“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1Cor.2:9).
Making the statement: “We are living in the last days” often makes people very uncomfortable and so they choose to rather avoid the topic. I believe this reaction is because people don’t like change, they don’t know what to expect and they have only been made aware of the terrible things to come. My purpose with this post is to show that although great upheaval and tribulation is ahead of us, there are also awesome wonder and joy to come in these last days. I pray that this knowledge will enable us to no longer tremble in fear as we watch satan consolidate his rule over nations, a process evidenced by the global and uniform approach to the virus that was unleashed in 2019.
The coming events will be horrendous. The Word tells of wars, famine, pestilence and earthquakes that will kill many. Revelation 6 to 9 describe the events that would accompany the opening of the seals and the blowing of the trumpets. There is no way to soften these events. They spell doom and gloom. However, if we only focus on these events we overlook the wonderful things that will unfold during this time and in the time after the great tribulation.
In Joel 2 God promises us the outpouring of the early and the latter rain (verse 23) and the restoration of all that the locusts have destroyed (verses 4 and 25). These things are symbolic of blessings to come. In addition to material blessings there are also spiritual blessings: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28). Spiritual blessings are also promised to us by the mouth of Jesus, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12). The disciples of Jesus did not do anything greater than what He did so this promise is for His followers at the end of the age.
Prophet Isaiah describes the last days as follows: “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2). Meaning that the end time saints will shine like Moses did when he came down mount Sinai after spending 40 days with God (Exo.34:29). Isaiah's prophecy continues saying: “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory ….. and the days of your mourning shall be ended.” (Isa.60:18-20).
These prophecies fill one with joyful anticipation and wonder. In preparation for the days ahead let us read the end time prophecies described in the Books of Daniel, Matthew and Revelation and others to know what to expect. For us as individuals there is not much we can do to influence the flow of events. Our preparation should be to accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as Lord and Saviour in order to be safely positioned under the protective wing of the Most High Father when the prophesied events kick off in earnest.
(Next time I will focus on how to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour.)
MY PRAYER
Father AhaYah, we worship You and praise You for Your greatness and Your steadfast love for us. Thank you for Your Word that explains to us the events to expect as this age comes to a close. Father, please lead and guide each one of us to find that place of safety in You. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Aman.