Journey With Jesus: 31 Days Devotion From the Gospel of MarkExemplo

Are you prepared for the End?

The National Geographic Channel runs a series called “Doomsday Preppers.” It features people who go to extreme lengths to prepare for the end of the world. Think underground weapons arsenals for fear of zombies or large medicine stashes in anticipation of an outbreak.

The word “doomsday” sounds like something terrible will happen as the age that we live in comes to an end. In some sense, it’s true. There will be widespread persecution of Christians as Satan fiercely attacks the Church (v9-13). A man of lawlessness will brazenly call himself God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Evil beings, with fake signs and wonders, will deceive those who reject God and choose wickedness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). Distress, fear, and chaos will be the order of the day (v14-22).

But evil won’t have the last say. Jesus will return in His glory to save His followers (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and punish those who reject God’s truth and mistreat God’s people (1 Peter 4:17-18).

While we may not store weapons or hoard medicine, we must prepare for Jesus’ arrival. Because we won’t know the exact time He will come, we need to be watchful and ready to receive Him (v32-36).

One important way we prepare for Jesus’ return in the future is by living a life of holiness in the present (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). Being holy means being set apart for God and offering ourselves for God’s purposes. Holy living includes honouring God with our desires and behaviours (Colossians 3:1-10); loving people around us (Colossians 3:12-14); and studying or working diligently for God (Colossians 3:23-25).

Sounds difficult? It is. But if we submit to the Holy Spirit, it’s possible. We find the power for holy living through the Holy Spirit, who promises to lead us into a fruitful life (Galatians 5:22-26). We don’t rely on rules and regulations to keep ourselves in check. Instead, we depend on the Holy Spirit to lead us to honour God with our lives.

Do you want to grow in holy living but feel helpless to do so? Speak to more mature Christians around you. Ask them how you can experience and obey the Holy Spirit.