Matthew 24 gets all the love when it comes to reading what Jesus said to the disciples when they asked Him about His return. I thought it might be nice to turn to Mark’s observations from that day for a change:
Mark 13:7-13
7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
As long as the end is not yet we still have time to Love God and Love People!
Mark 13:32-37
32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Even as the day approacheth, be on watch! Pray! The Master is returning soon. to each his work Serve God and the Body of Christ as you have been gifted and assigned… for the equipping of each member for service to each other, and for the ministry of reconciliation! the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
The world will hate you because you bear the name of Jesus.
12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Do not be surprised. Jesus has told us ahead of time. Paul called his troubles “light afflictions”. You are crazy Paul! I whine when my toilet gets stopped up or if I have to do laundry! And yet… I feel the compulsion to tell the world about the Love of God through His Son Jesus. It’s so weird to me that people would hate Him so much. But ours is not a war against flesh and blood. Those born in Adam into sin and the sin nature who have not been born again into God’s Kingdom do not know what they do. They are opposed to God by birthright. They must see their need for a Savior and become children of God by rebirthright! (I just made up a word) 🙂
So when persecution comes, whether it’s ridicule by peers on social media or outright murder, endure to the end and be saved! If they haul you in for questioning,
do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
The world is entering a very dangerous time. “The Great Reset” that is taking away human rights fueled by the Spirit of Antichrist is spreading fast. Their (who are they? elites mostly) evil plans to rule the world are unfolding before us everyday. It’s amazing to watch the stage be set for the final chapter of the book. But remember, Revelation is the revealing of Jesus Christ! So do good. Encourage each other as the day approacheth! Be about the work of the ministry of reconciliation. Daniel had much to say about end times. The light will shine brighter in the darkness. To be chosen to be alive for such a time as this is both terrifying and a privilege. Trust God and keep looking up! Maranatha