PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: What Did Jesus Command?

HOW IS THE CHRISTIAN TO PREPARE?

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
—Mark 13:33

There are any number of websites, books and articles which claim to provide tips on how the Christian should prepare for the end times. Almost universally, these sites highlight articles and advice on “physical preparation.” The three G’s are prominently featured: groceries, guns and gold.

These sites often supply information which runs contrary to the Bible itself. For instance, a fourth “G” is sometimes given lip service: God.  BUT how can one be preparing in a godly fashion IF one is ignoring what God’s Word says on the subject?

---

PART TWO: PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: Part 2

---

 

So, how is the true Christian–as opposed to the apostates, tares and counterfeits–to prepare for the end times?

Fortunately, Jesus was very clear on the subject.

NO PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR THE END TIMES

When it came to preparing for the end times, Jesus had plenty to say. However, none of what He said involved putting up food, gathering firearms or stashing away gold.

So what exactly did Jesus tell us about preparing for the end times?

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”
—Matthew 24:4

“And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:”
—Mark 13:5

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
—Mark 13:33

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
—Matthew 24:6

“but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
—Mark 13:13

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
—Matthew 24:13

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
—Revelation 2:10

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
—Matthew 24:42

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
—Matthew 25:13

In fact, Jesus SPECIFICALLY WARNED against physical preparations.

“Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:”
—Matthew 24:17

“And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:”
—Mark 13:15

Not even a “bug out bag?”

“Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.”
—Matthew 24:18

“And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.”
—Mark 13:16

“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”
—Mark 13:22-23

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
—Luke 21:36

“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.”
—Mark 13:35-36

In fact, Jesus instructed his disciples not to even think of what they were to say when they were hauled in front of rulers.

“But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”
—Mark 13:11

“Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
—Luke 21:14-15

Finally, Jesus gave one piece of advice which should speak to all who are placing their trust in worldly, physical preparations.

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
—Luke 21:34

IN CONCLUSION

Basically, Jesus’s advice to his disciples for the end times consisted of four points, none of which involved physical preparations.

1. Take heed. Be alert!
2. Don’t be deceived.
3. Watch
4. Pray

In addition, Jesus also urged His followers to “endure to the end.”

As the reader can see from studying Jesus’s advice: it is very heavy on staying alert (take heed), watching and praying.  Nothing is mentioned about storing up items to prolong the believer’s physical body.

The world prepares one way for the end times. That type of preparation involves physical needs and depending upon man. But the true believer’s end times preparations should be totally different from that of the world. The true Christian’s preparations should be based on the commands of Jesus.

So, how is the true Christian to prepare for the end times?

Take heed, watch and pray.

“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
—Mark 13:37

Christian “preppers”: take heed.

---

PART TWO: PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: Part 2

---

THE GOSPEL

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

RELATED ARTICLES

• Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible says to Christians
• Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
• End Times Trials, Tribulations, Trouble and Disaster: Put your trust in Jesus
• Underground Bunkers for the End Times: What does the Bible Say?
• Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
• Separating from the World: END TIMES SURVIVAL
• Watch: An End Times Commandment

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-15. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted in those blogs/websites.

Related articles

• Calming the Storm
• Mark 4:16-17 – Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root,