There’s Always Hope
by David Free, Deacon
If we were to encounter a street-corner preacher waving a sign and pronouncing that “the end is coming,” most of us would likely cross the street to avoid his or her visual and vocal prediction.
Yet Jesus made a similar prediction.
Mark 13:1-8 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Jesus and His disciples were standing outside the Temple one day and one of them exclaimed, “Look at these magnificent buildings!”
Oops! Wrong observation because just then, Jesus announced that the Temple will be so utterly destroyed that not one stone will remain on another. And to that the disciples mightʻve replied, “Say what?!”
At this point Jesus and His disciples go across the street and climb the Mount of Olives and there plunk themselves down while Jesus shakes them up all the more by telling them to “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, claiming, I am He, and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” (vs 5-8)
Well, there goes a perfectly beautiful day!
Actually there are a couple of warnings in this passage that can apply to us during this time of fasting. As we spend time in prayer with our Lord, we must make certain that we are not deceived by false messiahs claiming to come in the name of the Lord. As people of God, we must exercise discernment. Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice.” When celebrity preachers or political leaders offer a different gospel or a different salvation, we must recognize that they are a false messiah, a false teacher, a false leader.
And yes, hearing about the strife of nations is alarming, but let’s do our best to not lose faith and hope. Wars have always been a part of human existence. Let’s focus on Jesus instead, rather than the world and its problems. The end will come, as Jesus foresaw, but we are given hope.
Jesus said, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for My Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)
Be encouraged! Our Lord has triumphed over all evil.
Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for Your promise that Jesus will come back in glory and power.
During this time of fasting, help us to live each day as if it were the day of His return. Amen
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