As we trudge relentlessly into the time of the end, and the bright, warm days continue to be spiritually dark, we frequently cast about for any indicator of how much longer it will be until Jesus Christ returns and brings the mad rule of man to a close. We constantly scour the prophecies and our Savior's prophetic parables for any overlooked instruction that might guide us through these times of turmoil and disquiet. Yet, the specifics we seek remain obstinately hidden—and for good reason, for such knowledge could easily cause us to corrupt ourselves (see Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-48).

This difficulty is intensified because, on the one hand, many indicators warn that the return of Christ must be near—the fig tree has put forth its leaves, as it were (Matthew 24:32-35). But on the other hand, numerous prophesied events are not happening and cannot be clearly seen on the horizon.

We can see signs of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse all around, and the degenerate moral condition of the nations of Israel is surely inviting a response from God. Yet, the saints are not suffering any significant persecution (Matthew 24:9; Revelation 6:9-11). The time of Jacob's Trouble may be just around the corner, but it seems to have lurked there for decades. The people of the modern nations of Israel have not been scattered and subjugated, let alone led back to the Promised Land in the Second Exodus. The Beast and False Prophet have not yet risen to power. Armies have not surrounded Jerusalem (Luke 21:20), and no force of 200-million horsemen has ridden from the East (Revelation 9:16).

Jesus' first-century disciples were likewise curious about "the sign of [His] coming, and of the end of the age" (Matthew 24:3). His response to their curiosity was the Olivet Prophecy, spanning Matthew 24:4-31. However, in addition to the sequence of events He outlines, His answer to the disciples also contains several prophetic parables in chapters 24 and 25 that are relevant regardless of when we live. Even though He gives many specifics of the events surrounding His return and the end of the age, the overall theme of His prophetic parables is, "You do not know when I will return, so be watchful (of yourself) and prepared at all times" (see Matthew 24:36, 42, 44, 50; 25:13).

Despite looking forward to His return with tremendous anticipation, we have little idea when it will occur. We also do not know the date of our own deaths, at which time our preparation ends. How much time do we, as individuals, have to prepare?

Stephen was martyred by an angry mob shortly after the death of Christ and the founding of the New Testament church (Acts 7:57-60). While Luke never mentions his age—perhaps God called Stephen in his advanced years—he plainly had not lived many years in the truth, like the rest of the church at that time, before his time of preparation ended.

On the negative side, Ananias and Sapphira, who also would have known the truth for a short time, had their time of preparation cut short by their foolish sin (Acts 5:1-11). Regardless of how near or far away Christ's return is, our lives could end at any moment. Who is to say whether we have twenty more years or just one? The prophetic parables of Matthew 24 and 25 instruct us that "the end"—whether of this age or of this life—is entirely beyond our knowledge. The wise, then, will be setting their hands to the priorities of life while time remains.

In the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), Jesus describes a man caught up in the affairs of this life, enjoying the fruit of his labors and telling himself to "take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry" (verse 19). God's response? "Fool! This night your soul [life] will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?" This man was entirely focused on the present, without any thought of preparation for the next life—or how long he had to live the present one.

Similarly, God says through the prophet Haggai, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" (Haggai 1:4). Having a house—even a very nice house—is not the problem. God's rebuke comes in response to misplaced priorities. The people focused on their own comfort while neglecting God's Temple.

This point is distinctly relevant to us now, for in the New Testament, God's Temple can represent either the entire body of Christ (Ephesians 2:21) or the individual Christian (I Corinthians 3:16-17). If we apply this admonition to today, it implies that the spiritual condition of the church as a whole, as well as our individual spiritual state, is a higher priority than our material situation. The "cares, riches, and pleasures of life" are what choke out the truth of God (Luke 8:11, 14).

While the prophecies may provide us with a general understanding of the future, the timing of its particulars is a substantial variable we cannot know until it is upon us. Even more uncertain is how long each of us has to live. But by turning our focus to our spiritual condition—for we are the Temple of God's Spirit—and to strengthening the Body of Christ wherever possible, our priorities can align with God's. Whether or not we live to witness the return of Jesus Christ is inconsequential. We will be prepared either way.