I can’t believe this is all happening so fast! Never thought I’d live to see the end coming, but here it is, bearing down on us like a runaway freight train. Right now, Satan is on his game as never before – he knows his time is about up, and he’s lighting this world up with every weapon in his arsenal. If they aren’t pointed at us, we’re doing something wrong.

I’m old now and retired, so if the weather’s not right for outdoor work I sit around watching videos on social media, and I’ve seen a lot of changes lately in the things that are presented. Recently there are lots of shows about end time prophecy with presenters giving differing viewpoints on what’s going on, in fact there are so many interpretations out there right now, if a person isn’t rightfully discerning, it would be easy to get confused. That’s what this post is about, we need to take a deep breath and get back to the fundamentals of our faith. We were told things would come unwound at the end, and if we find ourselves trying to jump on every train that comes by us, we might end up going somewhere we don’t need to be. We need to spend as much time as possible in study and prayer. And loving and encouraging each other while ignoring the whims of the world. Jesus stands ready to help us at every juncture, but we have to be willing to listen to Him. Sometimes that requires swallowing a lot of pride, which probably shouldn’t be there in the first place, and if it is, he’ll (often quite painfully) show us that too. Not because God enjoys putting us through painful experiences, but because we have probably spent too much of our lives pretending we are someone or something different than what we actually are. So, we have to get beyond the pride part to go the right way.

As far as pride goes, you can take this bit of advice from someone who has tasted enough crow to be quite familiar with it’s flavor. I’ve only experienced the downside of allowing pride to blind me to reality because God decided to show me things that I had long ignored, and yes, it was a difficult part of my journey, and things happened that caused me to even question my faith, but all in all it wasn’t a bad thing. Jesus said, [Revelation 3:19]: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” and what it says in Proverbs 3:12, “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” When we come out from under the cloud of chastisement, we are able to realize there was a reason for God allowing us to go through times of testing. And what an honor and a privilege to know He is taking the time to train us!

We are educated in the ways of the Spirit precisely to prepare us for things like these confusing days we are enduring. Jesus gave us our Spiritual education to be able to discern which of the many interpretations of prophecy are worth listening to. For instance, if whatever narrative you encounter does not give glory to Jesus Christ and honor Him, at best it is only superficial, but more often than not, it’s just plain false teaching. Satan has a lot of that out there nowadays. The dragon is at war with a greater ferocity than ever to destroy the woman. Of course, the woman is Jesus’ Church.

The first thing I look for is whether or not the narrator even mentions the name of Jesus. If not, it’s automatically false. Jesus said, [John 14:6]: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” So how could any message that excludes mention of Jesus be valid? If Jesus is mentioned, does the narrative mention Him in a positive and authoritative light? If not, it is highly suspect. There are many more devices to watch out for, and the Spirit will reveal them to you if you listen to Him. Jesus will not allow you to follow false teachings if your heart is right with Him. [Matthew 5:8]: “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” But again, being pure at heart might necessitate engaging in that ego-threatening battle with pride.

Another thing I’m noticing – it’s about the commercials out there nowadays. Have you noticed how they portray the purveyors of their products as being so very decadent, living so seemingly luxurious lifestyles that only the wealthy could entertain any semblance to them? Advertising vacations in luxury ski resorts, or tropical islands; advertising automobiles that only the wealthy could ever afford. People dressed in expensive clothes and sporting accoutrements such as expensive jewelry, and these ads are being watched for the most part by folks who are having a hard time paying their bills. What’s up with these commercials? Are we proles supposed to be eating our hearts out or mortgaging our homes to purchase whatever luxurious products or experiences they are hawking?

The Bible warns us in several places about the threat to our souls from being (or wanting to be) rich and the media world today seems to be telling everyone to desire earthly treasure and luxury. Do not fall into that trap! [James 5:5]; “You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” [Luke 6:24]: “But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.” Wealthy people are on a temporary visa – their ownership of wealth disappears when their hearts stop. Their fealty to Satan will no longer avail them once they leave this world. But they rarely stop to consider that. Most of them leastways. The part about the danger of being (or wishing to be) wealthy is just a time-proven tactic of Satan, but it’s being pressed in these end days, so when you hear those false preachers trying to conflate end time prophecy with “prosperity gospel”, just know they are simply and blindly trying to gain more wealth, oblivious to the ever increasing darkness around them.

Brothers and sisters who read these posts, please understand that this writer is dealing with the same problems you are going through, but trusting Jesus Christ as never before, and He’s showing us His faithfulness as never before. We are making our way through a very narrow gate – narrower than any of us realize, but if we stay faithful to Him, He will show us the way home. He wants us to make it, He’s willing to do anything it takes to help us. He’s even died for us, so never allow the enemy to make you feel like you’re alone, Jesus is always there, and He will be there to the end: [Matthew 28:20]: “…lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The best place to find and study prophecy is in your Bible. The Spirit will interpret what of it you need to understand. There may be a lot more there than what you can digest, but the Lord knows what you need.

And watch out for those AI generated narratives with their fancy proper British-sounding inflections, accents and CGI video backgrounds – if you pay attention, you can even pick up on its limited vocabulary and redundant phraseology. I really don’t think computers have the capability to understand nor disseminate God’s Word, nor especially Bible prophecy. At the very least, only pay attention to known God-fearing people and preachers you trust.

Don’t be dismayed or afraid as we approach the end of this age. there are still yet some difficult times ahead. As you’ve seen before on these posts, if Satan ain’t giving you problems, you’re doing something wrong. Stay strong. Stay faithful. Do not fear the servants of Satan – refusing to fear them is key to defeating them, for they live off fear and trepidation. Be particularly careful of whom you listen to as concerns prophecy and God’s will for you. Trust Jesus Christ and Him only.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK