Have you been watching the news and the countless Instagram reels highlighting the possibility of electricity shortages, cyberattacks, hacking incidents, global instability and everything else unfolding around the world? And are you beginning to wonder what is happening?
The truth is that none of this should come as a complete surprise to those who know Scripture. Christ Himself warned us that troubling events, wars, rumours of wars, deception, lawlessness, sin and widespread distress would characterise the period leading up to His return.
We must acknowledge that events such as wars, conflicts, natural disasters, political instability and societal upheaval have occurred throughout human history, including in the centuries following Christ's ascension. These events are not new. However, in recent years, many of us have observed what appears to be an increasing intensity, frequency and convergence of global crises and troubling developments.
Some of us have been speaking about these things and preparing spiritually for years. We are not living in fear, nor are we going to allow headlines, predictions or frightening social media content to shake our faith. We believe what Christ has told us. We believe He is returning. And we know that this world is not our eternal home.
However, let me make something very clear: this is not a time for spiritual complacency.
If anything, these developments should serve as another serious wake-up call. They should remind us of the urgency of the Gospel, the reality of eternity and the seriousness of the condition of our souls.
Repent of your sins. Do not make excuses for them. Do not attempt to justify what God has condemned. Mourn over your sin, turn away from it and return wholeheartedly to Jesus Christ. Stop compromising with the world. Stop allowing temporary pleasures, worldly ambitions and distractions to take priority over your relationship with God. You cannot claim to be waiting for Christ's return while deliberately continuing to live in rebellion against Him.
We must also be very careful of developing a lazy, complacent and lukewarm attitude towards our faith. Do not deceive yourself into thinking that simply because you call yourself a Christian, attend church, know Bible verses or consider yourself a believer, everything will automatically be well with your soul.
A profession of faith is not a substitute for genuine repentance, obedience and a life surrendered to Christ. There are people who have become so comfortable in their Christianity that they have stopped examining their hearts, stopped fighting sin, stopped pursuing holiness and stopped taking their relationship with God seriously. They have convinced themselves that everything is fine, when in reality they may be spiritually asleep. I consider myself the chief or greatest among them.
Do not be among those who presume they belong to Christ, only to stand before Him on that Day and hear the most terrifying words imaginable: "I never knew you: depart from me, you workers of lawlnesses (sin)" (Matthew 7:23). Imagine spending your life convinced that you are right with God, only to discover that you were deceived. What a dreadful and devastating realisation that would be. Do not gamble with your eternity. Do not settle for a superficial Christianity. Examine yourself, repent genuinely, pursue holiness and make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). We are not called to a lazy, half-hearted or lukewarm faith. We are called to follow Christ wholeheartedly, faithfully and obediently.
There is a tremendous difference between professing faith and living in obedience to the Lord.
And to those who do not know Christ personally, understand this: your greatest concern should not be electricity shortages, cyberattacks, economic collapse or whatever crisis may emerge next. Your greatest concern should be your standing before Almighty God. The world can be frightening, but the greatest danger facing humanity is not a technological collapse or a global crisis. It is dying in sin without being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
We are not called to sit around speculating, endlessly analysing headlines or obsessing over every alarming development. We are called to preach the Gospel, make disciples, call people to repentance and remain faithful to the work God has entrusted to us. People are perishing. Souls are in need of the Gospel. Eternity is real. Judgement is real. And the responsibility placed upon those who profess Christ is not something to be taken lightly.
Personally, I believe the world could come to an end in the 2030s. However, that is my own speculation and nothing more. I am not claiming prophetic revelation and I am certainly not setting a date for Christ's return. Scripture is clear that nobody knows the day or the hour. No one has the authority to announce a specific date for the Lord's return.
Nevertheless, we should take seriously the warnings Christ gave us. We should remain watchful, spiritually alert and prepared. We must never become so comfortable with this world that we forget that we are accountable to God.
Those who have been part of this group for years know that we have consistently discussed the end times, the Second Coming of Christ and the importance of spiritual preparedness. These developments may therefore not be entirely unexpected to some of us. But I recognise that they may be alarming to those who are unfamiliar with Scripture or who have never genuinely considered the reality of Christ's return.
That is precisely why we must speak about these things. Not to create panic. Not to spread sensationalism. Not to make ourselves appear knowledgeable about future events. But to direct people towards Jesus Christ.
Do not abandon your employment, education, families, responsibilities or everyday obligations because you believe we are approaching the end. Do not become irresponsible under the pretence of being spiritually prepared.
There is a famous saying attributed to Martin Luther:
"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree today."
That is the attitude we should have.
Continue working. Continue studying. Continue fulfilling your responsibilities. Continue providing for your families. Continue loving your neighbours. Continue serving others. And above all, continue preaching the Gospel. Do not use the prospect of Christ's return as an excuse to neglect the responsibilities He has given you. But equally, do not become so consumed by this life that you neglect the life to come.
We must live with our eyes fixed on eternity, our feet firmly planted in our present responsibilities and our hearts steadfast in Christ. Let the world panic if it wishes. Let people place their confidence in governments, technology, financial systems and human institutions. We know that none of these things can provide eternal security.
Our hope is not in the stability of this world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ.
So take your faith seriously. Stop playing games with sin. Stop compromising with the world. Stop putting off repentance. Stop assuming that you have unlimited time to get right with God.
You do not know how much time you have.
Be watchful. Be sober-minded. Be faithful. Preach the Gospel while you have the opportunity. Live in obedience to Christ and remain prepared for His return.
We are not called to live in terror of the end. We are called to live in holiness, faithfulness and readiness before the Lord.
And if you are living in unrepentant sin, you have every reason to take these warnings seriously. Do not presume upon God's mercy while deliberately rejecting His commands. Today is the day to turn to Christ.
The Second Coming should be a source of hope and anticipation for those who belong to Him, but a solemn warning to those who remain outside of Him.
May we never become so distracted by the signs of the times that we forget the One who is coming.
What a wonderful freedom it is to live without fear and anxiety!
“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish and at peace.” 2 Peter 3:14
Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus!
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