1999, 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, and 2015.

Those are just some of the years people predicted Jesus would return to earth.

And that’s just in the last 20 years and not counting all of the other “last days” predictions that had nothing to do with Jesus. There were plenty more before that, and there will be plenty more predictions for when He might return in our future. Google it if you really want to see the list.

But WHY? Why do we spend time trying to figure out when Jesus is coming back, or listening to the predictions, when Jesus plainly told us Himself in Matthew 24:42, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Because we want to be prepared.

We want to know how to protect ourselves and our families and loved ones.

We want to make sure we have our acts together.

Who wouldn’t?

But here’s what we can’t forget: The clock is moving, no matter what.

While it’s true that we’re seeing plenty of signs that make it look like we’re living in the “last days,” it doesn’t matter whether Jesus returns in your lifetime or not, and whether it’s the earth’s last days or the end times or not, because YOU have just ONE life to live.

If you read the rest of Matthew 24, you’ll see that Jesus was warning the disciples not to be alarmed or deceived by what they would see happen in the world. He uses an example of a burglar breaking into a house to warn the disciples to stay expectant of His return at all times:

Jesus told us He would return when we don’t expect Him, so why are we so eager to recognize the signs of the times? So we can minister to more people? So we can do what’s right before we run out of time? So we can stand watch at the door right before the “burglar” shows up?

Jesus said we should keep constant watch and always be prepared.

So, the most important question isn’t “Are these the “last days?”

The most important question is:

If Jesus comes back tomorrow, will you be happy with what you did today?

Because whether we are or aren’t living in THE last days, we are living in OUR last days.

You and I only have a certain amount of time to make an impact, so we should always live our lives as if Jesus were returning tomorrow.

We need to make every minute count.

Proverbs 20:4 says, “A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.”

This version says sluggard but it also means people who procrastinate .

It’s easy to procrastinate. We all do it. We put things off until later. We say we’ll get to it when we “get a chance.” Some of us even justify our procrastination by saying we “work better under pressure.”

This quote about procrastination really hits home:

See, if you think that you can procrastinate and still have the same harvest you would’ve had if you hadn’t procrastinated, you’re wrong .

Because whether you like it or not, we live in seasons. We have to understand the seasons and the timing of things. We have to know how and when .

We have to recognize that there are times when we need to prepare, times when we need to sow, and times when we need to harvest.

This is a season to prepare.

People send our ministry emails all of the time asking us if Jesus is coming back. We tell them, “Yes, He is.”

Of course, we can’t tell you if He’s coming back today or tomorrow or 20 years from now, but we know He’s one day closer to coming back today than He was yesterday.

You don’t need an angel to show up in your bedroom tonight to tell you that the world is getting darker. Just turn on the news for two minutes.

First Thessalonians 5 tells us that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night:

You may have heard that part of the Scripture before, but keep reading…

Did you see that?

YOU, as a believer, are not in darkness, so the day of the Lord should NOT surprise you like a thief.

We know He’s coming back at some point, but we don’t have to be caught off guard.

So, what should you be doing to prepare in this season? What do you need to know and do?

#1 – Make every minute count by keeping your focus and priority on God, be sure you’re in faith and living it, and glorify God with your life and your choices.Jesus told us He would return when we don’t expect Him, so why are we so eager to recognize the signs of the times, Because we want to be prepared.

#2 – Recognize that strategy and timing are essential to every area of life. The mystery of strategy and timing is one of the greatest mysteries in the Word of God, and it’s one you have to understand if you expect to capture the harvest opportunities God will show you.

First Corinthians 2:6-16 tell us that if Satan had figured out the plan of God, he would have never killed Jesus. The devil would have adjusted his strategy if he had picked up on the plan of God. This is true for you too.

Satan will adjust his strategies against you if he can pick up on God’s plans for your life.

God’s primary tactic against the enemy is to surprise him with unusual strategies, which God gives a man or woman in the earth to bring His will in any given situation. Read 1 Samuel 17, and you can clearly see that David’s victory against Goliath was accomplished by using an unusual strategy—a plan that caught the enemy off guard. Many Christians don’t understand this vital law of spiritual warfare.

All too often, we get an idea from God and we procrastinate; we lose valuable time; we tip off the enemy. Then, by the time we move on it, we run into all kinds of issues and problems because the enemy has had time to line up interference against it.

Because it isn’t just the unusual strategy that makes you successful, it’s the timing .

David ran to meet Goliath. He didn’t procrastinate. He didn’t go have lunch, check on his sheep, and take a nap. He took action. He made every moment count.

#3 – Understand the times we’re living in —know what’s going on, and prepare for the future.

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As a friend of this ministry, we want to help you make every minute count; help you get a better understanding of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God—like strategy and timing—than you’ve ever had before; and help you know more about the season we’re living in and how you can prepare.

That’s why we’ve pulled together an incredible resource package for you that includes:

I’m so excited to share these messages with you! It’s prophecy that helps prepare us for future events—that gives us a glimpse of the future so that we can make every minute count in the present.

Click here to get your copy of this new mentorship resource today!

The post Are These Really the “Last Days”? Know How to Be Prepared. appeared first on Gary Keesee Ministries.