How to be Ready for the End-times

This lesson is all about How to be Ready for the End-times. The purpose of this study is to develop the character quality of readiness (preparedness, watchfulness) in anticipation of Christ’s return. Main Verse: Matthew 24:44 – “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Purpose and Motivation for Readiness

Scripture teaches that anticipating Christ’s return motivates us to live in light of eternity (1 Corinthians 15:29-34); causes us to keep ourselves pure (1 John 3:2,3); provides steadfastness inspired by hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3,10); and promises a reward for loving His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).

To study this topic, we will consider several passages: Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37, and Luke 21:5-36. Additional end times information is found in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:6-7) and the Epistles (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3, 11; 22:7, 12, 20).

Theological Context: The Olivet Discourse

Jesus’ instruction to His disciples from the Mount of Olives (Mount Olivet, giving it the name the Olivet Discourse) appears in Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; and Luke 17:20-37. It is one of the Bible’s most important texts because it not only provides the Lord’s final discourse but also His most extensive prophetic teaching. Much prophetic confusion has resulted from a failure to understand that the Olivet Discourse involves Israel, not the church, and refers to a future (eschatological) age, not the past or present one.

While I am a proponent of the A-millennial view of the end times, much of this teaching is part of the Pre-millennial Dispensational position. When you hear John Hagee or Tim LaHaye, or read the Left Behind series, they’re talking about end-times prophecy from this point of view. To better understand the A-millennial view, read Ray Summers little book called, “Worthy is the Lamb,” Broadman Press, 1951. Matthew wrote his Gospel to Jewish people to present divinely attested proof that Jesus ( Yeshua) was the legitimate heir to the Davidic throne and that His Messianic claims were true and justified.

Commanded in the Gospels

Vigilance is a central theme in Christ's teaching, as evidenced by these specific commands:

  • Matthew 24:42 (Be on the alert)
  • Matthew 24:43 (Be sure of this) – literally “know this”
  • Matthew 24:44 (Be ready)
  • Matthew 25:13 (Be on the alert)
  • Mark 13:33 (Take heed, Keep on the alert)
  • Mark 13:35 (Be on the alert)
  • Mark 13:37 (Be on the alert)

Parables of Readiness

Christ used five parables to teach the importance of being ready for His second coming:

  • Thief – Matthew 24:43
  • Faithful slave – Matthew 24:45-51
  • Ten virgins – Matthew 25:1-12
  • Talents – Matthew 25:14-30
  • Doorkeeper – Mark 13:34-36

Signs of His Second Coming

Jesus uses five illustrations to answer the specific questions of the disciples: “‘When will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”‘ (Matthew 24:3). The chronologically of this narrative (Mark 12:28-34) occurs the Wednesday before the crucifixion and immediately after Jesus brought eight “woes” against the leaders of the nation of Israel. Aware of Jesus’ pronouncement against the nation and particularly the Temple establishment, the disciples perhaps thought a reminder of the national unity symbolized by the Temple might temper Jesus’ disposition toward national judgment. The disciples were also impressed with the Temple’s unrivaled magnificence, which had become a source of national pride. However, Matthew 24:2 says, “And He said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.’”