Over the last few weeks, I have been confronted with many questions that relate to end-time prophecies. Is this pandemic part of it? Will this be the start of the one-world government? Why has God allowed this to happen? Is this His wrath on the world? Is this a man-made virus or 5G? Or did it come from a market in Wuhan China?
From my own perspective as a prophet, I have been led by the Lord not to focus on the question of why. Instead, He has led me on a journey on how to walk through this season successfully. By sharing this invitation with others we can all come out of isolation refined, equipped and ready for the new season to come. Today, I am going to try to give some insight into why I believe the Lord has lead me this way. I feel we need to be careful with end-time prophecies as they can lead us into false expectations and to establish wrong values and mis-understandings.
These prophecies try to explain; why and when it will happen and how the Lord is going to do things (These being the mysteries of God). Often these prophecies can lead people to a place of confusion and fear. For example, over the years many people have walked away from jobs, family and the world around them as they believed a prophecy that Jesus was about to return. They left everything and simply waited. When Jesus did not return they were left in disillusion, despair with tremendous loss.
Below are verses that tell us, no one knows including the angels and Jesus the day or the time, only the Father really knows the day and time He will send His Son. The main theme or message through all these passages is to be ready. If Jesus turned up tonight. Are you ready?
“Concerning that day and exact hour, no one knows when it will arrive, not the angels of heaven, not even the Son—only the Father knows. This is why you must be waiting, watching and praying, because no one knows when that season of time will come.” (Mark 13:32-33 (Passion Translation NT)
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be (2 Peter 3:10 NIV)
Many years ago, I planned a holiday for my now wife. I didn’t tell her we were going away, so she wasn’t prepared. At 4 am I woke her up and said, ‘What would you do if I told you we were about to go on a holiday today? She wasn’t sure if I was joking or not so went back to sleep. Then the limo turned up. While half asleep and in a flurry, with uncertainty, she packed as fast as she could. Is it possible it could be the same for some of us on the day and hour Jesus returns?
So do prophecies of the end-times have a place? Yes. As there are many times throughout the bible you will read them and even Jesus speaks about what will happen on those days to come. So what are they for?
They teach us to prepare, plan but not to predict! To simply encourage us and bring our attention to, that one day Jesus will be coming back. So we can be ready and prepare others by sharing His story with them so they are ready too.
Here is your challenge today read through the following verses and ask yourself are you ready for when Jesus comes?
Matthew 24:36, 42 – 44,50
Matthew 25:13
Mark 13:32-33,35
Luke 12:40,46
Revelation 3:3
1 Thessalonians 5:2,4
2 Thessalonians 2:2
2 Peter 3:10
Are your love ones, friends, family, neighbours ready?
If not you have work to do.
To help you I have enclosed a salvation prayer, as the only certainty we have on that day He returns is a relationship with Him.
Lord, I know I am a sinner,
I believe you died on the cross for my sins.
I ask you to come into my heart and manage my life from this day on and be my Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
Father, I thank you for your message today, that reflects the weekend just been. I thank you that made a way through son on the cross and raise Him again as a prophecy that one day, we who believe will be risen too and have eternal life. Thank you, Jesus! Amen!
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/ Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
