This morning after spending most of the day off of social media, I checked my facebook. It is full of various news events currently happening. There is hurricane Irma which hit Florida and the east coast. Then there is the aftermath of hurricane Harvey which has caused major flooding in Texas. Then there are the reports from southern Mexico of the 8.1 earthquake that happened as well. Then in the mix of it all 9/11. After spending a few minutes just looking over it, I can only stop and imagine what someone would think if they had no firm foundation in Jesus. It is in these moments, either we are driven to Jesus or away from him. My prayer is that through all of these things, God would be glorified. Is this not a demonstration of just how powerful God is? So much destruction caused by natural disaster. Is this not what scriptures tell us is going to happen? Jesus tells his disciples something along those lines. Matthew 24:3-13
3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then many will fall awaya and betray one another and hate one another. 11And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Are we ready? Each one has to be prepared before hand. Why you ask? If we are not preparing now for what is going to come, our faith will falter. Verse 10 it says that many will fall away. Fall away how? They will fall away because it's too hard to believe that Jesus allows us to be hated and killed for His name sake. I don't want to discourage but encourage here. What do these thing do for you? Do you look and see the destruction and ask why is God allowing this to happen? Do you look at it and say it's time to get ready. Jesus said they are birth pains. Are you willing to die for your faith? It might come to that some day. I am reminded of a quote by Charles Spurgeon that says: "If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem to be against us, we do not believe Him at all. "
3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then many will fall awaya and betray one another and hate one another. 11And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Are we ready? Each one has to be prepared before hand. Why you ask? If we are not preparing now for what is going to come, our faith will falter. Verse 10 it says that many will fall away. Fall away how? They will fall away because it's too hard to believe that Jesus allows us to be hated and killed for His name sake. I don't want to discourage but encourage here. What do these thing do for you? Do you look and see the destruction and ask why is God allowing this to happen? Do you look at it and say it's time to get ready. Jesus said they are birth pains. Are you willing to die for your faith? It might come to that some day. I am reminded of a quote by Charles Spurgeon that says: "If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem to be against us, we do not believe Him at all. "
