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If we didn't know that the above title is derived from the First Epistle of Peter and is nearly 2000 years old, it could easily be mistaken for a current newspaper headline. For we live in turbulent times: Corona, war, a turning point in history, more war, economic crisis. Completely unexpectedly, the 75-year era of prosperity and political peace in Europe was interrupted.
For a long time, it seemed as if reason would always prevail over violence and escalation. The memories of the last world war were too painful for anyone to risk such immense suffering again. "Never again" was the unanimous sentiment. But now it's happening again. The world is increasingly sinking into chaos. Unfortunately, humanity all too readily forgets that it is not humankind, but God Himself who guides the course of events in the world and inevitably achieves His purpose.
What happens is not random, but subject to clearly predetermined plans over which humankind has no influence. But how far have we progressed in relation to this divine plan? And what else can be expected on the path to the Millennium? Almost everyone is preoccupied with the question of what awaits humanity next.
While most people agree, the awareness is growing that we must be very close to the end of all things as we know them. This awareness is not primarily fueled by subjective emotion, but is based on the foundation of Holy Scripture. Jesus himself said, while he was still on earth: “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch gets tender and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matthew 24:32-34).
The fig tree is inextricably linked to the people of Israel in the Bible. For many centuries, there was no state of Israel. The Jews were scattered across the earth. It was not until 1948 that Israel was re-established as a nation. In 1967, Jerusalem became Israel's undivided capital. Jesus refers to the development of the chosen people in particular when discussing the end times.
It is very interesting to note that the global focus is enormously on this tiny country in the Middle East. This fact was particularly evident after Hamas's attack on Israel. Even the ever-present war in Ukraine suddenly faded into the background. The world, too, senses that this corner of the earth will assume enormous significance in the future. Israel is, in fact, the hand on God's world clock, and in our times, this hand is in tremendous motion.
But how should a young person behave in these times? All around, certainties are dwindling, and basic conditions seem to deteriorate almost daily. Objectively, there is little cause for joy. The world is in a state of utter helplessness. Isn't it more than understandable that fear is spreading everywhere? If the entire focus is on life on this earth, then absolutely. Because then humanity is doomed to perish along with this world, since this planet truly has no future. In that sense, the great depression we are currently experiencing is more than understandable, because human nature is inexorably heading towards its end.
But not such a follower of Christ! The Bible calls us to rejoice and lift up our heads when we see all this. For the harbingers that bring suffering and destruction on the one hand, proclaim to us on the other that redemption is near! And not only that: We find very clear instructions in God's Word about how we are to behave during this interim period.
The Apostle Peter writes in his first letter: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and sober-minded so that you may pray. Above all, love one another earnestly, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:7-8).
What stark contrasts to current events emerge here! In the following, we will examine each of the listed topics in detail, as they contain some essential qualities that we, as the younger generation, need in today's turbulent times.
Be sensible!
People tend to act impulsively and display strong emotions, especially under pressure. Peter, however, urges the exact opposite: thoughtful self-control to avoid harmful, hasty actions and decisions. A fitting biblical example is King Saul. Surrounded by enemies and abandoned by his own people, he decides, in just such a stressful situation, to offer the sacrifice to God himself and not to wait for the prophet Samuel (see 1 Samuel 13).
The consequence of this rash action was ultimately the loss of his kingship. In spiritual terms, rash action can, in the worst case, mean the loss of one's sonship with God.
We repeatedly encounter recklessness in the story of Judge Samson, who ultimately paid with his life for carelessly revealing the divine secret to his enemies. How often, however, can we observe that young people today are prone to reckless, thoughtless behavior?
How thoughtlessly some young people choose their partners, for example, and what problems this can cause for the rest of their lives! And that is precisely the devil's goal: namely, that people lose the ability to respond thoughtfully to life's challenges. Yet we have been promised that we have received the spirit of self-discipline (cf. 2 Tim 1:7)!
Let us then make ample use of this gift in our lives.
Be sober!
