Watch and Be Ready

Paul’s living example shows us that love is the way to prepare. Love focuses on relationship and reunion with the returning King.

The difference is profound: fearful believers watch for signs to avoid tribulation. They’re caught up in self-preservation, whether from suffering or from God’s judgment. Meanwhile, loving believers view signs as heralds of the Lover of their souls, their dearest Friend, and their Saviour.

But here’s the tragedy: Many believers approach living during the end time with anxiety rather than anticipation, fear rather than love, and dread rather than desire. They study prophecy to avoid suffering rather than to better anticipate meeting Jesus face to face. They watch for signs to escape rather than to welcome, at last, their loving King. This misses the entire purpose of Jesus’ end-time teaching to cultivate love that yearns for His return because it cannot bear the separation any longer.