A Call to Discipleship in the End Times

In the whirlwind of our daily lives, it’s all too easy to lose sight of the overarching narrative—God’s grand plan for this age. What does He desire from us in this era? To live wisely, it’s vital to ask this question, steering clear of presumptions and self-centered assumptions.

According to the Bible, discipleship is about living for God’s purposes. It goes beyond a moral code or rules; it’s about understanding and aligning ourselves with God’s plan for this age. Unfortunately, a lack of insight has reduced discipleship to a mere checklist of teachings, regulations, and habits.

Our core responsibility is to disciple people, but how can we effectively do so without understanding God’s plan? Jesus instructed us explicitly to make disciples of all nations, underscoring the centrality of discipleship in the Christian journey.

Discipleship: Beyond Instruction and Information
Making disciples isn’t just about imparting knowledge or enforcing behavioral changes. It entails a transformation of lifestyle—a reshaping that aligns with God’s overarching plan. True discipleship involves imitation, living in a way that reflects the character of Christ.

The Forgotten Mission: Discipleship
Despite the grandeur of the mission, the church often overlooks its primary responsibility—discipleship. While discussions about “finishing the task” of missions abound, Jesus set a different finish line: global discipleship. True missions, according to Jesus, is incomplete without discipleship.

We must recognize that discipleship is not a side quest but the main mission of the church in this age. It’s not just about spreading the gospel but about transforming lives to become true disciples of Christ.

The Most Overlooked End-Time Theme
Amidst discussions about the antichrist, great tribulation, and other end-time indicators, one theme remains remarkably overlooked—the revelation of God through His people. This revelation, promised in Scripture and inspired by the apostles, will precede Jesus’ return at the end of time.

The awe-inspiring act of God revealing Himself through Jesus will find its second expression in the revelation of His people. It’s a theme often neglected in our theological explorations, yet it holds a crucial key to understanding God’s end-time plans.

Discipleship Foundations: Knowing God’s Purpose
Understanding God’s end-time plans is a foundational aspect of discipleship, not just a theoretical exercise. The apostle Paul expresses a deep desire for the church to know God’s purpose. Without this wisdom, discipleship becomes superficial, lacking intentionality and wisdom.

Exploring Paul’s insights and tracing them back to Jesus’ prayer before His execution unveils the blueprint for the end-time church. Apostles dedicated their lives to fulfilling this prophecy, emphasizing its essential nature.

Conclusion: Are You Ready to Follow God’s Heart?
In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, the call to discipleship echoes louder than ever. God’s desire for this age is an invitation to align our lives with His grand plan. Discipleship is not a burdensome task but a thrilling journey that unfolds the mysteries of God’s purpose.

As we dive into the depths of biblical discipleship, let’s not forget the most overlooked theme—the revelation of God through His people. This theme will shape the end-time church in ways we cannot fully comprehend.

Are you ready to follow God’s heart? To embark on a discipleship journey that transcends the surface and delves into the profound wisdom of God’s purpose for this age? The answer lies in understanding, embracing, and actively participating in God’s grand plan—a plan that invites us to be part of His awe-inspiring revelation in the end times.

Verses for Reflection:

1. Great Commandment (Making Disciples):
Matthew 28:18-20:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

2. Discipleship:
Matthew 4:19:
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Mark 1:17:
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Mark 8:34:
“Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.'”

John 8:31:
“To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.'”

3. End-Time Theme (Revelation of Jesus’ People):
Revelation 19:7-8:
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

4. Paul’s Longing:
Ephesians 1:17-19:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Colossians 1:9-10:
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way.”

5. Jesus’ Prayer:
John 17
(The entire chapter contains Jesus’ high priestly prayer.)

6. Formation of a People:
1 Peter 2:9:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”