Keeping the focus on what is essential, being directed toward what is purposeful—it is about nothing less than salvation with God. This is what Peter speaks of in the verse above. Even though he refers specifically to prayer, which we will discuss in more detail later, he sets out a fundamental prerequisite: namely, a state of sobriety. How difficult it is for Western Christians today to be sober. The devil has many tools at his disposal today to prevent young people from behaving soberly.
In times of ubiquitous internet access, social media, streaming services, and so on, he has an easy time with many things. Screen time is a sad testament to this. It's telling: although, as mentioned above, we live in truly turbulent times, many young Christians seem hardly bothered! The devil is trying to conceal the fact of the imminent end from the church, lulling it into a false sense of security.
Added to this is the constant availability of diverse doctrines today, which call into question many fundamental truths that God has revealed to us through His Word and His Holy Spirit. The result is a generation distracted from what is essential, which risks being found at the end of time as a foolish virgin.
The example of Ananias and Sapphira shows us the great danger of losing focus on what is essential. When other things or people become more important to us than God himself, failure is inevitable. The consequence is the selfish pursuit of personal goals and separation from the church of God.
Be a person of prayer!
How much so many young people lack prayer! Yet it is one of the most effective weapons against the cunning attacks of the enemy. James pragmatically illustrates the tremendous power of prayer. Elijah, he writes, was a man like us. But what made his ministry so incredibly effective was prayer, which, among other things, led to years without rain in Israel (cf. James 5:17-18). "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16), James adds.
How sad it is, then, to observe that traditional prayer services are among the least attended, despite their enormous importance. Peter emphasizes prayer as essential for survival in our time. All of God's great heroes were people of prayer.
Jesus regularly withdrew into solitude to have fellowship with His Father in prayer. If His ministry depended on it, how much more so does ours? The passages in Revelation about the importance of the saints' prayers give us a glimpse of the powerful spiritual weapon God has given us. If only we would use it. Prayer can change everything: the situation, the person, our other problems.
God answers sincere prayers. We see this in the case of the centurion Cornelius, whose prayers prompted God to send Peter to him. Or in the case of the prophet Daniel, who fervently supplicated before God, and to whom God sent an angel with the answer. Moses was able to remain in God's presence for weeks; the infant Samuel even lived in the temple.
Also significant is the widow Hannah in the New Testament, who spent years praying and fasting and never left the temple. No wonder God revealed to her that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Live in love!
Peter emphasizes this last point in particular. He introduces it with his prominent "above all." He deliberately places this quality before the others. Paul does the same in his first letter to the Corinthians. In chapter 13, he places love above all else. It is therefore wonderful to observe how God repeatedly emphasizes what is most important in various places in the Bible.
If only it were as easy for us to put what we read into practice! It's comparatively easy to love those who share our opinions, who live the same theology, and who appreciate the same music. But when someone is, in our view, wrong, perhaps too strict or too lenient, love and understanding often quickly disappear. Yet love is supposed to be the number one distinguishing characteristic among Christians (cf. John 13:35).
Jesus even went so far as to love his betrayer. It was love that drove him to the cross. How understandable, then, that his followers should love one another dearly, indeed, even show each other respect. Peter writes that love covers sin, meaning it doesn't expose it or hold grudges.
How pleasant it is to be surrounded by people who carry this divine love within them! And how wonderful it is to be filled with this love oneself and to be able to pass it on to those who thirst for it.
In addition to the important points from Peter's Epistle already discussed, two further aspects that concern us all will be added below. Jesus himself warns: “But be careful, lest your hearts be weighed down with drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day come on you suddenly. For it will come like a snare to all who live on the face of the whole earth” (Luke 21:34-35).
Here too, it is emphasized that the end will inevitably come. However, the believer should not live haphazardly from day to day, but rather their life should be characterized in particular by the following features:
Renunciation of the lust of the flesh
What Jesus describes here as "intoxication and drunkenness" is representative of a life characterized by debauchery. Where the desires of the flesh are indulged, there is no longer any room for concentrating on the coming Kingdom of God. Human beings become slaves to their urges and, as such, are incapable of focusing on the spiritual.
