how do we prepare for the end times?

This is the final part of a five part series answering “how do we prepare for end times?” If you haven’t read the previous parts of this series, I urge you to do so before reading this one. We’re taking the long way around to answering the question that made itself the title of this series, and to fully understand the context and where I’m coming from, I encourage you to start from the beginning.

As for those who have read the rest of this series, I look forward to finishing with you in our final point and answer to our long-awaited question:

How Do We Prepare for the End Times?

I would like to repeat my preface from Part Four and remind you all that I’m not writing this series to prophecy or tell you what is going to happen, nor am I writing it to tell you that my perspectives and theories of Revelation are the correct ones with any dogmatic certainty*. I’m writing this to help us prepare for the return of our King and Messiah who will come as a thief in the night.

We don’t know the day nor the hour of His return, and as such we must prepare ourselves now to ensure we’re ready, whether He come tomorrow, four years from now, or a hundred years from now. I encourage you to read your Bibles and do your own research within them as you prepare.

*Don’t go running after blogs, YouTubes, television evangelists and whatever else for answers about Revelation until you have a solid grasp of the texts, as you’ll receive only more perspectives and theories of imperfect humanity. Even once you do have a solid grasp, continually read your Bible and use it as a microscope to analyze theories, and ready yourself for Yeshua’s return accordingly, and bear in mind Revelation is prophecy, and while we can theorize, we won’t know for certain until it’s finished and we look back on it.

Picking up right where I left off in Part Four: what is next in the timeline? According to Revelation 19, the next things to happen are largely all good: rejoicing, the marriage supper to the Lamb, then Yeshua’s return!

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
    for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute
    who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
— Revelation 19:1-2

Within this series we’ve now discussed who Israel is, what sins we need to immediately cut from our lives before He cuts us off from covenanting with Him, where we are in the timeline, and what is soon to come. We have yet to discuss what we need in order to equip ourselves to fight the good fight. We haven’t discussed how we, as the Bride, should become ready for the marriage supper. We know we don’t have a lot of time, especially compared to the entirety of history, so it’s safe to assume that if we haven’t already started preparing, we should as soon as we can. We need to be wise, stocking up on “oil” to be sure we’re ready when He returns to us.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Master, master, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
— Matthew 25:1-13

Now if we only had a list to get us started…

Step 1: Confess and repent.

This goes for believers and non-believers alike. We, as imperfect people, currently always have sins to turn away from, both intentional and unintentional. To believe Yeshua is our Messiah and putting our faith in Him is only the first step toward living a full and complete life. We must live by the rules set in place in the Torah, walking on the narrow road and binding His laws on our foreheads and hands. We need to constantly examine ourselves and our lifestyles, confessing our sins to Him, asking for His forgiveness, and turning away from them forever (this is both wisdom and true repentance). His grace covers us for our unintentional sins and He chooses to not see them, but should we decide we don’t need His gift of grace anymore and step off the path, do not think He will forget it. 

“I am YHVH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I YHVH your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
— Exodus 20:2-6

Step 2: Purge evil.

We need to rid ourselves, our lifestyles, and our homes of evil to ensure we continue to walk with Him. Walk through your house and get rid of things like bad books, decorations, clothing, food, movies, pictures, music, and games. Look at your bank account and consider what companies you’re supporting with your money. Think about it: what would Yeshua do? Would He keep a video game containing magic and elves, or throw it out according to Deuteronomy 18:10? Would He continue to use a company that takes advantage of someone with no other options on the other side of the earth? And would He fill His mind with music that is not edifying or discusses bad topics as if they’re good or even socially acceptable? If you’re ever on the fence about whether to cut something or not, leave it and pray about it: likelihood is He’ll convict you one way or another, but also consider:

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
— 1 Corinthians 10:23

Don’t think that you are alone as you purge the evil. Believers have been ridding their lives of evil for thousands of years, and it’s a good thing! 

And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of YHVH continued to increase and prevail mightily.
— Acts 19:19-20

Probably the most difficult thing will be filling the voids these procedures create. A few years back, my family decided to cut ties with the Star Wars franchise despite that we all enjoyed it. It had been a big part of my imagination and playing as a kid, and while we felt at peace about cutting it, it certainly left a hole that left my siblings and I restless for something to replace it. While this isn’t inherently dangerous, it sure can become so if you turn back, or if you fill the void with something equally bad. I will admit that many of the things you get rid of won’t have something good that can replace them to the same magnitude, in which case we have to remind ourselves that He is above those things. Do not make them an idol that you refuse to give up simply because you miss them, but also don’t feel as if you failed if you can’t find something that you enjoy in the same way to replace them. 

Cutting out bad music? Try telling your friends and seeing if they have suggestions that are good, or listen to podcasts, audio books, sermons, or Scripture instead.

Cutting out bad TV/movies? Again try seeing if friends and family have recommendations, or maybe pick up another hobby to fill that time.

Cutting out bad foods? Try looking up your desired recipe with “turkey” or “kosher” for a new, “clean” twist.

Cutting out bad clothing or decorations? Hit up your local estate sales, garage sales, and thrift stores for cost-effective, eco-friendly ways to refill your closet without fearing a company is taking your money while abusing someone else.

Cutting out bad companies? Research alternate options and look into their histories, morals, and principals. Many are just as bad, but that doesn’t meant they all are.

And if you’re scared to jump in all at once, try cutting the “cut-off offenses” first, gradually working down a list over a year to make sure you get everything, and see how God works in your life.

Step 3: Fill your lamps.

How well do you know your Bible? If you’ve never done it before, I highly recommend taking a pen, journal to write notes in, and your Bible, and reading through it as fast as you can while keeping up with life’s responsibilities. It may amaze you the kinds of things you’ll see! 

Back to the ten virgins:

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Master, master, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
— Matthew 25:1-13

Your knowledge of the Bible is your oil! How much do you have? Will you be scrambling for finals week when midnight hits and our Bridegroom returns? The time to study is now, while we still have time, “for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
— Luke 12:35-36Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
— Psalm 119:105

Step 4: Shine His light.