The End is not yet
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. Mark 13:7
I can remember from a very young age looking for the Lord’s return. We have believed for years that He could come back for us at any time. What a glorious day that will be! With the crazy times we are living in, sooner rather than later is what my hope is. However, my heart’s desire is to make the greatest impact with the remaining days I have here in this world and to reach as many lost people as possible.
In today’s passage, Jesus gave His disciples a look into the future as He explained some of the events that they would be up against and the rest of the world in the coming years. He gave a list of some signs that we all have seen and continue to see, but then He said, but that is not the end. He said: wars and rumors of war. Check! Nations rising up against other nations. Check! Earthquakes. Check! Famines and troubles. Check! The beginning of sorrow. Check! We’ve seem all of these things, many times over.
Then He says something that we cannot check off this list, yet. In verse 10 Jesus said: And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. We have not seen this accomplished yet, now or even in the past. I was recently at an event that spoke of translating Bibles into many languages of nations that still do not have the massage of salvation. I remember thinking: with today’s technology and travel, how can there still be parts of the Earth that have not been reached with the messages of God’s love and provision of salvation. Yet, Jesus said before He comes to get us, first the gospel must reach every nation.
Is there anything we can do to help that happen? To this I say, Yes!! First of all we can pray. We can pray for the provision and the people to take the message. We can pray for every corner and far out village that has not been discovered, to be revealed. We can pray for hearts to be ready to jump on the opportunity when it finally gets to them, and we can pray that we will know what our place and part is in reaching the nations.
Next, we can support missions and outreaches that are taking the message out. And most of us have access to the world through the world wide web and can begin to ask for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and insight on how we can use this resource and all other tools we have to get the message out. This is an “All hands on deck” call. We all have a part and we all have been commissioned. We cannot live this life the way the world does and be content to let others do the things we were born into this time to accomplish.
Today I want to encourage you to get alone with God and seek His love, grace and direction. Praise and worship Him for the great things He has done in the past, is doing right now in the present and the things He will do in the coming days. Seek out the mission you have been assigned to if you do not already know what that is and begin to go through the doors that He opens on that road today. If you are already on your called way, continue to press in to hear and know the steps He has for you to take today and every day. Let’s get His love and grace to the nations and to the ends of the earth and see Him returning in the clouds to get us, ASAP!
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 13:1-13
1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”
2 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.
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.
The Daily Dose 