Preparing For The End Times - Rev. Grace Reyes
“And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for [a]all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, [b]pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
The storms referred to by Jesus in Matthew 24 have arrived, and the prophetic message now resonates with unprecedented intensity. God is calling His people to prepare for what lies ahead. The alarm is so significant that even those who do not follow God are sensing the urgency. What does this signify for believers? How should we respond? Where should we focus our efforts as we step into the new year?
1. Deepen Your Relationship with God
• Prayer and Meditation: Make time for daily prayer, seeking guidance, strength, and peace from God.
• Scripture Study: Regularly read and meditate on the Bible, especially passages related to faith, endurance, and hope
(e.g., Matthew 24, Revelation, Psalms).
• Repentance and Renewal: Reflect on your actions and seek forgiveness for sins, striving for spiritual purity and alignment with God's will.
2. Strengthen Your Faith
• Trust in God’s Plan: Focus on God’s sovereignty and promises, knowing He is in control regardless of worldly chaos.
• Develop Resilience: Strengthen your spiritual foundation to remain steadfast in the face of trials, as encouraged in James 1:2-4.
• Embrace Hope: Hold onto the promise of eternal life and God’s justice as outlined in Revelation 21:4.
3. Live a Life of Love and Service
• Serve Others: Follow Christ’s example by helping those in need, offering compassion, and being a light in times of darkness (Matthew 25:35-40).
• Build Community: Cultivate strong relationships within your faith community for mutual encouragement and support (Hebrews 10:24-25).
4. Remain Watchful and Obedient
• Be Alert: Stay aware of the signs of the times but avoid becoming consumed by fear or speculation (Matthew 24:42-44).
• Walk in Obedience: Live according to biblical principles, being a faithful steward of your time, resources, and relationships.
5. Cultivate Inner Peace
• Seek God’s Peace: Trust in the peace that surpasses understanding, which guards your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
• Practice Gratitude: Even in challenging times, give thanks and focus on the blessings and presence of God in your life.
6. Share the Gospel
• Spread Hope: Encourage others by sharing the message of salvation and the hope found in Christ.
• Lead by Example: Live in a way that reflects your faith, inspiring others to seek a relationship with God.
• Walk in Obedience:
• Simplify your lifestyle to reduce distractions, focusing on eternal priorities.
• Regularly practice acts of forgiveness and reconciliation, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 5:23-24).
A. Understanding the Nature of Spiritual Warfare
• The Reality of the Battle:
o Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness."
o Recognize that challenges in life may have spiritual underpinnings and require spiritual solutions.
• The Enemy's Tactics:
o Satan uses lies (John 8:44), fear (2 Timothy 1:7), and temptation (Matthew 4:1-11) to derail believers.
o Discern between physical, emotional, and spiritual attacks to address them effectively.
B. Putting on the Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes six pieces of spiritual armor, each with symbolic significance:
1. The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14):
o Truth holds everything together. Be rooted in God’s Word (John 17:17).
o Practice honesty and integrity to counteract deception.
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14):
o Righteousness protects the heart from sin’s corruption.
o Live a holy life, relying on Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15):
o Be ready to share the message of peace and salvation.
o Walk in confidence, knowing your foundation is secure in Christ.
4. The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16):
o Faith extinguishes doubts and spiritual attacks.
o Strengthen your trust in God by recalling His past faithfulness (Hebrews 11:1).
5. The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17):
o Protect your mind with the assurance of salvation.
o Meditate on scriptures that affirm your identity in Christ (Romans 8:1).
6. The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17):
o The Bible is your offensive weapon against the enemy.
o Study and memorize scripture to declare truth in challenging times (e.g., Matthew 4:4).
C. Cultivating a Lifestyle of Prayer
• Pray Persistently:
o Engage in daily prayer as a means to stay spiritually alert (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
o Include prayers for protection, discernment, and wisdom (James 1:5).
• Intercessory Prayer:
o Stand in the gap for others by praying against spiritual strongholds in their lives (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
o Join or form prayer groups to combat spiritual battles as a community.
D. Discerning and Resisting the Enemy
Test All Things:
Measure teachings, visions, or experiences against God’s Word (1 John 4:1)
• Resist Temptation:
Follow Jesus’ example in Matthew 4:1-11 by countering temptation with scripture.
• Stay Vigilant:
o Be sober-minded and alert, as the enemy prowls like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).
E. Fasting and Spiritual Discipline
• The Power of Fasting:
o Combine fasting with prayer for breakthrough in spiritual battles (Mark 9:29).
• Daily Discipline:
o Regularly practice confession, forgiveness, and submission to God’s will.