5 Ways to Prepare Our Hearts for the End Times
- Becky Harling Author
- Updated Dec 13, 2022
Ever since the global pandemic humanity experienced in 2020, there has been rekindled interest in the end times. Many have publicly stated that they believe we are on the cusp of those times, if not already in them. Pastors have taught through the book of Revelation with renewed fervor as congregants have shown a deeper interest in the end times. One thing is for certain, with every passing day, we move closer to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, the question then becomes, how should we get ready? Should we build a bunker or stock up on supplies from Costco? How exactly do we prepare for the end times?
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
After explaining the signs that the disciples should be looking for in regards to His return (Matthew 24), Jesus went on to tell a story that illustrates how we are to best prepare for His return. The story is found in Matthew 25:1-13. In the story, Jesus said that “the kingdom of God 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 ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry ran out, ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him’” (Matthew 25:1-6). While the foolish virgins went to grab more oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready and prepared went into the banquet while the others were shut out.
Before I explain the parable, let me give you a little background. The Groom at the time of Jesus prepared a place for his new bride. Then when he was ready, he would go to her father’s house to get her. There might be a small party or celebration there, causing a bit of a delay. When the Bride and Groom would head to the house he had prepared, there would be a marriage feast often lasting for seven days. On the way, young ladies would join the procession from the bride’s father’s house to the house the groom had prepared. Once there, they would enter to join the party. Only those who had received an invitation were able to join in the procession.
Oil, throughout the scriptures, is a symbol representing the Holy Spirit. The point of Jesus’s story is that only those who have received salvation and the indwelling Spirit will be allowed into heaven.
Based on this parable, here are five ways we can get ready for the end times and the coming of our bridegroom Jesus:
1. Be Sure and Certain of Your Salvation
Salvation is a free gift of God based on His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, it is given only to those who ask. If you’ve never asked Jesus for His salvation and to be forgiven of your sins, ask now. It seems so simple, and it is. Simply admit you are a sinner and then declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and invite Him into your life (Romans 10:9-10). When you receive Christ, you are given His Spirit.
2. Ask to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Often people pray “the salvation prayer,” but their lives never change. Scripture instructs us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul wrote that we are to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Whenever this instruction is given in scripture, it is with the understanding that the filling of the Holy Spirit is to happen again and again. Now to be clear, it doesn’t mean you get more of the Holy Spirit. It means He gets more of you! In other words, you release more and more control to the indwelling Spirit of Christ. A good habit to cultivate is to pray every morning that you would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then you can repeat that prayer throughout your day, depending on what is happening.
3. Stay in Community with Other Believers
We were never meant to walk out our Christian journey alone. When you became a believer, you were invited into belonging in the family of God. His desire for you is that you would be an active participant in the body of Christ. This can include things like being part of your local church, joining a small group, and being vulnerable with a few other believers. The writer of Hebrews wrote that as believers, we are to encourage each other daily until the Lord returns (Hebrews 3:13). Part of how we prepare for the end times is to stay tightly connected in community. We are to love each other and encourage each other daily. As we do, the body of Christ is strengthened.
4. Pursue Intimacy with the Bridegroom
I don’t know about you, but when I get to heaven and meet Jesus Christ face to face, I don’t want to feel as though I’m meeting a stranger. I want to be so intimately acquainted with Jesus that it feels natural when I see Him. James, the brother of Jesus, promised that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Jesus Himself said that eternal life was knowing God (John 17:3). He was referring to not just head knowledge about Jesus but a personal knowing. Here’s the thing, the more intimately acquainted you are with Jesus the less fear you will experience over the end times. This is why the Apostle John wrote that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
5. Share the Gospel with as Many as Possible
Friend, the closer we get to Christ’s return, the more urgent our message becomes. Often I think believers get distracted from sharing the gospel. They might think to themselves, “I’ll leave that to the professional ministers.” However, that’s faulty thinking. All of us are to be sharing our faith. God has no other plan for getting the gospel out. As long as we are alive, we are to be faithful in sharing the good news that Jesus offers forgiveness and grace and wants a relationship with every human being.
Friend, the truth is, we are living in exciting times. Many of the signs that Jesus predicted in Matthew 24 are happening right now. Whether we are a few days away from Christ’s return or several hundred years, we know for sure that with every day that passes, we get closer to His triumphant return. Now is the time to prepare! Be certain of your salvation, ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, stay in community with other believers, pursue intimacy with the bridegroom, and finally, share the gospel message with as many people as you can. Jesus’s return is imminent, so let’s do everything we can to prepare so that when He does return, we’re ready and waiting!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/coffeekai
