For decades now, churches have taught more about how to live in the world than how to live in the world’s final days. As a result, many Christians are clueless about what is happening, why it is happening, and what they should do about it. I fear that a lack of sound biblical and prophetic teaching has left God’s people unguarded and unprepared for living in the final days. Here’s what I mean…
A Wrong Premise
A growing number of churchgoers believe that people are basically good. So, when someone commits an evil act, difficult circumstances or a bad environment is blamed. In other words, personal responsibility is removed. That’s why many pastors and evangelical leaders pursue social action and awareness. They’re simply trying to make the world better.
They have a wrong premise because they’re looking in the wrong place. The Bible teaches, “There is none righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10). Scripture also tells us that the final days will be “just like the days of Noah” (Matt. 24:36-39). God destroyed the earth with water because He “saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).
Yes, the world is getting worse and will continue to do so until Jesus reigns. That’s exactly why the work of the Church is saving souls—not saving the world. We need to share the love and mercy of Jesus Christ urgently, but we cannot do so without talking about sin.
A Core Problem
Many people in church no longer acknowledge, or even understand, the holiness of God. Like Noah pointed people to the ark, Christians are to point people to Jesus so they can be rescued when God’s wrath is poured out on the world—wrath that His holiness demands. But if a church doesn’t talk about sin, then there’s no need to mention God’s holy nature.
So, people look for ways to explain evil in the world and deal with its consequences. No wonder we’re seeing a rise in drug and alcohol addiction, as well as in suicide rates. And the American Church seems satisfied with teaching coping techniques rather than offering clear biblical instruction and direction.
A Failure to Prepare
Jesus said that His followers needed to prepare for the challenges of living in the final days.
“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34–36).
Hearts today are certainly weighted down. Maybe that’s because Christians, in general, aren’t on guard or alert to our times. Instead, we often try to escape the pressures of living in a godless culture by existing in a bubble or not engaging with prophetic passages. Yet, Jesus’ words are statements of preparation—not the promotion of fear. Reading passages like this should heighten our anticipation for His coming kingdom.
A Calming Presence
Do I believe we’re living in the final days? Yes, I do. And that belief encourages me to be prepared. Because I know that the world is spinning to a conclusion, I can live with urgency instead of anxiety. The calming presence of the Holy Spirit guards my heart and mind, while guiding me by the truth of Scripture. So I’m alert—not afraid; conscious—not consumed. Read it again, “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life.”