust in him, he will make it right." Wait quietly and patiently for the LORD to intervene! Do not be indignant when people make evil plans and they succeed!” Remember, behind the evil people is our enemy Satan with his fallen angels (demons). These people often don't even know what they are doing. Forgive them no matter how much they hurt you.
There is much to say about this end time, but there is also much to tell about the time after. We see that the time of trouble will not last long and that at the end our reward awaits. We will stand before God's throne and worship Him. Jesus will rule the new earth and we will be a part of this new earth. There are so many beautiful things to look forward to, so let's start praising and praising God today, thanking Him and His Son Jesus our Savior, and letting the Holy Spirit re-equip us day by day
The Spiritual Warfare and Armor of the Christian
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Otherwise, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his strength.
11 Put on the full armor of God, that ye may stand firm against the crafts of the devil;
12 For our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the dominions, against the powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual [powers] of wickedness in the heavenly [regions].
13 Therefore take up all the armor of God, that in the day of evil you may resist and, having done everything well, you may stand your ground.
14 Stand firm therefore, your loins girded with truth, and clothed in the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and shod their feet with a readiness [to testify] to the gospel of peace.
16 But above all take hold of the shield of faith, with which you can quench all fiery arrows of evil,
17 and take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and to that end watching with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18a; Schl)
Psalm 91
Under God's protection
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Emergency Numbers
When you are sad
John 14
When you have sinned
Psalm 51
If you are worried
Matthew 6: 9-16
When the world seems stronger than God
Psalm 90
When you're alone and scared
Psalm 23
When you get bitter and cynical
1 Corinthians 13
When you're down
Psalm 27
When people seem ruthless
John 15
In danger
Psalm 91
For renewed momentum in faith
Hebrews 11
To find out how to get on well with others
Romans 12
Guide for times of crisis
Hiking Backpack
Just as the Israelites had to leave Egypt with Moses back then, we too must be ready to grab our bags and go with Jesus at the command of the LORD. Is your backpack already packed? How prepared are you when it comes to self-care and self-protection? The link to the federal government's emergency luggage will help you with your planning.