The dangers here are manifold. They range from the consumption of conventional intoxicants like alcohol or nicotine to excessive lifestyles and sexual immorality. Some people also intoxicate themselves with their own bodies, investing many hours each week in gyms or in front of the mirror, starving themselves and making sacrifices solely to surpass everyone else in beauty and strength. Others, in turn, allow themselves to be intoxicated by their professional success or social standing.
Regardless of the specific details, Jesus calls these lifestyles a burden for the spiritual person. They undoubtedly represent a barrier on the path to God, and this barrier must be overcome permanently and without exception.
The very prosperity that surrounds us harbors a great danger. It tempts us to focus solely on a worldly, egocentric life. However, we must not forget that this way of life was the downfall of Sodom and Gomorrah.
For God says in Ezekiel: “Behold, this was the sin of your sister Sodom: pride, plenty of food, and carefree comfort were her and her daughters; but they never lifted a hand to the poor and needy, but they were proud and committed abominations before me; therefore I also destroyed them when I saw it” (Ezekiel 16:49-50).
So we see that it is very important to be vigilant in these areas.
Do not worry
Easier said than done, isn't it? While many of us may have breathed a sigh of relief and thanked God for our freedom in these areas after reading the previous chapter, almost no one can claim to be exempt from this point. Because we all certainly struggle with worries.
Jesus even speaks very practically here about the worries of everyday life: worries about daily bread, clothing, school, work, family, the future, money, etc. Is it really possible to live completely without worries?
When I look at Peter's behavior in the Acts of the Apostles, I have to answer this question in the affirmative. Knowing that his fellow believer James had already been murdered and that Peter faced the same fate at the hands of Herod the next day, he did not spend what was possibly the last night of his life in trembling fear. Nor did he join the congregation in pleading with God on his behalf.
No, Peter was fulfilling a deeply human need: he was sleeping. And so soundly, in fact, that he thought he was merely dreaming his deliverance by the angel. Only once he was out on the street did he fully regain consciousness. What boundless trust in his God!
Jesus draws the same negative conclusion for worrying as for a carnal life: the believer's heart becomes burdened. An unreserved focus on encountering God is then no longer possible. Therefore, we would do well to surrender our worries to God.
The preacher Spurgeon once said on this subject: "Anxiety does not take away tomorrow's worry, but it takes away today's strength."
And we need every percentage point of spiritual strength. Jesus repeatedly emphasized that the road to salvation is not a walk in the park. It's a marathon. Paul underscores the same point in his first letter to the Corinthians when he writes that he wants to complete this spiritual race in such a way that he emerges victorious (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Worries are like a lead vest, constantly pulling us down. So let's cast off our worries and focus entirely on the spiritual racetrack.
Summary
Composed, sober, prayerful, loving, spiritual, and carefree – in summary, we see that the Bible very clearly defines the framework for behavior during the last days and formulates clear recommendations for action. How beneficial it is when we not only know these things in theory, but rather live them out in practice. For this topic concerns each and every one of us.
Jesus spoke extensively about the end times. He was acutely aware that the people of his time would not experience most of what he spoke of. But he knew that one day a generation would live that could very well apply the times of the end described in the Bible to their own era. It would therefore be absolutely disastrous for our generation to behave like the lazy servant in Jesus' parable and think that our master is still a long way off (cf. Luke 12:45ff).
Woe to such a Christian! We have known, at least since the founding of the State of Israel, that Jesus is near. And we also understand that, with the pandemic and the ongoing wars, we have entered a new era. Even politicians speak of a turning point. Where will the end be? Only God knows.
For us, the younger generation, it is essential to remain vigilant under all circumstances, to seek God and His will, and to lead a holy life. There is still so much to be done in the Kingdom of God. Young people, in particular, have many opportunities to serve God fully. This service out of love leads to deep spiritual fulfillment. Based on God's promises, we can then look forward to the return of our Lord without fear and with spiritual anticipation.
Every day inevitably brings us closer to this event. Paul writes pragmatically that there is no doubt: "We are closer to the last day than we were to the time of our conversion."
What do you associate with this day? Fear – or joyful anticipation?
Juri Langletz
Municipality of Cloppenburg