We invite you to think about the signs of the end times and what the coming of Jesus Christ is all about. Are we ready for this coming, are we looking forward to it? The Bible speaks of two components of this understanding.

The importance of understanding time

First of all, it is important to know the time, and there are two components to this, the first of which is people, their actions, character and behavior, which always indicate that the time has come.

The apostle Paul notes this in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:

«But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.».

«And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. But all these things are the beginning of travail. Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.».

These words of the Lord about the end times are also relevant to our time. Wars and conflicts are a reality in our world.

We need to know our calling from the Lord

The Lord is very close, so we should pay attention to some important points, including doing what God has called us to do. Know your calling from Him. In the Gospel of Matthew 26:14-15 we read:

«Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.»

Notice how He gave, for it was not a super effort. Gospel of Matthew 25:18-21:

«But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.».

But the Lord answered (Gospel of Matthew 25:30):

«And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.»

It is very important to hear what the Lord says. It is very important that everyone does what the Lord has called them to do according to their gifts and consecration.

Speaking of these things, we should pay attention to the Gospel of Matthew 24:45:

«Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?»

«Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.».

It is important not to lose heart and not to give up, but to do what the Lord has called us to do. The signs of the end times should encourage us to wait for the coming of the Lord. With God’s coming will come God’s testing of His heart and our hearts.

Have I fulfilled God’s commission?

In view of all that has been written, it is important to fulfill the Lord’s commission with zeal, regardless of human opinions and judgments. We are responsible to God and we alone will be accountable to Him. He will ask if we have fulfilled His commission – this is the main question, not what others have done or not done.

Very often people make excuses: “Oh, if only it hadn’t been for this person,” ‘Oh, if only it hadn’t been for those people,’ ‘Oh, if only it hadn’t been for that person,’ and so on. But when God comes, He will not ask about the actions of another slave, He will only ask about himself – whether he fulfilled God’s will, wishes, and vocation.

As God says (Matthew 24:46):

«Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.»

The main thing is whether I am doing or not doing, whether I am not giving up in accordance with God’s purpose. You need to tell yourself and others this. No one will say that there is still enough time – God will come soon and we need to be ready to meet the Lord.

The signs of the end times make us despair and give up, but we should not give up our ministry and what the Lord has called us to do.

God says (1 Corinthians 10:13):

«There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.».