NAVIGATING THE END TIMES
Written by
Chukwumeka Orji
January 2024
From the scripture we understand that we are currently living in the Church age which began in the 1st Century AD after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This period in human history is also referred to as the last days according to Apostle Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:17-21 referencing Prophet Joel in Joel 2:28-32. Now, if the last days began in the 1st century AD with the early Church, you can now imagine where we are in this dispensation known as the Church age. The Church age, just like other dispensations or ages has a beginning and ending. From the scriptures, we understand that the Church age began with the early Church and will end with the end time Church. From the scriptures and unfolding events in our world today, I am convinced that we are counting down to the end of the Church age. From scriptural prophecies, we understand that the days we live in are days of darkness and distress but also of light amidst darkness and flourishing amidst calamities – what a contrast. Hence, we need to know what have been communicated in the scriptures concerning the days we live in and properly align ourselves. We also need to understand that end time prophecies are not meant to scare us but to help us align ourselves properly so as not to become victims but victorious. Notable among such prophecies are;
Matthew 24:11-14
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
2 Timothy 3: 1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
You would agree with me that the scriptures above clearly describe the days we live in. Wars and rumours of war, famine or economic recessions and crisis, plagues, natural disasters, tribulation, moral decadence, corruption, perversion, deception are indeed on the increase all over the world. We’re all witnessing the speedy evolvement of a new global political, economic and religious system or ideology. It’s important that we understand that prophetically, these have been programmed to be so, there’s nothing anyone can do to prevent or eradicate them. However, there are also divine provisions and responsibilities for God’s children in this period. Hence, we need to find out what they are in order to successfully navigate these days, living up to our responsibilities as believers (Luke 19:13, Matt. 5:13-16). We need to pay attention to the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25: 1- 13) and be among the 5 wise virgins that were ready upon the coming of the bridegroom. In case anyone reading this has not yet surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and received salvation, now is the time to do so, no more delay (Hebrew 2:3).
In my personal contemplation, I’ve been able to identify the following scriptural provisions among others, available for us, therefore, leveraging on them, I believe we will successfully navigate the days in which we live by the help of God.
1. Study of God’s Word
We’ve been told in Matthew 24:11 that one of the signs of the end of the age is that many false prophets shall rise and deceive many, hence the only antidote to deception these days is for us to know God’s Word for ourselves through study and meditation. Our spiritual understanding is enhanced when we meditate on God’s Word. God has already communicated all that we need for a victorious life and they are contained in His written Word the Bible, it’s therefore our responsibility to know, understand and apply them (2 Peter 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 1:2, 119:105, Proverbs 4:20-23).
2. Praying without ceasing
Prayer is a powerful kingdom principle through which we generate power to cause positive change. In prayer we commune and communicate with God, activate His power in us, receive direction and interventions in our affairs. The days we live in require us to be prayerful, individually, and corporately as we can see from the following scriptures (1 Thess. 5:1-10, 17,18, Mark 13:33-37).
3. Building our Faith
Faith is a potent force with which we overcome the challenges of life (1 John 5:4), it is therefore important that we build our faith. One of the ways to build our faith is by hearing, studying and meditating on God’s Word (Romans 10:17). One major weapon of the enemy these days is to attack the faith of many, so we need to be wise and refuse to stagger or be fearful (Luke 18:8, Romans 4:19-21, 2 Timothy 1:7).
4. Walking in the fear of God
The scriptures in Proverbs 3:7, Proverbs 8:13 admonish us that the fear of God is to hate and depart from evil. Walking in the fear of God implies living a life of reverence for God, living with the consciousness of His presence wherever we are hence making us do His will always. Furthermore, we need the help of the Spirit of God in order to walk in the fear of God as we can see from Isaiah 11:2, that one of the manifestations of the Spirit of God is the fear of God.
5. Maintaining and demonstrating our love for God
We’ve been told in Matthew 24:12 and 2 Timothy 3:4 that the love of many for God and the things of God will dwindle or decline and it’s already happening before our eyes. We need to repent and return to our first love (Revelation 2:4). We need to guard against this by always asking God to rekindle our love for Him as well as demonstrate our love through our obedience to His Word. We should not allow adverse circumstances to dampen our love for God (Romans 8: 35-37).
6. Fellowshipping with the brethren
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25)
As we can see from the above scripture, we’re admonished to belong to a local assembly of believers where we can maintain fellowship together. When we disconnect ourselves from corporate fellowship, we make ourselves vulnerable to satanic oppression and manipulation as well as miss out of the benefits of corporate fellowship as we can see from the following scriptures (Psalm 84:7, Obadiah 1:17, Hebrews 12:22-24)
7. Witnessing for the Lord till the end.
We have been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-20) and have been commissioned as witnesses for the Lord in our various spheres of influence (Acts 1:8). We therefore have to receive grace to continually live up to this responsibility till the end (Matthew 24:14)
It’s therefore my prayer that God will continue to uphold and empower us to remain steadfast unto the end in Jesus Mighty Name! Amen!