As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3 – NIV)

One question often asked these days besides, “Is there a God?” is the one asking if we are nearing the end of the world.

Even people who do not believe in God, in a supreme being, or do not put their trust in some other entity understand that we live in perilous times. Sure, these same folks aren’t always using the word “perilous” to describe present day conditions, but that doesn’t matter — some have a strong inkling that things today are just not quite right. Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, fires, famine, excessive heat, sandstorms, volcanic activity, and more are impacting the earth today.

Certainly, it seems that some of that concern centers on one area chiefly — global climate change a/k/a global warming.  Scan the internet, pick up your daily newspaper, or read almost any magazine and you’ll be under the distinct impression that the world is going through some very trying times. And, if you were to heed the warnings from environmental advocates such as Al Gore, you’d understand that we don’t have much time to do something about it.

I have nothing against those who want to be good stewards of this earth, but I believe another agenda can be found just below the surface. Namely, some of the leaders of the environmental movement seem to want to exert their control over mankind. Specifically, by measuring a person’s “carbon footprint” or judging how they use earth’s resources seems to be some of the ways that they are going about doing this.

Others have expressed alarm that the Mayan calendar, written many centuries ago, only goes through 2012. I’ve read that a Mayan prophet was said to have predicted that the earth will end on winter solstice of that year which is December 21, 2012. In other words, don’t bother to do your Christmas shopping that year!

I find it useless to engage in conversations that have little or no merit or distract people from what they really need to hear: God loves them, their sins separate them from Him, sinners (every person on earth) must realize that Jesus already paid the price for their sins, and that by asking for His forgiveness and restoration, communion with God will be restored.

Will the world end in 2012? Well it could.  But, we aren’t to concern ourselves with a date. Instead, in Matthew 25:13, Jesus said: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”  The only way we can truly watch is by having eyes that see and only those eyes opened up by God can truly comprehend the events of our day.

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“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

” ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

I am not a theologian, but there is one thing that I can say without a doubt about this passage — being properly prepared for a task at hand is essential. In this case, being prepared for the Lord’s imminent return is the most important thing you can do in this life.

The lamp represents God’s word (light) and God’s Spirit (oil) while the virgins are professed believers and the bridgegroom is Jesus Christ. Those who love the Lord will make certain that they are ready for His return, by reading their Bibles, praying, and watching (observing and understanding the events of this day as they unfold).

You cannot truly call yourself a Christian if you do not have communion with the One who made you — My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). Listening comes from reading God’s word and by allowing Him to speak to you through a particular passage. Sure, God can also speak to your heart throughout the day, but you must test that spirit by making sure what you hearing lines up with the word of God and is from God.

Most definitely, there are Christians in this world who have little to no access to the written word. Here in the US, we do have the word therefore, “…to whom much is given, from him much will be required…” (Luke 12:48)

How often should we read God’s word? More often than not! Of course, anyone can read the Bible, but only God can illuminate the text for clear understanding. Regular, consistent reading is a must — a chapter a day is a good place to begin.

I’m sharing this with everyone who has a heart for God and who wants to be prepared for what lies ahead. It doesn’t take much to realize that the world is in precarious shape and the church is collapsing under the assault.

We don’t have to be overwhelmed by the tide of evil now being lifted up before us. In fact, God will deliver us. Our duty is to stay in His will and we can only know His will by keeping our lamps trimmed and burning.

Don’t be like the five foolish virgins who realized after the fact that they needed to get prepared to meet the bridgegroom. In tht day many will say, “Lord, Lord” but He’ll say to them, “I never knew you.”

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Last weekend I had the pleasure in attending a prophecy conference which happened to be held at my church. Dr. David Hocking, whose Christian radio ministry Hope For Today is heard on radio stations across the US, was the speaker.

Over the years since I first came to the Lord in 1977, I have heard many different teachers and preachers expound on Biblical prophecy with some leaving me confused, bored, or otherwise in disagreement. I’ve heard preaching from post-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and even non-tribulation perspectives, but only came to know and accept pre-tribulation theology within the past year or so.

To say I wasn’t convinced of this particular time-line was an understatement — I was downright hostile to it! Thankfully, God revealed to me His plan for the last days through reading about Enoch and I understood that the bride will be caught up before the final seven year tribulation period kicks in.

Dr. Hocking explained prophecy from a pre-tribulation perspective with an emphasis on the nation and land of Israel. Despite the various and often polarizing teachings I have heard down through the years, I’ve always believed that God wasn’t through with Israel and that the Jews returning from exile to the land that He gave them were still his chosen people. The “replacement theology” permeating many churches today saying that God gave up on Israel in 70 A.D. is just wrong.

Dr. Hocking’s address for the Sunday services was in line with what he shared on Friday evening and Saturday morning, giving us ten reasons why Christians should support Israel in the last days:

1. The most mentioned subject in the Bible next to His own name is the name of Israel, mentioned 2576 times!
2. God has chosen Israel out of all nations — see Deuteronomy 7:6, His chose people.
3. God has identified Himself with her — “The God of Israel.”
4. God has a special love for her — see Jeremiah 31:3.
5. Because God has given her land that He calls His own.
6. God will never forsake her.
7. God will destroy all who come up against her.
8. Because God will restore her to the promised land.
9. God will come and dwell in her midst.
10. God has brought salvation to the whole world through her Messiah — Isaiah 53.

True, Israel is currently blinded to who the Messiah is but that blindness will be removed at the unveiling of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. For Christians, we should continue to pray for Israel, especially as pressure mounts for Israel to surrender some of her land, especially Jerusalem. Unfortunately, the political climate around the world is openly hostile to Israel, but that can also be a good thing — Jesus is near and all of Israel must cry out to Him.

But you, O Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,

I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:8-10, NIV)

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