“[Jesus] said to [His disciples], ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish.” [1]
The days appear mighty dark for those dear souls who long for righteousness. And if the Word of God is to be taken as accurate, still darker days loom before us. Even those who ignore what God has given in His Word are increasingly uneasy when contemplating what lies before us in the future. Wickedness abounds, and righteousness is openly ridiculed. National leaders brazenly redefine righteousness so that what is good and noble is ridiculed as antiquated, archaic, out-of-date. The godly are verbally assaulted, and frankly, we are no longer surprised when the mockery turns physical. Assaults against Christians are growing more common, even from political leaders. And the assaults witnessed are increasingly violent. Political leaders, if they even acknowledge the Faith, are unrestrained in using the churches as a prop for their own twisted ends. And the churches appear content to allow this condition to persist.
A BIBLICAL VIEW OF THE UNFOLDING VISTA OF THE DARK FUTURE — Jesus has warned of days to come, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake” [LUKE 21:10-12].
The future holds a terrifying prospect for all who profess godliness. This is especially true if we attempt to identify with the world. The churches of this day are dwindling both in influence and in power. A major reason for this situation is because the professed people of God have little depth to their Faith. You may recall a parable Jesus told on one occasion. Jesus said, “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear” [MATTHEW 13:3-9].
The parable Jesus told at that time proved to be an enigma to His disciples. When they were alone, Jesus clarified what the parable meant for His disciples. Jesus said, “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty” [MATTHEW 13:18-23].
I must wonder at the depth in which the Word is planted in the lives of most professing Christians today. Doesn’t the commitment and the understanding possessed by most of us who name the Name of the Holy Son of God resemble the Pecos River at floodtide—ankle deep and half a mile wide? And it is all well and good to speak of those who may never hear this message, but what about us? Years ago, a Texas divine lamented, “It is greatly to be feared that much of the preaching of modem times has lost its depth and power. The plow does not run deep enough. There is no deep conviction of sin. There is no mourning for sin such as we find set forth in Zechariah 13. We find our way to a modern profession of religion, dry-eyed. There is no weeping in it. And hence, feeling ourselves to be but little sinners, we need only a little Saviour.” [2]
Since that was the assessment of the situation prevailing in that earlier day, how much greater is the probability that this is the situation prevailing in this day? I suppose there has always been a tendency to water down the Faith, but as I review the messages recorded from that earlier day, I am driven to the conclusion that the ardor of the faithful has cooled and the vigour with which the message of life is pressed has waned today.
I am extremely pessimistic concerning the vitality of the Faith in days yet ahead. Don’t misunderstand—there will always exist pockets of vibrant, vigorous Christians boldly standing firm before the opposition arising from the world in which they exist. However, most churches will have become museums reflecting past glories of saints long since gone, or spiritual mausoleums. Look at once great churches found in the great cities of our nation, asking which of them now holds forth the Faith as did saints of an earlier era. Across the prairies, we see an increasing number of church buildings that are boarded up, or have been transformed into taverns, or used as granaries for the harvests with which God has blessed our nation. They are evidence that the Faith that accompanied our forebears across those vast prairies has become but a vague memory.
Christians are not nearly as eager or as vigorous in spreading the message of life as were those saints who came before us. Pastors invest more time in “counselling” than they do in evangelising. We preachers are reticent to make anyone uncomfortable, so we are careful to avoid all that talk about sin and the need for salvation. We preachers are reluctant to identify any action or speech as sinful lest we offend someone. We eagerly seek a crowd, and we know that any talk that would point out the sin that people attempt to hide would create discomfort, so we remain silent about the teachings of the Word.
I suppose we could dismiss what Jesus said with the wry observation that there have been wars and conflicts since the day when Cain, in a fit of jealousy, decked his brother with a rock. Historians speak of Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and order (“relative” being the operative word). Even during this period of relative peace and order, there were numerous revolts and wars, and continuing competition with Parthia. Pax Britannica was anything but peaceful on the fringes of the Empire.
