majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 21:10-17,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There
will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places,
and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before all this,
they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to
synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and
governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your
being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand
how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom
that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends,
and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because
of me."
Just prior to Jesus' arrest, crucifixion and resurrection he told of
both the destruction of Jerusalem and what is going to take place on
earth just prior to his return to establish his kingdom: his second
coming. The destruction of Jerusalem took place in 70AD and we still
await his second coming. His description of events prior to his coming
are both exciting and frightful. Horrific in nature, his account of
what will take place before he comes to bring this present age to a
close is riveting.
I recall studying eschatology in college (that portion of theology
that relates to future events) and learning of a school of thought
that believers will be snatched from earth prior to the horrific
events that are to come before Jesus' second coming. Failing to find
anything from the Scriptures speaking directly to defend the position,
we were told that God loves his people… he wouldn't allow them to
suffer, would he?
Additionally, I have had many friends over the years who have
subscribed to the notion that since God loves us, he wants to bless us
and keep us from all sickness and disease. Not being able to escape
the observation that many of these folks never seemed to "prosper"
beyond anyone else and that they all got colds and the flu as much as
me or anyone else, Christian or not, (including cancer, diabetes,
etc.) I couldn't help but notice the only ones being "blessed" by God
have been the TV evangelists sporting expensive clothing, jewelry (I
recall one from the south proclaiming, "Yes, I like the 'bling'!") and
driving expensive cars. Failing to find anything from the Scriptures
speaking directly to defend the position, I have been told that God
loves his people… he doesn't want them to be poor or to be sick, does
he?
A lot of folks have a lot of thoughts and ideas about the things of
God. How important to read what God has to say about things! Else, I
might question God's love for me. I might question whether I really
have a part in his family. I might get discouraged and become
unproductive in how I spend my life for his purposes. I might fall
away…
Jesus paints a whole different picture than what a lot of, I'm sure
well-intentioned, church folks have said over the years. Here in this
passage where the Lord speaks of what is to come prior to his return,
he says to take courage, "do not be frightened", Luke 21:9. "Stand up
and lift up lift up your heads…" Why? Because we will be right in the
midst of terrifying things taking place and he wants us to stand firm.
"… your redemption is drawing near." Believer's will be betrayed, even
by loved ones. "All men will hate you because of me." We are told
people will lay their hands on us and persecute us. We will be
arrested and brought before the authorities.
Even in the not-so-dramatic times prior to the return of the Lord, we
are told we are going to suffer as believers. The suffering has a very
important part to play in our maturing process as believers. "Not only
so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and
character, hope." Romans 5:3-4.
"… for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of
trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold,
which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and
may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:6-7.
You get the picture… may we all cast off all the good thoughts and
return to what the Lord is telling us in the pages of Scripture. It
may not be what we thought it might say, it may not even be what we
think it is what we want to hear… but it is certainly what we need to
hear. The Lord told us these things that we would be prepared. We best
get ready and equip ourselves with the truth.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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