Prepare to Join the Rescue
Possibly, everyone’s first thought about the Last Days is how to either avoid or survive the Tribulation. Then, we may shift our focus to the lovely reality of Jesus being down here with us. Concern for the Great Harvest at the end of the age might be low on a lot of lists. We can be sure, however, that it’s high on the Lord’s. In fact, we’re told that the Lord is delaying His Return into order to save as many as possible before things come to a screeching halt. No one will make it through the Tribulation by trying to save themselves alone. Heartily joining this colossal, divine effort to save others is the way forward. Get ready for that now.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.
End Times Challenge
A crisis brings out the best in people and the worst. Some adopt the (not good) idea that it’s “every man for himself.” Others become true heroes. How can we prepare to be heroic?
Bridal Response
Step 1. Pray!
This must be repeated with every new challenge, because our usual reaction is to look to past experience and our abilities and say, “No way!” or try slugging it out bravely in our own strength. We all-too-easily forget that our strength is in Him, our hope is in Him—not in ourselves. So, if the Holy Spirit is making us aware (waking us up) to a fresh challenge, then the first thing the Lord wants us to do is cast that care on Jesus, because He cares for us enough to help us with it.[i] Pray, therefore, until fear and doubt fall away. Jesus is willing and able to help us with anything, that’s why He guarantees in scripture that if we call on Him, He will rescue/save/help us every time.[ii] How much do you have to call? Cry out in prayer until you receive confidence that He has heard you and the help is on the way.
Step 2. Love the Lost!
If all we truly care about is ourselves (and our small circle of loved ones), then that’s all we’ll care about. The terrible times that are coming will expose this as sin and refuse to reward it. According to Jesus, this kind of self-centered attempt to save our lives will guarantee our doom instead. Right after commanding us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (even through tough times), He sternly warned us that “whoever would save his life will lose it.”[iii] There simply is no safe way through these times except by becoming truly and fully Christian in our whole outlook. Even then, physical safety is not guaranteed, but if we seek first the King and His Kingdom, many of the other things we care about “will be added” to us.[iv]
One of the best ways to “seek first the kingdom of God” is to seek its advance upon the earth. Extending His kingdom’s reach is what Jesus is after.[v] He wants to save as many souls as He can before the Tribulation begins. Then, His plan is to work through those saved souls (that’s all of us) to save many more during the Tribulation. This is the Great Harvest at the End of the Age that He told us about through the parable in Matthew 13. His eyes have been on it for a long time! It’s time we resolutely got our eyes on it, too. There is nothing like having a purpose larger than oneself to make a person willing to sacrifice and fight for a good cause. If you don’t have a heart for the lost, repent for deadening the heart He gave you and pray that He will help you love the lost as He loves them. You need this as much as they need you to have it.
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38
Next Way to Prepare
Prepare by Prayer and Fasting From the teaching of Jesus about casting out spirits, we know that prayer and fasting are at times essential elements of spiritual power. We see this same dynamic combination taking place in the Early Church when they needed clear direction from the Lord. We will need both supernatural power and divine guidance, perhaps like never before, as we seek to navigate the treacherous currents of the dark days ahead. Indeed, from a certain perspective the Last Days are an impassioned prayer movement (“Come, Lord Jesus”) fueled by the power of an imposed fast—as famines sweep the earth. Practice now for what will be perfected later.
Free Downloads
Signs of the Second Coming (36-page eBook)
Signs of Christ's Return (2-page Handout)
Ways to Prepare (37-page eBook)
Endnotes
[i] Pride (in us) tries to find the answer to life’s challenges in us; humility casts all cares on the One who wants to help us: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
[ii] This promise is given numerous times in scripture. The Lord wants us to know His help is always available to anyone who calls on Him for anything—lavishly available (“bestowing His riches”). For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him: For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12-13
[iii] And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 9:23-25
[iv] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34
[v] The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9