There has never been a period when there were no wars or conflicts in the earth. But it was not possible that people were as attuned to the disquiet as they are today. Modern communication ensures that we instantly learn of almost every incident or conflict in our world. The instant knowledge seems only to serve as justification for further incidents of conflict in yet other places until it sometimes seems that the entire earth is in turmoil. It is as if the words of Isaiah are being fulfilled when he wrote,
“Ah, the thunder of many peoples;
they thunder like the thundering of the sea!
Ah, the roar of nations;
they roar like the roaring of mighty waters!
The nations roar like the roaring of many waters,
but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far away,
chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind
and whirling dust before the storm.”
[ISAIAH 17:12-13]
Wars and conflicts in the days immediately before the Lord’s return ensure that the whole earth will be in turmoil, but what about the other signs of which Jesus spoke? Listen once again to what Jesus foretold of conditions on the earth before His return. Jesus warned, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake” [LUKE 21:10-12].
Soon after He spoke these words, Jesus said, while speaking to the same subject, “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” [LUKE 21:25-28].
We can’t say that we see signs in the cosmic bodies, can we? Well, I’m not certain that is an accurate assessment. I know that there is no climate crisis worthy of impoverishing the world. I see no evidence of climate events that are sufficiently terrifying as to drive us back to an existence reflecting the stone age. That seems to be the position of the wannabe saviours of our world, but such a position defies logic. Nevertheless, I wonder whether it is possible that such events could soon overtake our world. If that were the case, it would perhaps presage what is written of some of the terrifying judgements that are to be unleashed during the days of the great tribulation.
In recent days I have become increasingly aware of a growing number of respected individuals who are voicing their deep fears as they listen to the incessant, unrestrained raging of the inhabitants of this darkened world. I am increasingly confident that the great nations of this world may well have passed beyond that point after which there is no turning back. The nations are definitely in perplexity, and it certainly seems that all the nations are uniting in one great purpose, which is to hate Israel and all who dare speak up for God’s Chosen People. While I grieve for the pain innocent people are forced to endure, I can’t say that I am particularly perturbed. I know that it is a fool’s errand to imagine that it is ever right to challenge God. I know that seeking to harm those He loves will expose the evil doers to divine wrath. I know that there is a God, and I know that He still watches over Israel. I see these things unfolding and I straighten up and raise my head because I know that my redemption is drawing near. I choose to believe there is a God Who sees what is going on and that He is in control despite the appearance that the inmates are now running the asylum.
We are not to be those who pray for the great battle of Armageddon as though in anticipation that that great cataclysmic battle will force or even presage the return of the Christ. We are never taught to pray for that day—Christ will return when the Father wills, and God will judge the world when He is ready to judge. We who follow the Risen Lord of Glory are charged to be righteous, revealing the grace of God through a holy life. And we are to pray for peace; specifically, we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Being aware of what God will do is quite distinct from seeking to force the hand of God to fulfil His Word. Christian, my counsel is to refuse to allow yourself to be unsettled. Focus on honouring Christ, and continue serving Him.
RESPONDING TO THE EVIL OF THE DAY — “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake” [LUKE 21:13-17].
Evil focused against the children of God is intended to silence, to intimidate, and to terrify those followers of the Risen Saviour. We are told that such wicked efforts to silence you as one who belongs to Christ will be turned against those perpetuating the evil. Did you hear the Master’s promise? “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” Every attack against the child of God is an opportunity to reveal the grace of God. Isn’t this the way God works! We ask for patience, and God gives us opportunity to be patient. We ask for our relationships to be strengthened, and God gives us opportunity to show love. In the time of trial, your response will serve as your opportunity to reveal the power of God that is at work in you. And make no mistake, if you are a follower of the Risen Lord of Glory, His Spirit is at work in your life.
