The Christian's Guide to Surviving the End of the World

We live in troubled times. Wars and rumors of wars are eve increasing, natural disasters keep getting worse, prices are increasing, lawlessness is rampant. Scientists have set the Doomsday Clock of manmade global catastrophe at 100 seconds to midnight which means people believe global catastrophe is right around the corner. In people’s minds across the world is the nagging concern that catastrophic events are in the works that will destroy most of the world.

In the United States in only the last few years, the number of doomsday preppers have increased dramatically as have websites and articles about what everyone needs to store away to be prepared for the worst. Some of these necessary items according to these sites and people are a 2-3 weeks supply of food (at least), as much water as you can store, waterproof matches, water purification tablets, whistles, masks, first aid kits, toiletry kits, batteries, flashlights, candles, generators, tools and weapons, a wide assortment of clothes and shoes for all weather.

But did you know that the Bible also talks about being prepared for the end of the world? In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Apostle Peter gives a list of essential actions to take because of the approaching time of history’s end. Unlike the recommended lists of today’s doomsday preppers, the list Peter gives is actually quite short. In fact, only two actions make his list! But these two actions will mean the difference between life and death for the professing Christian.

The end of all things

In the text, our attention is immediately grabbed by Peter’s bold statement that “the end of all things is at hand.” When he wrote this to the Christians of the dispersion just under 2000 years ago, Jesus’ death and resurrection was a fresh memory as well as a clear sign that the next step in the course of God’s plan of history would be the final judgement and end of time. Peter truly believed Jesus could come back at any moment as I am sure he also truly desired Jesus’ return because of the trials Christians were enduring.

2000 years after Peter wrote these words, the truth of Peter’s statement bears even more weight for us today! If Jesus could have returned then, he is that much closer to returning now and bringing an end to all things. After all, we are living in the Last Days. And if you don’t think Jesus will come during your lifetime, the end of your life is surely bound to come and so in one way or another, the end of all things is coming.

Christian essentials for end of the world preparation

THEREFORE, Peter says, followers of Jesus must be sure to do two essential things to ensure we avoid destruction.

Pray

First, we must pray.

Peter said, “be of sound judgement and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer (NASB).” The end of the world brings with it many fears and uncertainties and many causes to lose focus and forget. But rather than become distracted by other cares of concerns Christians are to stay controlled and keep a clear head; we are to be focused on our mission as followers of Jesus to proclaim the message of hope and salvation. By staying focused on Christ in the last days of the world, we will not forget to pray.

What do you think happens to followers of Jesus when they don’t pray, or pray only in word and not with a genuine heart? Jesus gives us an idea in Luke 21:34-36. Concerning the last days Jesus said:

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man

Without prayer, followers of Jesus will be weighed down with the cares of this life and be unprepared for the return of Jesus, and as Jesus had mentioned in the parable of the 10 virgins, those who were not prepared for the return of the bridegroom were not allowed into the wedding banquet (Matthew 25). But through prayer, Christians are strengthened against temptations and cares of this life so that we may escape them.

Are you feeling the weight of cares and pleasures of this life and is that weight distracting you from focusing your attention and energy on Jesus? If so pray. Pray for help, pray for strength, pray for rescue! God hears and answers the prayers of those whom he loves. Do not be caught unprepared.

Love

But there is one more action we must take according to our text if we are to be prepared and avoid destruction: we must love one another. “The end of all things is at hand. Therefore…keep loving one another earnestly.”

If the goal of the Christians as we saw in Luke 21 is to avoid falling into worldliness so that we may be prepared for the coming of Christ at the end history, then we need to be constant reminders to each other of the priceless truth of Jesus and the kingdom of God; we must love one another in the ways Jesus loved us and in so doing keep each other on the path of righteousness.

There are three ways from the text we should love like this.

First, we must love with grace by overlooking offense. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, and he does not punish us every time we sin. The grace of God is the most wonderful of gifts for the sinful Christian. It’s this same grace we must extend to others when we are offended in some way. Instead of responding to offense with indignation and anger, because of the grace of God, we may choose to overlook the offense and extend love and grace. In this way love covers a multitude of sins.

Second, we must be eager to pay the expense of hospitality. Hospitality is the generous and gracious treatment of guests. In the New Testament, hospitality was a defining characteristic of a Christian. In fact, to refuse hospitality to one in need was related to rejecting Jesus himself (Luke 10:38-42). It may be difficult or uncomfortable to invite a fellow Christian into your home or to help a Christian in need whom you do not know, but the willingness to pay the expense of hospitality for another Christian is a way we may love and care for one another.

Finally, we must use our spiritual gifts to serve one another. By the grace of God, each Christian has received at least one spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. Some of these gifts may include administration, apostleship, discernment, evangelism, exhortation, faith, giving, healing, interpretation, knowledge, leadership, mercy, miracles, pastor/shepherd, prophecy, service, teaching, tongues, wisdom (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28-30, Ephesians 4:11). Every Christian has a spiritual gift given to them by God and these gifts are to be used to serve the body of Christ. By using our gifts for the benefit of one another, we strengthen the body of Christ and guard one another against the deceit and temptations of the devil.

By loving each other in these three ways, we help one another to resist the pull of worldliness and remain strengthened and prepared for the end of all things.

Takeaways:

There are a few takeaways from this text that we would be wise to consider.

First, in these last days in which we live, we need God’s help to endure. We can’t resist the world or the devil on our own without the direct help of God which we receive through prayer.

Second, we also need one another. Even through the world is ending as we speak, we must make sure to keep loving each other because we need it! Without the Christ-centered love of fellow Christians, we will be drawn back into the world and lost forever.

Also, notice what Peter does not include in his list. He does not include anything about your blood family. Rather every he says is in relation to family in Christ. I don’t think it’s because family is not important, but in terms of what we need to endure to the end, family in Christ is more important. By definition, your family in Christ should always encourage you to follow Jesus while blood families don’t always do that.

Finally, notice the complete lack of physical things. There’s no list of what you need to store in your basement. The list is purely spiritual things: prayer and love. This is because God takes care of those who seek first his kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). There is wisdom in being physically prepared for catastrophe, but there is greater wisdom in being spiritually prepared through prayer and the selfless love of the body of Christ.

Conclusion:

So, if you want to be an effective doomsday prepper for the end of the world, give yourself to prayer and to loving the body of Christ which is the church. In these ways will you endure the destruction of the word and emerge faithful and victorious in Christ Jesus.

To God alone belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.