No food! Desolation! Bloodshed! Signs in the heavens! An evil ruler! Empty stores! Corruption! Civil war! These may be a few things you think of when it comes to the end times. However, what does the Bible say?
Last month I shared how I was going through some health complications and how I created a five-step spiritual battle plan to help me when I am faced with not feeling well. I mentioned how a person could make a battle plan for other things such as depression or marriage struggles, and I even mentioned making a plan for the end times.
A spiritual battle plan could be made up of (1) praise and worship, (2) specific verses for what you are facing, (3) truth statements and God statements, (4) the armor of God, and (5) thanksgiving. Let’s incorporate these suggestions into a specific battle plan for the end times, but first let’s learn some ways we can be prepared for the end of the age.
The number one way you can prepare for the end times is by having a relationship with Jesus. A relationship with Jesus first starts by accepting that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and asking the Lord to forgive you of your sins.
After you have accepted salvation in Jesus, then you get to know Him. You talk to Jesus as a friend. You share your whole life with Him—your struggles, your joys, your worries, everything. Nothing will surprise Jesus, my friends, just be real with Him. Read the Bible and dialogue to the Lord as you do so. Get your oil (see Matthew 25:1–10).
The next way you can prepare for the end of the age is to know the biblical narrative of the end times and not the secular one. How do you do this? You get your sweet nose in the Word of God. You study, digest, and dialogue with Jesus about the verses that talk on the end times. What verses talk on the end times, you may ask? Great question, I will get you started with some key terminology and Scriptures on this very thing.
Take the following vocabulary and verses slow. Look them up in your own Bible. As you look up these verses, also read before and after these Scriptures. This will take time. Ask Jesus to help expound these holy words and to give you revelation. Be gentle with yourself as you unpack these Scriptures. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS. YOU ARE SMART!
Seven-Year Tribulation: I see the seven-year tribulation as the final seven years of the end times. Daniel uses the term week to describe the seven-year tribulation. Part of the Hebrew definition of week can mean seven years (see Daniel 9:27).
The Antichrist: An evil man that will rule, have fierce features, understand sinister schemes, be very powerful (but not by his own power), cause destruction, prosper, and be cunning, deceptive, and prideful (Daniel 8:23–25). He will have a deadly wound (Revelation 13). He will say that he is God in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). He will do signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). He will change time and law (Daniel 7:25). He will persecute the saints—Christians—(Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:7). Although he is evil at his core, I believe he will come off as grand, mighty, and even appear like a savior (see 2 Corinthians 11:14). He will rise against Jesus and be killed by Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:20).
The False Prophet: This is the antichrist’s “sidekick.” He will push the mark of the beast and the image of the beast. He will do signs and wonders in the presence of the antichrist (Revelation 13:11–18, 19:20).
Covenant: The antichrist will make a covenant (peace treaty) with Israel and other nations (Daniel 9:27).
Harlot of Babylon: An evil religious and economic system (Revelation 17–18).
Ten-Nation Confederation: I see this as ten nations that will work together with the antichrist (see Daniel 7:7–8, 23–24; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 17).
Abomination of Desolation: At the halfway mark of the seven-year tribulation, the antichrist will break the covenant (peace treaty). He will bring an end to sacrifice and offerings (this means there will be a temple in Jerusalem). The antichrist will say he is God in the temple of God. An image of the beast (antichrist) will be set up.
The mandate to get the mark of the beast, worship the image of the beast, and follow the beast will be a part of the abomination of desolation, with strong emphasis on the image of the beast being set up (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 8:13, 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Revelation 13). (From my perspective, the beast is the antichrist.)
Mark of the Beast: To be able to buy or sell, a mark—the name of the beast or the number of the beast’s name—will be placed on the right hand or forehead of people. The false prophet will enforce the mark (Revelation 13:16–18). DO NOT GET THE MARK OF THE BEAST! If we are here, I believe the Lord will provide for us! (Revelation 14:9–13).
Image of the Beast: An image will be made of the beast. It appears that the image will breathe, speak, and cause as many as would not worship it to be killed. The false prophet will really enforce the image of the beast (Revelation 13:14–15). DO NOT WORSHIP THIS IMAGE! (Revelation 14:9–13).
To incorporate the knowledge we just gained and the five suggestions on what a spiritual battle plan can consist of, here is a proposed end-times battle plan.
End-Times Battle Plan
1. Praise and worship. If we are here when the end times are in full swing, praising the Lord will be of utmost importance. “Jesus, even though the world is chaotic, I trust your leadership. YOU are the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
2. Specific verses for what you are facing. If we are present during the seven-year tribulation, we must read the verses mentioned earlier in the article and obey those words, not the world’s ways and the antichrist’s words. Get to know the above verses. Scriptures that bring comfort would include Joshua 1:9; Philippians 4:19; and Psalms 23 and 91.
3. Truth statements and God statements. If we are here during the end times, here are a couple of statements we can tell ourselves. “I will not get the mark of the beast. If the Lord provided manna for the Israelites, I believe He will provide for me and my family.” “If I end up dying for my faith in Jesus, I will instantly be in heaven. Perhaps I will have an experience like Stephen” (see Acts 7:54–60).
4. Put on the armor of God. Please see Ephesians 6:10–17. If you live with other people during the end times, it would not hurt to declare and put this armor on together as a family (or with friends).
5. Thanksgiving. Even if we are here during the end of the age, a person can still find things to be appreciative for. “Jesus, thank you that I have you.” “Lord, thank you that I can talk to you at any time of the day in my heart and no one can take that from me.” “Thank you that you are coming back and before too long, this all will be done and over.”
I know the end times can be a hefty subject to learn and hear about, but it is so very important to know about the things that will take place. Go grab a cup of joe, some tea, or a cold Mountain Dew and talk to Jesus about these things. He will guide, reassure, and teach you about the end times and how to get prepared.
—No fear, Ashley