I’d like for us to think together about this business of bearing witness. You and I are prone to restrict the thought of bearing witness to a verbal declaration of faith in the Risen Saviour, or we focus on our participation in a service of worship. I will agree that these are times that do provide witness to the unsaved that Christ is at work in you. However, there is another, continuing witness that may be overlooked as we choose to honour the Word of the Lord.
The world teaches us to seek prosperity, to seek pleasure, to seek power, to esteem honour and praise. We rank one another by how much we earn, by where we may have gone on holiday, by how many people know our name, and by the honours we accumulate. However, on the cross, our Saviour demonstrated that God despises those trappings that the world esteems. Hanging on the cross, Jesus was utterly impoverished. He was stripped naked and left utterly dependent upon whatever mercies those viewing Him on the cross might deign deliver. It is a demonstration that God despises the wealth that our world worships. Pinioned to the cross, Jesus revealed that God despises pleasure as He was at the limit of suffering, both physical and psychological. Affixed by the cruel nails holding Him fast to the cross, Jesus demonstrated that God despises power. He was unable to move and rendered powerless. As for honour, those honoured men passing by our Lord as He hung on the tree, mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One” [LUKE 23:35]! The soldiers assigned to the duty of carrying out the crucifixion also mocked Jesus. They offered Him sour wine and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself” [LUKE 23:36-37]! There was no honour in the death that was imposed on the sinless Son of God.
Hanging on the cross, Jesus did reveal what He loved. He demonstrated that He loved doing the will of the Father, even when doing the will of the Father would bring suffering and pain. That cross became, as it were, an altar upon which He offered His life to the Father, thus removing guilt and condemnation for all who would receive Him as Master over life. We witness what is essential for us who follow Jesus: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” [MATTHEW 12:50].
The 1966 film “A Man for All Seasons,” tells the story of Thomas More. One of the final scenes depicts the dramatic trial of More, who was accused of high treason. Richard Rich, who as a younger man had been More’s friend and protégé, falsely testifies against him, perjuring himself and practically guaranteeing that More will receive the death penalty. As Rich is leaving the courtroom, More notices that the young man is wearing a chain of office. Inquiring of the judges what the symbol at the end of the chain means, More receives the answer, “Sir Richard is appointed Attorney General for Wales.” More grasps the pendant and with a look more pitying than indignant, comments, “Why Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world—but for Wales?” Rich had become a man with a corroded soul, failing to stand firm before the world, grasping the baubles of this dying world rather than standing with the truth.
This needn’t have been the way things worked out for Rich, and it might have been otherwise. In an earlier scene in the movie, More suggested Rich pursue a job as a humble teacher. However, Rich, ambitious for glory at the king’s court, balked. More wisely said, “You’d be a fine teacher, perhaps a great one.” His protégé replies angrily, “If I was, who would know it?” More patiently responds, “You, your pupils, your friends, God. Not a bad public, that.” [3]
The corroded soul seeks the baubles the world gives—money, pleasures, power, accolades, exchanging honour and truth for that which must die with us. The uncorroded soul looks to God and to those who seek to honour God, for ultimately these are the only ones who count. Obviously, I long for you to reveal yourself as those uncorroded souls.
No one should imagine that I am advocating that we Christians cease being vocal and bold in our witness. Perhaps you have heard someone claim to hold a quote that Francis of Assisi supposedly made. The quote in question has Francis supposedly stating, “Preach the Gospel at all times; use words when necessary.” Francis never said this, nor is it included in any of his writings. Nevertheless, the supposed Franciscan quote has been cited on numerous occasions. The tragedy of this supposed quote is that it is often used to excuse people’s failure to witness to the grace of God.
The truth is that our lives are an adjunct to the message we carry. A filthy life belies the message that we are transformed by the grace God has extended to us. A righteous life serves to emphasise our declaration of salvation resulting from faith in the Risen Son of God. And if we are saved, we strive to live godly, holy lives to the glory of the Father. Peter addressed the very issue when he wrote, “Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil” [1 PETER 3:13-17].
