How can we Prepare for the End Times?
After telling his disciples about the time of “great distress” that will come upon the earth, Jesus told the following parable:
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘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.’
10 “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.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25: 1-13)
The Foolish Virgins
Five of the virgins were not prepared for the possibility that the bridegroom might arrive later than expected. Jesus used this parable to warn his followers (the virgins) about the danger of not being prepared for the possibility that he (the bridegroom) might arrive later than they expect.
Today, there are many Christians who believe that Jesus will return to gather them (the rapture) before the Great Tribulation – so they are not making any preparations for the possibility that they will be here during the end of this age.
When they realize that Jesus hasn’t arrived at the time they expected, they will find themselves unprepared for the trials of the end times. Then they will become so busy during that time, they will risk missing the wedding banquet.
The Wise Virgins
Five of the virgins were prepared for the possibility that the bridegroom might arrive later than expected. Even though all ten of the virgins fell asleep, the five wise virgins had made sure that they were prepared for the delayed arrival of the bridegroom.
Today’s Christians (the faithful virgins) need to be prepared for the arrival of Jesus Christ (the bridegroom). That includes being prepared for the possibility that Jesus might not gather his church before the Great Tribulation.
Oil in the Lamps
Figuratively speaking, the oil in the lamps symbolizes spiritual preparation. During the time that Jesus gave this parable, olive oil was used in the anointing of God’s people.
Literally speaking, the oil in the lamps can symbolize physical preparations. During the time the Jesus walked the earth, olive oil was used in many practical applications. It was used as a fuel for oil lamps (lighting), it was used as an ingredient for making bread (food), and it was used as an ointment (medicine), and it was used as a moisturizer (hygiene).
How can we prepare Spiritually?
The most important preparation we can make for the end times is Spiritual. We need God’s Holy Spirit. When we give our heart to Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit is given to us as a gift. Without God’s Spirit and the power of Jesus’ name, we could not succeed in facing the challenges ahead.
When we allow Jesus Christ to be our Lord, God’s Holy Spirit indwells our heart. Unfortunately, we often limit how much of our heart the Holy Spirit can occupy. In order to be completely filled with the Holy Spirit, we need to give God every part of our heart.
To prepare for the end times, we must know without any doubt that:
God is in Control
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4: 3-5)
God has a Purpose
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8: 28)
God will Be with us
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31: 6)
The Name of Jesus Christ is Powerful
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14: 12-13)
How can we prepare Physically?
This seems to be the area most people worry about when preparing for the end times. Please know that spiritual preparation is more important than physical preparations.
God may choose to provide just as He did for the Jews when they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years:
2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. (Deuteronomy 8: 2-5)
God knows our needs. God will provide:
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12: 6-7)
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. (Luke 12: 22)
24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12: 24-26)
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12: 27-31)
God can work miracles. Jesus demonstrated that multitudes can be fed with just a few fish and loaves of bread (which were donated):
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14: 16-21)
We are not to put our trust in our physical preparations – we must trust God:
19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12: 19-21)
If you feel led by God to make physical preparations, do whatever preparations he leads you to do. If you feel a need to gather preparations but are unsure of what might be useful, the following list may be helpful. These items might need to be very portable (in case you need to relocate). Also consider what you would do if utilities were not available (e.g. things needed for camping). Keep in mind that God may ask you to share or donate your provisions.
- Holy Bibles – During the end times, it may be difficult to get a Bible (and it may be dangerous to have it in your possession)
- Water, water purification, containers, etc
- Food that does not require refrigeration, salt, etc
- Sustainable & renewable food sources (e.g. seeds, eggs, fish, etc)
- Medicines, vitamins, antihistamines, aspirin, potassium iodide, etc
- Fuel for heating/cooking/transportation
- Lighting that does not require electricity/utilities (e.g. candles, oil lamps, etc)
- Cooking that does not require electricity/utilities
- Personal items (e.g. soap, socks, walking shoes, comb, toothbrush, cotton bandanna, jacket/coat, sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, backpack, matches, etc)
- Barter/Trade items (e.g. sugar, coffee, toilet paper, etc)
Churches, please consider preparing to help those in need:
- Care packages: Bible, soap, comb, toothbrush, cotton bandanna, socks, water/bottle, dried protein, blanket, etc
- Grow food at your church (e.g. Indoor Aquaponics: water from tilapia fish tank is recycled through a gravel-filled grow bed in which edible plants are grown)
Please Note
The 6th Trumpet prophesy begins with a war that kills a third of mankind. Afterwards, there is a 7-year peace treaty during which time the world will be recovering from war. Halfway through the peace treaty, the Great Tribulation begins.
For more information, please read:
Before chasing after material preparations, please go to God in prayer and ask Him what He wants you to do. God knows what the future holds and He knows His plan for you. Always seek God first.
How might God protect His people?
Jesus did not specifically say that he was going to gather (aka rapture) his church before the Great Tribulation. In fact, the parable of the 10 virgins indicates that the church will be present during the end times. But Jesus has also offered hope.
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (Revelation 3: 10)
Jesus did say that some of the faithful will be kept from the time of trial. Out of seven churches that Jesus was addressing, he only offered to keep one of those churches from the time of trial. The other six of the churches will go through that trial. God will use the end times to burn out the dross of (i.e. remove impurities and refine) most of God’s people.
35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21: 35-36)
Jesus tells us that we should pray that we will be able to escape all that is about to happen. This indicates that God will be attentive to our prayers and will show mercy to whomever he chooses to show mercy.
Please also read the following posts:
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