In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says concerning the end times that no one knows the hour or the day of his return, except God alone. However, just before this, he lists signs of the end times and says in Matthew 24:33-34, “When you see these things happening, recognize that the end is near. Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."

In today’s featured verses above, Isaiah is prophesying about the end times, those things that will happen during the last generation before Jesus returns to gather his people. We saw the fulfillment of this prophecy begin to come to pass in 1948, as Israel was reborn. Since that time, the Jewish people have returned to their homeland, just as Isaiah prophesied.

One in every thirty verses of the New Testament refers to the return of Jesus, and these end-times prophecies will all be fulfilled in one generation. This means that Israel’s rebirth in 1948, other end-time prophecies that have been fulfilled, and the fulfillment of those yet to come, including the prophecies concerning Armageddon, will happen within the same generation.

Think about that. If indeed the end times began in 1948, we are living in the end of the end times. What must you do to make sure you are ready for his return?

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come humbly before You and ask that You help me to rid my life of everything that might cause me or anyone around me to miss the second coming of Your Son, Jesus when he returns for his bride. Search my heart, O Lord, and show me if there is any evil in me. As I repent, I ask that You give me the strength to walk away from every sin and the weights that keep me from a right relationship with You. I not only want to live according to Your Word for myself but also for those around me who are watching my life. Give me the wisdom, boldness, and strength to lead others to You. I give You praise, honor, and glory, Father because You alone are worthy. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

As you pray today’s prayer, sincerely ask God to show you everything that would keep you from spending eternity with Him. Be ready to sense His response and act on it. Write down anything you hear Him speaking to your heart, then write out a commitment to Him that you will follow through with. Likewise, ask Him to show you what you should do, and write out a commitment for those promptings as well. Read these commitments daily as a reminder for each day to make your life about Him, rather than yourself.