“Tell us, when will these things be? What will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” These are the questions Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus to explain. They wanted to know signs of the end of the age. [1]
The first sign Jesus gave them to beware of was deception. Many will claim to be Jesus. They will create a Jesus of their own imagination. One that allows for all that is accepted by the sinful world but that is condemned by God. A Jesus that does not talk about sin and the need to repent of sin, and the need for forgiveness of sin! Many will be deceived. [2]
News of wars and rumors of wars will be rampant. Nation will rise against nation. There will be earthquakes, famines, and troubles. “These are the beginnings of sorrows.” [3]
Genuine followers of Christ will be beaten in religious gathering places. Governing authorities will try them. They are to be witnesses of Christ to them. The Holy Spirit will give them the words to say. The Gospel will be spreading to the nations. Family members will betray one another’s trust resulting in the betrayed member’s execution. Everyone will hate genuine followers of Jesus Christ. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.”
“False christ and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” [5]
“After that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then, they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Then, He will send His angels, and gather His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” [6]
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch, and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” [7]
So, let us learn to lean. Lean on God our Savior in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ! Think about HIs love! Think about His grace! Think about His death on the cross for our sins, and about His resurrection which guarantees to us that He will indeed resurrect us from the dead.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our advocate, our comforter, and our navigator! He is the One who is greater in us than he (the enemy of our souls) who is in the world. God's love for us helps us to be more than conquerors.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” [8]
[1] Mark 13:1-4
[2] Mark 13:5-6
[3] Mark 13:7-8
[4] Mark 13:9-13, 20
[5] Mark 13:22
[6] Mark 13:24-27
[7] Mark 13:32-33
[8] Romans 8:37
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