The End Is Near. How Are We To Live?

Dear Saints,

Even the unbelieving in Christ are asking the same question. Is the world coming to an end? What are we supposed to be doing, and how will we live?

 Continuing Covid-19’s devastation, natural disasters, wars and real threats of nuclear catastrophe, increased violence, etc., are causing people to ask, is the end here?

 

Have you considered that the Jewish people were scattered worldwide for thousands of years? They now exist since 1948 as a nation of Israel. This fulfills God’s promise to bring them back to His land. Israel as a country is very significant in God’s timeline.

 

Continuing our study of 1 Peter, apostle Peter states as follows:

 

“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”1 Peter 4:7-11.

 

YES, “The end of all things is at hand.” What does that mean? Jesus told us a great detail in Matthew 24. He promised He is coming back to earth from heaven to rule and reign as King of kings and judge of all.  Please read it. The book of Revelation is devoted to the end time. Please read it too.

 

Also, we can agree with the apostle Paul that this is where we are right now:

 

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. 

They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. New Living Translation.

 

The more important question is, how do we live in these end times? Peter spells it out for us as he wrote to the suffering pilgrims:

 

1. Be serious, alert/watchful in praying. The Amplified Bible says, “The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]  You would think Peter would have said, buy and stock up. We must be self-controlled and disciplined in praying because praying keeps us talking to our Abba Father when we may be afraid. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16. Praying to God whom you have not seen; and who knows all things don’t make sense. But that is the definition of faith, without which we cannot please God. Hebrews 11:6.

 

2. Loving one another fervently above all else because “love covers a multitude of sins.” It is not saying ignore sin in one another but give someone grace to come out of their sins as we pray for them and not shame them. We are accountable to each other to build us up in Christ and ready to meet Him soon. The world will know us by our love for one another and not just our speech. Do something for others. Love is a decision and an action. See James 2:14-26.

 

3. I am convicted on this issue of praying. We must observe, watch and pray for all things and always. It’s not a time to wing it and coast in our human wisdom and strength. It’s not a time to watch and criticize the politicians and every person doing wrong. It’s time to stop and pray. Lord, please help me to develop a good habit for praying always.

 

4. Be hospitable. Have people over to your house or apartment. We must share what we have. People will see our love when we care and especially break bread with them. When was the last time you had people over, not just for Thanksgiving dinner? Covid and “the science” would want to keep us from one another and people in general. Do not neglect gathering and fellowship with others. Hebrews 10:25.

 

5. Use your God-given gifts and talents to serve. If you don’t use your gifts now to bless our generation, when will you? Is it when it’s all over? Minister (serve) “as good steward of the manifold grace of God.” Are you a good steward? Please don’t bury your talent. Don’t compare yourself to others whom God has gifted differently. If you do, you will never accomplish anything for God. Be you, speak you and give you according to the ability God has supplied for His glory. Someone is waiting for you to introduce Christ’s love and the gospel to them. See the parable of Jesus on talents in Matthew 25:14-30.

 

6. God has gifted some of us to invent and create things that will bless the whole world. Pray and ask God to show you how to accomplish them. iPhone used to be an idea in Steve Jobs’ imagination. God is the one who gives wisdom and imaginations. Let us apply this truth even in our daily work and life.

 

7. In all we do in these last days, may our motives be pure, doing all things to the glory of God. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17.

 

8. We do not speculate and propose specific dates for the end and Christ’s return. That is none of our business. Any particular date of the end is false.

 

9. Apostle Peter wrote more than 2000 years ago. Are you probably asking how come the end has not come? His audience was waiting and expecting the soon return of Christ. God’s grace/patience is at work to save more people because God does not want any to perish - 2 Peter 3. But you must agree that we are closer to the end than 2000 years ago. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

 

10. Remember the people of Noah’s time? It took Noah about 75 to no more than 120 years to build the ark. The people laughed and mocked until the flood swept them away. It will end the same way this time, suddenly and by fire instead of flood - 2 Peter 3

 

Yes, the end is near. Christ could return right now. Are you ready for the end? The end is actually nearer than we think because God could call any of us home, even right now. No one knows when they will die. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Today is the day of salvation, a day to serve, rejoice, and be glad.

 

If you have not repented and asked Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and put your trust in His death, burial, and resurrection, you should do so now. Peter wrote to those who are “born again” by the Holy Spirit. Are you born again into a new spiritual nature? John 1:12 says those who believe and receive Jesus are God’s children. Are you a child of God, not just created by God, a church-goer, or don’t care about God?

 

If you believe the end is near, will you tell someone heading to hell about Christ? Please do so because you will give an account of those in your sphere of influence. Pray for them and speak as “the oracles of God” as if God speaks directly and graciously to people. Be specific and list people you will pray and speak to about their salvation in Christ. God answers specific prayers. Let us try it.

 

“10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

 

11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:10-13.

 Lord, thank you for your timely warning, and please continue to be gracious/patient with us to complete your assignment of making disciples and living righteously before the end. We look forward to your return, Jesus. Amen.