For such a time as this.” “Salt and light.” Very familiar concepts. Many Christians sense we are living in a critical time of world history. For every generation since Jesus was on this earth, however, it has always been important to be “salt” and “light” to those who do not know Him. I want to be like the sons of Issachar, “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32).

The Bible clearly states that Jesus will return someday to earth and reward those who believe in Him with eternal life. This belief has at times hindered some Christians from taking practical steps for disaster preparedness, believing God will spare them such tragedies. This mindset is not wise and is not consistent with the wisdom taught in Scripture nor is it consistent with an understanding of history, biblical or secular.

The Bible also states graphically that there will be troubles on earth prior to His return. The worst of these times is known as Jacob’s Trouble or the Great Tribulation. Prior to the events of Jacob’s Trouble, there will be a period of wars, famines, diseases, earthquakes, and other disasters. It is not hard to fit current events into this list. The duration of these problems leading up to the Great Tribulation is not known.

As I mentioned in the introduction, several important prophetic voices are giving warnings of impending judgment, including Rabbi Jonathan Cahn in his books The Harbinger and The Mystery of the Shemitah. Pastor Mark Biltz has written Blood Moons: Decoding the Imminent Heavenly Signs and is indicating that major prophetic events are very likely to happen in the 2014 to 2015 timeframe. The blood moons refer to possible judgment regarding Israel and the two solar eclipses during this time portend judgment on the nations.

No one knows the exact timing of the return of Jesus. Many followers of Jesus believe we are in the period of time leading up to the Great Tribulation. The biblical analogy is that of a woman giving birth. A characteristic of labor is that the contractions gradually get closer together and their strength intensifies.

Many people sense the problems that the world is experiencing are becoming more frequent and are of a greater magnitude than ever before. While the Bible is silent as to the exact timing of His return, it admonishes everyone to be prepared for His coming. 

THE ESSEN CE OF BEIN G A FOLLO WER OF JESUS

The call to preparedness, however, is not primarily because of looming storm clouds. It lies at the very core of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. As a father, I have a biblical responsibility toward my wife and family. Not to care and provide for them is to be worse than an unbeliever. We are to be “salt and light” in this world. We are to be “Good Samaritans” to our neighbors.

We are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We are to treat others as we would want them to treat us. When filled with the love of Jesus and the Spirit of God, believers have answers to the heart cries of people who are hurting spiritually as well as physically.