All that's required of the Christian is remaining faithful to Jesus Christ in light of the end. They need only keep watch.
Let the AntiChrist come.
Let him come!
Let's get this thing over with
#JesusChristIsComingSoon
Matthew 24:11-14
Many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.
"And then the end will come."
Remember one thing if you remember anything. The return of Christ is about HOPE. Not to be feared, not to be a matter of concern, except that you must be prepared in your faith.
In light of Christ's second coming, how should people live?
1. They must not be deceived by false Christs.
2. Christians must not be alarmed by tribulation, persecution, wars, and violence.
3. They must endure the struggle and remain faithful.
4. They must keep watch, living as if at any minute Christ will come.
And finally, keep in mind what Jesus taught about living out your faith. He described it as if you were encountering him in various situations and how you responded determined your faithfulness to his teachings. All people on earth will be judged according to the way in which they have responded to Christ in their daily life. The surprise of the Last Days will be that many people have unknowingly encountered Christ in other persons, the poor and the needy, the sick and the imprisoned. And these people will discover that the ultimate measure of their truth and faithfulness will be shown in how they have responded to those in need, how they responded to Christ in those moments.
Christ won't be judging your church attendance. He won't be doing an accounting of all your accomplishments regarding your outward signs of being a good person of faith. He'll be looking into the history of your encounters with him and how you responded to his presence in all those people he put before you.
There is a certain series in the works of Christ's providence, as there is in the works of nature found throughout the universe. People have spent millennia trying to make sense of these things to come by some human understanding and in general they've failed to get it. The reason I believe is because most folks want the wrong answers. They're trying to sort out all the details of the last days in a way that will get them the results they want without having to follow the series of instructions already laid out by Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ has not kept the beginning of sorrows (the last days) a secret. His preachers and teachers may have avoided teaching on his instructions, but it's all there for the seekers of truth and faithfulness to find if their church won't help them. In these last days, can you imagine any other religious texts that could be more efficacious?
In my opinion, the church should be teaching and preaching on the prophetic texts more than any other. These texts are directly connected to how we live today. They are loaded with meaning and instructions that believers must understand in order to put their lives in order.
I understand that most folks can't be bothered to focus on Christ's second coming in light of the day to day events that everyone must endure. But keep in mind, Jesus taught that it was those very day to day experiences that are going to determine your destiny. This is what he meant when he said, "Verily, I say unto you. You may take my word for it, these things are at the door.” (Matthew 24)
What does that mean, it's at the door?
It means that his advent coming (the first coming), his journey as a man, life, death, and resurrection have set into motion the last of days. And every day since then, his judgment has been at the door. At the door, coming to examine your history, looking at what you did for him, and what you didn't do for him. All these prophetic messages are there, at the door, knocking on your life. There may be great trials and troubles yet to come in our lives, and encounters with Christ set before us. We can be sure of this, many encounters will come in our own days, many that we are aware of and many we are unaware of.
The common theme, (talking points) these days among the church folks is that it's all about a relationship with Jesus. This is true, but what is that relationship about? In Matthew 25 Jesus explains that series of relationships. He talks about remembering his teachings, remaining faithful to them, and responding to encounters he's sent your way. That's the relationship you should be seeking (keeping watch for). That's the relationship that proves that you can keep your word. And that's the relationship (when responded to correctly) that witnesses to the fact the his Holy Spirit is at work within you.
Yes, it's about a relationship.
Jesus said it like this:
Matthew 25:34-36
"I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’"
That's the relationship.
Is your church doing this? Are you doing this?
Why is that important?
Because that's how the church and the faithful ones keep watch.
In conclusion:
What I never saw in any of the prophetic texts regarding the last days is any suggestion that people must be faithful to keep the whitewashed tombs clean and bright in order to have that relationship with Christ. In fact, the prophets do have a lot to say about those lukewarm congregations, but it ain't a prophecy filled with hope.
Friends, keep watching for Jesus and the many encounters he's sending your way. Respond with joy for this is the evidence of your faith, that Christ is with you, his Spirit is working on you, and somehow (inspite of all your weaknesses) you will overcome these troubling times with faithfulness and peace with God. You are blessed. You are his child. He is faithful to you and you returned the favor. Keep watch friends. Keep watch.
God bless you and keep you.