If These Are the Last Days, What Now Should We Do?

Recently I came across a statement by Bible expositor Warren Wiersbe. Says Wiersbe, “It is unfortunate when people run from one prophetic conference to another, filling their notebooks, marking their Bibles, drawing their charts, and not living their lives to the glory of God.”

Prophetic interpretation is a dangerous business because no one really knows what the future holds. Understanding prophecy is a challenge in its own right because locking into a specific misinterpretation risks a quick loss of credibility. As Wiersbe also says, “The purpose of prophetic truth is not speculation but motivation.” Or, as we might put it, prophecy is not meant to be a crystal ball parlor game. Prophecies are meant to motivate change in our lives.

Let’s assume for a second that certain prophecy pundits are right and that the end really is nigh. What would Jesus have us do? And what would he not have us do? Luke 12 addresses both those questions.

First he tells us what not to do: Don’t worry about what you’ll eat or what you’ll wear (verse 22). Don’t worry about what you’ll drink (verse 29). God knows that we need these things, so don’t worry and don’t be fearful (verse 29 & 32). Otherwise you are no better than unbelievers (verse 30). Having extra stores on hand might be prudent, but in the end your provision will come from God. “Being ready” means having our treasure in the right place (verse 34). It means treating others properly (verses 35 – 47), even to the point of giving away from generosity of heart what we stored up for ourselves (verse 33).

It’s about motivation and not speculation – motivation to live a life worthy of your calling. A further study of scriptures that provide instruction for the last days reveals an interesting pattern, one we often don’t hear from teachers of prophecy. Here is a sample:

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:5-6)

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? (2 Peter 3:11)

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:11)

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10-24-25)

The point seems to be that God is more interested in our relationships, and when times get rough, those relationships will mean more to us than what we could possibly understand when times are good. We need to learn to get each others’ backs, as it were. In fact, in Jesus’ baccalaureate address just before his death (John 13 – 16), he repeatedly tells his disciples to love each other and serve each other, and then he prays for unity among them (Chapter 17).

So if you are concerned that these might be the last days, do the things you should be doing anyway. Heal broken relationships. Live a life of service and giving. Comfort each other. Edify and encourage each other. Store houses have wings. Only character endures.

Note: The text of Dr. Wiersbe's sermon can be downloaded as a Word document here:

calvarybaptist.darien.org/sermon08/serm0208/tg021008/tg021008.doc