Biblical Answer

Preparing for the End: A Biblical Perspective

As followers of Christ, we must acknowledge that the end of our lives, the end of the world, and the final judgment are all matters of great importance. The Bible teaches us that we are not to be fearful or anxious about these things, but rather to be confident and prepared. In Hebrews 12:1-2, we are encouraged to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." This means that we are to commit to finish, by faith, what God has shown us. We are to look unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

To prepare for the end, we must first understand that it cannot be prepared for in the sense that we can control or manipulate it. The final experience is in the upper category and simply comes. However, we can be proactive about a new strategy to handle failure and pray for God's help in reacting by faith to any future failures. We must also apply our new strategy to the next failure and not just wait for the final experience. In Philippians 1:6, we are reminded that God is at work in all things, even in our failures, and that He will complete the good work He has started in us until the day of Jesus Christ. This should give us confidence and trust in God, especially in difficult circumstances.

In order to be prepared for the end, we must reflect on our relationship with God and make sure we are living a life that reflects Christian values and teachings. We must be willing to make a list of two or three steps of faith that are facing us both now and in the distant future and pray for God's guidance and strength. We must also look to the cross of Christ and plead for the knowledge of God, asking for boldness to live out our faith in the face of challenges. By doing so, we can be confident that we are prepared for the end and that God will complete the good work He has started in us. As Psalm 102:13-14 says, "You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her—the appointed time has come." We can trust that God will complete His purposes and bring us to the end of our journey in a state of readiness and faith.