Prepare by Studying the Scriptures
As always, the written Word is our anchor and our rock-solid source of revelation. Since over 100 chapters in the Bible carry messages about the Last Days, we would be wise to study them. Those passages are there for a reason. Apparently, Jesus believes that His Church will need to know with an absolute assurance many vital things about the days ahead. Much has already been gathered by others and we can learn from them, but as we know, nothing takes the place of hearing for yourself “what the Spirit says to the churches.” There is so much that is still “hidden in plain sight” that will need study, unfolding events and revelation by the Holy Spirit to make known.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.
End Times Challenge
Jesus warned us repeatedly that the Last Days will be extremely deceptive times. This has already begun. Falsehood alaready fills the airways and the web. But, only the truths of scripture will prepare us to recognize and resist the lies that are soon coming.
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. Study the Bible!
There is no substitute for picking up the Bible and spending lots of time in it: reading it, marking it, taking notes on it, memorizing it for yourself, as well as by listening to good Bible teachers, going over it with friends and pouring through commentaries. You may say, “But that sounds like a lot of work!” Indeed, it is, but so is farming. Bread doesn’t show up on our tables by magic—it takes a lot of work to get seeds to the point of being sustenance. We are likewise going to have to bring the seed of God’s Word to the point of real sustenance in our lives, becoming workers who “rightly handle the word of truth.”
Fortunately, we don’t have to do this alone, or even as drudgery. The Holy Spirit wrote the Book and loves every word in it. He genuinely loves opening passages to our understanding and—if we are open to Him—He shares His joy with us, as He “guides into all truth.”[iii] Not only that, but Jesus is the Truth that Holy Spirit seeks to reveal through every passage. Scripture is, therefore, a life-saving connector to Jesus which also works as a life-line for pulling us away from wrong thoughts and actions (The "Big Five" Connecters to Jesus). Our lives may very well depend upon how well we know and believe the scriptures.
The truth is we will need to know the whole counsel of the Word of God and walk in it. It will never do to only focus on the Last Days’ texts. That’s because it is never enough just to seek information from the Bible. If transformation doesn’t also occur, deception will fill the void. Remember the Pharisees? They knew the scriptures better than anyone, but entirely misunderstood what God was doing in their day and even opposed the true believers. Their sin was being hypocritically judgmental. They judged without remembering mercy.
Please take this simple test: Have you forgiven absolutely everyone in your past and your present—from the heart? If you have then, you have gained a mercy-based way of looking at sinful humanity and are obedient to the clear command of Jesus in scripture. In that case, He will continue to reveal Himself and His will to you.[iv] This will also prepare you for the times of lawlessness and offense that are coming, because you already know how to join Jesus on the Mercy Seat interceding for sinners. If not, you are already deceived by being a hearer of the word, not a doer. You are at risk of being swept away by the flood of judgmental and condemning attitudes that will turn the world against Christians and even Christians against Christians. The web is already flooded with this by those who think they “know” the scriptures. Be on guard!
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. James 1:22 and 26
Next Way to Prepare
Prepare for Judging Prophecies Scripture is our unfailing guide, but it doesn’t cover all the details of upcoming events. Fortunately for us, the Lord is already raising up prophets with visions, dreams and even direct encounters with Jesus and the righteous angels so that we can have prophetic guidance in the days ahead. Unfortunately, the enemy is doing the same! All manner of misinformation, demonically inspired visions, rumors, and lies are being spread abroad in the land—just as Jesus foretold. We must never be discouraged that there are so many false prophets, but keep seeking out the true ones. Here are guidelines for better listening.
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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] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13
[iv] Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." John 14:21