End Times: Be Watching, Be Ready, Be Doing!

Every direction you look today, prophetic shockwaves are shaking the world. Wars and political uprisings, climate changes and natural disasters, fierce cultural wars between competing worldviews—all these are unmistakable signs of the times.

These trends should be no surprise to those who study the prophetic Scriptures. Jesus told His disciples the End Times would be marked by clear signposts. He chastised the religious leaders of His day for knowing how to predict tomorrow’s weather report but not discerning “the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:1-3).

In Matthew 24, Jesus gave us three vital instructions on how to survive—and even thrive—in the End Times: be watching (v. 42), be ready (v. 44), and be doing (v. 46).

Be Watching

What should we be watching for? First, Jesus told His disciples the End Times would be marked by a variety of signposts affecting the natural order:

• Earthquakes (v. 7) as we’ve seen in Japan, Haiti, and China
• Famines (v. 7) as parts of Africa are experiencing
• Diseases and plagues (Luke 21:11) such as the HIV virus and new forms of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics
• Turmoil of the sea and waves (Luke 21:25) as we’ve seen in the Pacific rim tsunamis

Today the earth is experiencing unprecedented turmoil. Devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, and famines are clear prophetic shockwaves in the balance of nature. Paul said “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs” (Romans 8:22)—and the birth pangs are growing more intense each year.

In addition to these signposts in nature, today’s news headlines display a stunning list of political events that are fulfilling Bible prophecies:

Creation of the modern state of Israel. This incredible event in prophetic history occurred on May 14, 1948, when the modern state of Israel was born. This fulfilled God’s promise to restore a remnant of Jews to their homeland (Ezekiel 37:21). Against all odds from a human standpoint, the nation of Israel was reborn, and millions of people from all over the world have returned to stake their claim to their prophetic destiny.

Liberation of Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, from Gentile control. This amazing fulfillment of the prophetic Scriptures is foretold in Luke 21:24. After thousands of years of Gentile control, Jerusalem was captured by Israel in the Six Day War in 1967.

Jerusalem becoming the focal point of world attention. The Bible predicts a time when Jerusalem will be “surrounded by armies” (Luke 21:20, Zechariah 12:2-3).

Alignment of specific nations against Israel. Events in the Middle East today are not a matter of chance or happenstance. Hundreds of years before the time of Jesus, the prophet Ezekiel foretold how specific nations would align themselves against Israel in the End Times (Ezekiel 38-39). These alliances are forming at a rapid pace.

Be Ready

We can’t keep the prophetic storms from coming, but we can prepare ourselves spiritually for the days ahead. Jesus said we can prepare for the storms by obeying His Word so our house is built on a foundation of rock instead of sand (Matthew 7:24-27).

God is giving us—His people—an opportunity to shake ourselves with repentance and obedience, so He doesn’t have to shake us with judgment. This means ridding ourselves of secret sins and “unfruitful branches” in our lives (John 15:2).

But often we are shaken along with the world, because we’ve adopted its values instead of obeying the teachings of Scripture. Instead of shining as a light in the midst of darkness, we’ve blended in with the surrounding culture—a culture that is increasingly hostile to God.

There’s still time for the Body of Christ to regain its identity and spiritual authority. We must heed God’s instruction in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways.

If we do this, He has promised to forgive our sins and heal our land!

Be Doing

Just as Jesus was continually doing His “Father’s business” (Luke 2:49), this should be our diligent pursuit as we await His return (Matthew 24:46).

But sadly, many Believers have become so wrapped up with the cares of this life that they’ve lost sight of the prophetic signposts of Jesus’ soon return. Many of us have failed to realize this life is not even a blink of an eye compared to eternity.

What is our Father’s business? Above all, it’s to win SOULS! Our life should reflect the mission statement of Jesus: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Jesus specifically tied His Second Coming to our faithfulness in fulfilling the Great Commission: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). By faithfully Sowing Seeds into God’s Kingdom through Inspiration Ministries, you are partnering with us to preach the Gospel all over the world.

The Good News

Thankfully, we can be people who understand the times but don’t give in to fear or worry.

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Through Jesus, you can be an overcomer. Your troubles are only temporary. Your heartaches, disappointments, and miseries will pass away like “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

Remember: This world is not your home! The Bible says “our sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

So take heart. And as you see God’s prophetic signposts unfold in today’s headlines:

BE WATCHING. Pay close attention to events affecting Israel, God’s prophetic timepiece.

BE READY. Study and obey God’s Word so your spiritual foundation is strong and you’re prepared to meet the Lord.

BE DOING. Sow regular Seeds for Souls.

Together, let’s be about the Father’s business, and take action where He has called us to.

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