PREPARE FOR THE LAST DAYS
By W. Guy
Christians should not be surprised by terrible and horrendous conditions that we will see and live through during these last days prior to the return of Christ. Unfortunately, Christians in America will be taken by surprise because they are so unprepared.
2 Timothy 3:1 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
In addition to the depraved moral conditions that are even within the church as listed in verses two through five in 2 Timothy 3, there are the signs Jesus told us that let us know that His coming is close.
Luke 21:10-11 & 25-28 – Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. …. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Here we are told about a significant increase in natural disasters, especially earthquakes, and “distress of nations” which is caused by economic problems, disease, plagues and pestilences, as well as wars which are now greatly increasing and causing fear. All this is in fulfillment of prophesy that a great shaking will occur.
Hebrews 12:26-27 - whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Up until recently, Christians in America have not been exposed the level of persecution that Christians throughout history or in other parts of the world experienced due to hostile religions, dictators or despotic forms of government. However, this is changing very rapidly now in America as Satan has risen to power and control through godless people acquiring positions of leadership in every institution in the nation. We can now see Satan’s influence in our Federal government, certain state, municipal and local governments; also in our educational institutions, especially in the entertainment industry and even in the various sports organizations. Add to this is the infiltration of Satan’s ministers into the churches that bring in compromise and immorality coupled with false doctrines.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 – And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
One particular condition that has been foretold to occur in these last days is war! Not just wars of nation against nation, but race or ethnic conflicts which we have seen greatly increase in the past century; also is the “war against the saints”, the war against the true church of Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Christians in America ARE NOT prepared for.
Daniel 7:21 – I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Revelation 12:17 – And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 13:7 – And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
This war will escalate from spiritual to actual physical conflict. War is a series of battles, conflicts or engagements utilizing deadly implements or weapons in order to defeat or destroy the enemy forces. There is a reason that the church is not prepared for physical war, (this is not the spiritual warfare which we have constantly been engaged in with the enemy, Ephesians 6:10-17), but this is physical war requiring the use of weapons of death and destruction. The reason for lack of preparation are the doctrines of “passivism”, “turning the other cheek”, “love your enemy” and “thou shalt not kill”, each of which has not been taught by “rightly dividing the word of truth”. The command, “thou shalt not kill” is actually thou shalt not murder and does not at all apply to self-defense or fighting in a war against a mortal enemy; otherwise God told Israel to commit sin when He told Israel to kill all the inhabitants in the Promised Land, or when they engaged in war. Murder is having malicious intent to kill another for personal reasons and does not apply to self-defense, accident or war.
Christians need to understand that there are two types of enemy; mortal and menial. The mortal enemy (as in war or terrorism) just wants to eliminate you; the menial enemy simply opposes you in a negative relationship which you are to change by loving acts of kindness. You need to destroy the mortal enemy, but you are to love the menial enemy. (This is explained in greater detail in my article Two Kinds of Enemy on www.victoriouslivingbiblestudy.com). Thus the doctrines of passivism and “turn the other cheek” and “thou shalt not kill” do not apply to conditions of warfare.
In these last days there will continue to be menial enemies that will accuse you and oppose you. Some of these enemies may be of your very own family.
Matthew 10:34-36 – Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
Luke 12:49-53 – I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
These enemies referred to are menial enemies; you have a relationship with them but they turn on you because they do not have the Lord Jesus Christ in them and will cause you great grief. They are not mortal enemies; however they may turn you over to mortal enemies. Make sure your family members have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to avoid this situation.
Christians in America need to realize that war is coming and it is beginning covertly at present as opposition steadily builds through laws and various means of restrictions and controls by our ungodly and un-constitutional government[i]. However it will build to the point of personal confrontation eventually having to take up weapons of warfare. Our fight will be for survival in order to continue to live for Christ and be the light of the world against the darkness that is overtaking it. Light puts out the darkness; darkness is the absence of light; darkness does not eliminate light. Here are a few questions that need to be addressed in the church:
- How are Christians to provide a defense for themselves and their families against their mortal enemies?
- Are Christians able to take up deadly weapons to defend themselves against mortal enemies?
- Are Christians allowed to engage in deadly warfare or combat to fight a mortal enemy?
Consider the following scriptures for answers to these questions.
Nehemiah 4:13-14 - Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
This verse clearly speaks to the carrying of deadly weapons for the defense of you and your family.
1 Timothy 5:8 – But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Failure to provide for the defense of your family is to leave them vulnerable to the enemy and shows a lack of love and godly care for them.
Luke 22:35-36 – And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Why did Jesus actually instruct the disciples to sell a personal possession and buy a weapon. It certainly was not for use in propagating the gospel. Jesus knew that after HE ascended that the enemy would do all in his power to fight back against the gospel and to attack His servants by various means. Jesus also knew that at least two of his disciples already had weapons, thus his instruction was for those who thereafter would become believers, to include us today.
The swords were for SELF DEFENSE. A person of ill intentions will not attack a person who they know is armed as criminals prefer unarmed victims. The sword was the most powerful weapon a person could carry in those days. Today it would be equivalent to magnum handgun. Some Christians use Jesus’ statement found in Matthew 26:52 as justification to not have or use a weapon, but they miss the point of what Jesus was saying, that the use of a sword or weapon unjustly or without true cause is an unwarranted or unlawful use which thus invokes a penalty.
Psalm 18:32-40 (A Psalm of Warfare) – It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
Psalm 144:1 (A Psalm of Warfare) – Blessed be the Lord my strength,
which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
Church, we need to prepare to protect that which has been delivered to us and our families, and our cause of standing for Jesus. Unfortunately there are many that will not.
Matthew 10:28-33 – And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
In war people die; even Christians will die defending themselves and their loved ones as indicated in Revelation 12 and 13. But recognize that, until Jesus comes, every one dies sooner or later. The question you need to answer for yourself is - what will you live for, and what will you die for?
Here is something to be aware of in regards to fighting in warfare as is written of the newly released Hebrew slaves that escaped out of Egypt:
Exodus 13:17 – And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
Slaves, those who have lived under oppressive conditions by overbearing masters (even governments) have no stomach for war. Having been physically and/or mentally conditioned by oppression and have lived in subjugation have no will to fight, thus they are willing to acquiesce to return to being slaves under subjection.
Fortunately, true Christians have more than just physical means of defense and support; we are commanded to put our trust in God who knows all things and has ultimate control. Consider His promises to have faith in:
Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
Psalm 91 – He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psalm 91 is particularly for the time of peril and tribulation.
Psalm 144:2 – My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
Christians need to be prepared for what is coming, both spiritual and physical; at least prepare with what is in your hands to do; what is not within your means and ability to do you need to trust God for.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Matthew 6:31-33 – Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
There are two forms of preparation that we need to make; physical and spiritual, and both are important. Physical preparation is what you can do for yourself and family; spiritual preparation is what is not in your hands to do for yourself. The spiritual is based on the promises in the Word of God and what God has told us what He can do for us in the name of Jesus.
Do not ignore the warnings of the watchmen who sound the alarm of what is coming. In conclusion, read Psalm 35 in its entirety.
[1] "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams, Second President of The United States