The Apostle to the Jews informs us that a godly life can be a defence against the assaults of the wicked. He asks, “Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” Then, a godly life brings divine blessing since such a life is pleasing to the Lord. Again, a righteous life causes shame to those who think to harm you—they cannot justify their wicked actions and they are shamed in the presence of those witnessing these evil. Again, refusing to respond to the wickedness that is rained down on you can only come with the Father’s permission, and we know that He makes no mistake. Here is what I really want you to note, however—“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” People will ask you for the reason your life is marked by hope. And when you are asked, tell those asking! Give your witness, knowing that God has provided you with that opportunity to glorify His Name.
“Preacher, has that ever happened to you? Have you ever actually had someone come up to you and ask you why you were different?” On many occasions I have had people ask me why I was hopeful, why I bothered going to church, what made me different. I recall one particular instance when I was waiting to catch the “N” car to go to the medical school in San Francisco, a man walked over to me as I stood waiting, asking, “Pardon me, but are you a Christian? I’ve been watching you, and I just wonder if you are a Christian.” There was nothing different about me from any other person, but somehow God’s Spirit prompted that man to approach me. A great conversation ensued and I told him of Christ’s salvation and explained how he could be saved.
As Christians, we don’t need anyone to tell us that we live in a world that is consumed with doing evil. The pain resulting from the evil that contaminates the lives of those we love and pain that also often overwhelms our own lives causes us inconsolable grief. And we are grieved that such wickedness prevails, and that even we find ourselves contaminated by that evil! That this is the case should not be a surprise to the perceptive follower of Christ since Satan is the god of this world [see 2 CORINTHIANS 4:4].
Because the world is fallen and because those living in this world are without the power of God’s good Spirit and thus cannot do what is righteous and godly, opportunities to turn aside from righteousness are constant. There is constant pressure to give in to wickedness and to approve of the evil that marks life in our contemporary world. Consequently, the follower of Christ is not presented with occasional opportunities to sin—temptations to turn aside from the path of righteousness are constant! Christians should take special note that the Master has cautioned, “Temptations to sin are sure to come” [LUKE 17:1a]!
Because the threat of giving in to temptation is constant for Christians, and because temptations are ubiquitous, we who follow the Saviour have been taught to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” [MATTHEW 6:13]. Though those living for this life appear to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, we’ll find it ourselves,” we who follow the Saviour readily confess our need for His divine guidance. We seek His guidance just so we can avoid finding ourselves entrapped by the temptations to turn aside from the path of righteousness that inevitably results when we stumble into sin.
Apparently, the danger that we may succumb to temptation is more real than we could ever imagine. If this was not a serious threat to us, why would the Master warn, “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes” [MATTHEW 18:7]! If there was no immediate danger of giving in to temptation, why would it be necessary for the Master to caution disciples, “Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation” [LUKE 22:46b]? The reason it is necessary that we be warned against succumbing into temptation is that we are susceptible to giving in to temptation, and the temptations to turn aside from righteousness are ever present. Though it pains us to admit our weakness, we are susceptible to giving in to temptation.
A PROMISE TO SUSTAIN THOSE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST — “Not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives” [LUKE 21:18-19]. I grant that the context of Jesus’ words looked forward to the witness of those who will follow Him during the Great Tribulation. However, the promise was given to His disciples who followed Him in that distant day, and what He said is applicable to His followers in this present day. How so?
One great problem for us as we consider this particular saying of the Master is that we know followers of Jesus are tormented and killed in our world to this day, and the assaults against these dear souls are carried out for no other reason than that they worship the Risen Son of God. More followers of Christ were killed in the twentieth century than in all the time since His resurrection to the beginning of that century. And the pace of the slaughter of Christians has not abated in this present century! It is a dangerous thing to follow Christ in Muslim countries, in countries under the rule of Communists, or in countries identified as Hindu, or even in so-called Catholic countries in some instances.
