End Times preparations must begin now, says John Piper

Believers should prepare for the end times and should take seriously their calling to let their lamps shine, according to John Piper.

Referring to the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25, Piper explained the difference between those who are wisely preparing for the end times and those who are not, and he challenged believers to examine if they are ready for Christ's return.

Piper, the founder of DesiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary, said the 10 virgins mentioned in the parable all had lamps, but only five of them carried flasks of oil together with their lamps.

He said all of them were assigned with the task of carrying a lighted lamp; that was their job. And to not have enough oil for their lamps is to neglect "the means by which they get their job done," Piper wrote in an article for Desiring God.

The five foolish virgins, Piper said, "are not taking seriously their calling to give light."

"What good is a lamp which has no oil to burn so it can make light?" Piper wrote.

He likened the situation to Christians who have some form of religiosity, who go to church, pray before meals and try their best to obey the Ten Commandments but have no deep affection and love for God. Christians who live this way are like "candles without wicks, light bulbs with no electricity, torches with no fire," he said. 

Addressing believers, Piper asked readers if they have oil in the form of their religion.

Piper also pointed out a common misconception in the parable, where the 10 virgins were said to be sleeping when the bridegroom arrived. Many people believe sleeping, in this context, is a negative thing.

However, Piper said it connotes the normal activities people go through every day: waking up, working, resting and waking up again for another day of work to fulfill their calling.

He explained that the parable shows people must be preparing the way for the Lord while doing their everyday tasks, and they should not be caught up watching the sky looking for "signs."

"Jesus is going to come back someday," Piper said. "Let your lamps burn brightly with life, joy, faith, hope, love, expectancy, praise, wonder, marvel."

In another article, Piper said the refugee crisis could be a sign of the end times. The crisis, which brings an influx of Muslims to different nations, could result in the "disestablishment of Christianity" and the predominance of Islam particularly in Western countries.

Piper believes it will not diminish Christianity but it could bring about a great persecution of the saints and cause the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

However, the refugee crisis could also lead to the "massive spreading of the gospel," he said.

"It is not ours to know the times and the seasons. It is ours to witness to the ends of the earth, no matter the cost," Piper said.