The End is not yet
But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” Luke 21:9
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 greatest 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! Nation rising up against another nation. Check! Earthquakes. Check! Famines and pestilence. Check! Fearful sights and great signs from heaven Check!
In Mark 13, this account ends with the phrase: 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 part of the world 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 to 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 next 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: Luke 21:7-19
7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.
9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
19 By your patience possess your souls.
The Daily Dose 