What To Do When The End Is Near
READ 1 Peter 4
1 Peter 4:7-8, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
The Apostle Peter is writing to suffering believers who had been scattered abroad because of their suffering. And many believe, in this context, "the end of all things is at hand" refers to the end of life as it was known and being lived by the Jews. In 70 A.D. the Roman general Titus destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, and an even greater dispersion resulted. Whenever an end is in view it powerfully gets our attention.
One day our end will arrive, either through death or the rapture. Either way, contemplating the end of our lives should bring an element of increased sobriety, love, and prayer. It is the end of life that makes us realize the certainty of meeting our Creator. Judgment is certain, Hebrews 9:27, "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
Peter calls those who realize the end is near, to a life of sobriety, prayerfulness, and intensified love. To be sober is to be temperate, thoughtful, and self-restrained. As we see the world becoming less temperate, less thoughtful, and overwhelmingly promiscuous, it is a definite sign they (of the world) know NOT the "end is near." We are to "watch unto prayer," which speaks of being awake and alert in prayer. We need more people who will pray! We need Christians to wake up and engage the God of Heaven through prayer! How is your prayer life?
Finally, we are told, above all things to have fervent charity among ourselves. The church is a "brotherhood" for which Jesus died, and, rather than becoming bitter and unforgiving toward our Christian brothers and sisters, we should love so intensely that it covers "the multitude of sins" that people are able to commit that are offensive to us. Are you filled with fervent charity? Peter expressed this need earlier in this epistle, 1 Peter 1:22, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." We are to love each other fervently!!! The greatest virtue of any Christian, and the badge of genuine conversion, is loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).
May we understand today that "the end of all things" is closing in upon us. God's instruction through Peter is that we be sober, prayerful, and intensely loving in our deeds and attitudes. May our light shine in these dark days in which we are living.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. How does thinking about the end of anything impact you? The end of the world, the end of your life, etc.
2. Describe how you perceive the end of your life and what that entails.
3. How does contemplating the end of your life impact the way you live? Does it make a difference?
4. What does it mean to be sober, to be watchful in prayer, and possess a fervent love?