These are certainly days to watch the headlines.
Yes, it’s informative to read the articles too. But even just scanning the headlines alone in your newspaper or favorite news website can give you a good idea of the way our world is drifting. You can almost hear our planet’s groans and sighs as it awaits the King who will redeem it.
An article I read recently claimed that Al-Qaeda, the notorious terrorist group that claimed responsibilities for the 9/11 attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, is now on the brink of acquiring nuclear deadly nuclear devices. Quoting certain leaked diplomatic cables, the article said that Al-Qaeda was on the verge of producing radioactive weapons—after sourcing nuclear material and recruiting rogue scientists to build “dirty” bombs.
That’s a headline that makes you pause, shake your head a little and maybe whisper, “Wow. What’s next?”
What are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to respond when we hear things like this? Panic? Give in to anxiety? Fill our garage up to the rafters with emergency supplies?
No, that’s not what Jesus said. In Luke 21:28, He declared: “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”
Don’t you like that? We’re not to look from side to side, like people who are anxious or nervous, and we’re not to look down, like people who are discouraged. We are to look up, as people who know where their help and salvation are coming from.
So here’s the question: Now that we’ve established that we are likely living in the last days, how are we supposed to live as believers? What sorts of qualities should characterize our attitudes and our lives?
We should be seeking to live godly lives as we await the coming of Jesus.
Thinking back to some verses in the book of Exodus, Moses told the people to get rid of the old leaven in their homes—every bit of it—in preparation for Passover, and in preparation for a journey. The people were about to set out for new lives in the promised land, and they needed to clean out their cupboards before they left.
We too have a journey up ahead. In just a few blinks of the eye, we will be stepping into eternity, either through death or through the coming of the Lord. With that in mind, it’s time to get rid of some old things—old habits, old attitudes, old prejudices, old patterns of life—so we’ll be ready for the journey.
Scripture says that Jesus will come in a moment. In the “twinkling of an eye.” And those who believe will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. But not everybody will go up in the rapture. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 24:
“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So be prepared because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming” (Matt. 24:40-42, NLT).
So here is my question to you. Will you be caught up or will you be left behind?
I hope you are ready.
Prayer Power for the Week of June 23, 2019
This week, make sure you are prepared for the coming of Christ. Continue to pray for our nation and its allies. Ask God to surround our president with godly counsel and to give him and those working with him wisdom to lead the nation and make righteous decisions. Pray for our military and their families, and for revival to ignite in our churches and spread throughout the country. Read: 2 Chronicles 7:24, Matthew 24:40-42.
For more from Greg Laurie, listen to the podcast included with this article.
Bill Wiese 
Paul McGuire 