We know the promises of God are sure, so we are justified in asking whatever was in view as Jesus delivered this promise? As I’ve already mentioned, Jesus appears to be speaking of life as one who dares follow Him during the days of the Great Tribulation. The disciples had just heard Jesus speak of the temple being destroyed with not even one stone left on another. Naturally, they were curious when this would take place. After all, we are curious and we are separated by two millennia!
Jesus responded to the disciples’ query by cautioning against being led astray by pretenders claiming to be the Messiah. Don’t miss that He warned His disciples not to be misled. It seems plausible that this is a warning that the beast will present Himself as Messiah. Recall how the Master spoke of that coming antichrist, saying, “When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it” [MATTHEW 24:15-26].
Focus on the fact that the Master warned in this revelation that false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will give every appearance of possessing the power of the true Messiah—these false beings will be so powerful that they can be mistaken for the Messiah Who is the Son of God. Without divine protection, even the redeemed could be deceived. However, according to Christ’s own words, His redeemed people will be shielded from succumbing to that deception at that time.
You will perhaps recall that the Apostle to the Gentiles apparently was granted insight into what would be taking place at that time; and he has informed us as he wrote, “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” [2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12]. The foul entities whom Jesus warned against are the same wicked powers whom the Apostle warned of. Satan and His minions will seize control even of the holy places, presenting themselves as the fulfilment of prophecy. And almost the entire world will follow after them, accepting them for who they purport to be. Only the saved will be spared this deception.
The Father has revealed through the Revelator the impact of this antichrist and his promoters that will be revealed during the dark days of the Tribulation. John writes, “The beast [i.e. the antichrist] was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear” [REVELATION 13:5-9].
The antichrist will be authenticated in the eyes of the world during those awful days, and the authentication will be perpetuated by one who seeks to exercise the prerogative of the Holy Spirit. Again, John reveals, “Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name” [REVELATION 13:11-17].
Then, in the account Doctor Luke has provided, the Master continued His revelation, informing us of what shall take place. Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake” [LUKE 21:10-17].
It would be impossible to conclude that Jesus said the disciples would not be killed. Did He not say, “Some of you they will put to death.” Obviously, He can’t be saying two contradictory things simultaneously. Therefore, we need to give careful thought to what is being said if we will understand what the Master meant when He spoke these words. If we live for this life only, we will see Jesus’ words as meaningless blather, because we will say there is no advantage to believing Him. The Apostle is correct when he states, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” [1 CORINTHIANS 15:19]. If all there is for us is what now exists, then our lives are pitiable, devoid of all reason. However, we know, because the Spirit of Christ living in us testifies with our spirit, that there is so much more—more than we could ever imagine because we are held in the hands of the God Who gives us our being.
Here is the point that must be stressed and with which we must encourage one another—there is a Heaven, and the redeemed of God are being equipped to dwell in that eternal home! Therefore, the words that Jesus spoke are both a comfort and a source of hope for His redeemed people. We are being prepared for that eternal home, and Jesus’ words thus point to the fact that we shall lose nothing even if those of this dying world should dispossess us of every comfort now; and even if we are killed because we worship Him as Lord over our life, we have something that can never be taken from us, a home in Heaven. The Word of God encourages us, “W e know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” [2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-5].
Haven’t we been taught, “We are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” [2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-8].
Dear people, the Master has told us, “Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” [LUKE 21:28b NET BIBLE]. Things may look dark, and matters will grow darker still before our God brings matters to a conclusion. However, no Christian should give in to despair because with the Psalmist we can say,
“I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies
and from my persecutors!”
[PSALM 31:14-15]
I read the end of the Book; I know how the story ends. Christ is victorious and His people reign on earth with Him. He conquers! And we are delivered! Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] B. H. Carroll, An Interpretation of the English Bible: James, Thessalonians, Corinthians, Volume 13, J. B. Cranfill (ed.), (Broadman Press, Nashville, TN 1948) 43-4
[3] As written by Bishop Robert Barron, “The Most Important Decision in Life,” Hillsdale College commencement ceremony, May 13, 2023, Imprimis, June 2023, Volume 52, Number 6
