By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)
Paging through the menu screen of our television, I stumbled across a program called “Doomsday Preppers”. Curiosity got the best of me so I watched a few minutes to see what the program was all about.
This so-called “reality show” peeks into the lives of individuals making preparations for the end of the world. Out of obvious fear they stockpile huge quantities of food and water, weapons, and other survival tools to insure survival. Some have even built special underground shelters to keep them safe in the event of a catastrophic incident. I’m all for being prepared to face the end of the world. I just go about it a little differently. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)
Why would anyone put their faith into a structure built by human hands when they can rest in the shadow of the Almighty—the One who made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them? “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
The end is coming because the Bible clearly warns us of the fact. But if we are in Christ we have nothing to fear. Death is merely a pathway leading us to eternal life in heaven. The end is really just the beginning.
The Bible says the earth will be burned up and the old order of things will pass away. Why would we want to hold on to this world when what comes next is so much better? “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
We need to prepare for the end by gathering our loved ones and teaching them about Jesus. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)
We need to prepare for the end by growing closer to God and learning all we can about Him. “Wisdom preserves those who have it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12b)
We need to prepare for the end by making sure that everyone we know is coming to heaven with us.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:1-3)
Our goal should be revival—not survival.
