Good morning,
I think that we have moved into a very special time in God’s plan for his eternal family. I’m thinking this way because of what Jesus told his disciples on that last night of intense conversation with them. Jesus made it very clear that there were to be some very challenging times ahead for his followers, and they needed to understand what God had in mind so that they wouldn’t abandon their faith. He told them that they would be kicked out of synagogues, hated and threatened and even killed by people who were sure that they were doing this to protect God’s good name.(John 16:1,2) This danger would come from religious people who knew God’s name but had no genuine relationship with the Creator God in their hearts. He said it again, Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning.(v.4) Matthew also recorded a conversation with the disciples that had occurred shortly before when he warned his disciples that you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed.(Matt,24:9) Then he said something that I think had quite a different meaning for them than it has for us. He said, You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. The world that they knew was nothing like the world that we know now. They had no idea of the vast oceans and huge continents that we know today. But Jesus did.
Again Matthew records what Jesus said just a few verses later when he told them, And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world(Matt.24;14) Jesus knew how big and round our world was. He also knew that there were people groups and nations all over our planet that were a part of his plan for time and eternity. Jesus knew that some day humans would know that there were nations far far away that needed to hear the Good News and they would go and tell them what salvation was all about. And then he said something that I believe identifies the time we are living in. He said, and then the end will come. We are now living in the days when missionaries and faithful Christians are traveling all over the earth to make sure that everyone possible will be able to hear the Good News and have the opportunity to become a part of God’s eternal family. The Lord then warned them that hateful false believers and false prophets would do their best to fool as many people as possible. He also warned them and us that , Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. How can there be any doubt in our minds that what he said was coming, is true for us in our lifetime. He said one more important thing. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Dear Lord, help us to be faithful servants who will endure to the end, so that when you come you will find us watching, waiting and serving with all our hearts.
John 16:1 "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith.
Roy Wisner
