People all over the world sense we are coming to the end of something, and they are right. All things the way we know them, are coming to an end. “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7-11) Time is indeed short and End Time prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes. This powerful prophetic passage gives us eight directives in the light of: the final revival and ingathering of souls; the coming judgment of the Church and the World; the return of Christ; the end of the age, and the new millennium.

1. “Be serious (sober).” (vs7) “Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world.” (2 Tim 4:10) Don’t let the push or the pull of this present world, push you out of God’s plan for your life.
   
   
2. “Be watchful in your prayers.” (vs 7) “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:41) This means we must be aware of what’s going on around us and take it to God in prayer before taking it to the streets in protest.
   
   
3. “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” (vs 8) We must learn to love, accept, and forgive imperfect people, realizing that we are all equal but different - male and female, Jew and Gentile. In the western world we come from every tribe, tongue, nation, and people group in the whole world. This means we each have to deal with any trace of racism within ourselves. We must love what is excellent and accept what is still under construction.
   
   
4. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” (vs 9) To be hospitable means being willing to help relieve the pain and suffering of others, including strangers. (Gal 6:10) The Covid-19 pandemic, has changed the way we live, whether we like it or not. Many are bored, many are afraid, and many are hurting. Be hospitable.
   
   
5. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (vs10) It’s wonderful when your gift becomes somebody else’s miracle from God! “Do not neglect the gift that is in you.” (1 Tim 4:14) Am I neglecting the gift that is in me? “Stir up the gift of God which is in you.” (2 Tim 1:6) How can I stir up the gift of God that is in me?
   
   
6. “If anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God.” (vs 11) Our words have the power to heal or to hurt. As believers, we are God’s voice to our world. We need to make sure that when we speak, we are saying what He would say. (Col 4:6) “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Secular news is so negative it can become very disheartening. But “a word spoken in due season how good it is!” (Prov 15:23)
   
   
7. “If anyone ministers (serves) let him do it with the ability which God supplies” (vs 11) Following Jesus and doing what He tells you to do is what turns Superficial Christians into Supernatural Christians. There is nothing boring about serving Jesus! “Freely you have received freely give.” (Matt 10:8)
   
   
8. “That in all things God may be glorified through Christ Jesus.” (vs 11) Let false motives, pride, and selfish ambitions be revealed and rooted out. Going through tough times has taught me that God wants to change our hearts before He changes our circumstances. Repentance and cleansing precede healing and advancement. Tough times never last, but tough people do!

If you waste your time, you waste your life. These eight positive directives will keep you prepared, positioned, and productive. We are standing on the brink of the most dangerous and exciting times ever. Are you ready to occupy until He comes? Let’s not sit back, hold back, draw back, or drop out! Let’s do all that we can with what we have as long as we’re able! When we go out, let’s go out in a blaze of glory!

To God be the Glory forever and ever Amen!

Dr. George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International