The vision of the end-time church is woven with the threads of maturity, size, and global influence. However, a distinct characteristic emerges—extravagant worship and prayer. This key element is not merely routine but a global, profound cry challenging even the reign of the Antichrist.
Revelation 22:17 (NASB)
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”
Characteristics of the End-Time Church:
- Maturity: The end-time church will mature, marked by spiritual depth and understanding.
- Size: It will be significant in numbers, a vast assembly reflecting Revelation 7:9–17’s harvest.
- Global Reach: Victory will be witnessed in every people group, showcasing a global, triumphant church.
Extravagant Worship with Prayer:
- Defining Worship and Prayer: Worship acknowledges who God is, while prayer aligns with His desires. The end-time songs and prayers intertwine both aspects.
- Prophetic Indicators: Revelation 22:17 predicts a global cry for Jesus’ return, a triumphant expression challenging the Antichrist.
Prophetic Fulfillment:
- Psalms and Isaiah’s Prophecies: Psalms 96, 98, and Isaiah 24, 42 envision a global chorus, extravagant worship, and a climactic expression during the Antichrist’s reign.
- Isaiah 62: The end-time church is portrayed as watchmen, interceding ceaselessly, and partnering with God’s promises for Israel.
Priestly Ministry in the Nations:
- Malachi’s Prophecy: Worship in every place, day and night, is foreseen, connecting the church’s priestly role to Israel’s restoration.
Jesus’ Desire for Worship and Prayer:
- Luke 17 Parable: Jesus urges continuous intercession, emphasizing faith in persistent prayer.
- Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–10): Praying for God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven aligns with Revelation’s heavenly worship scenes.
Paul’s Mission to Establish Worship and Prayer:
- Romans 15: Paul applies Old Testament worship passages to the Gentiles, emphasizing worship’s centrality.
- Antioch’s Model: Acts 13 showcases a church ministering to the Lord, embodying temple-like worship in congregational life.
Intercession of the Mature End-Time Church:
- Revelation’s Scenes:
Worship and prayers of the saints are presented as incense, influencing God’s end-time activities. - John Piper’s Perspective:
Missions serve worship’s ultimate goal, highlighting the church’s call to labor for extravagant worship in the nations.
Biblical Pattern:
- Edenic Priesthood: Adam’s priestly role involved worship, initiating God’s plan for worship-filled expansion.
- David’s Tabernacle: David’s emphasis on night-and-day worship symbolized a prophetic expression of God’s future intention.
- Early Church Examples: John the Baptist’s prayer emphasis, Jesus’ teachings on prayer, and the early church’s dedication to worship were prototypes for the end-time church.
Conclusion: The end-time church is envisioned as a mature, expansive, and globally impactful body, marked by extravagant worship and intercession. This prophetic vision aligns with biblical patterns from Eden to the early church, emphasizing the central role of worship in God’s redemptive plan. As the Spirit and the bride say, “Come,” the end-time church’s extravagant worship and intercession will echo, ushering in the fulfillment of God’s promises.