Be Aware of the End of Time

Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader

Mark 13:1-13 (The Message)

Doomsday Deceivers

 ¹ As he walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!"  ²Jesus said, "You're impressed by this grandiose architecture? There's not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble." ^3-4Later, as he was sitting on Mount Olives in full view of the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew got him off by himself and asked, "Tell us, when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?"
 ^5-8Jesus began, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, 'I'm the One.' They will deceive a lot of people. When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what's coming.
 ^9-10"And watch out! They're going to drag you into court. And then it will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You're placed there as sentinels to truth. The Message has to be preached all across the world.
 ¹¹"When they bring you, betrayed, into court, don't worry about what you'll say. When the time comes, say what's on your heart—the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you.
 ^12-13"It's going to be brother killing brother, father killing child, children killing parents. There's no telling who will hate you because of me.
   "Stay with it—that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved.


For Reflection
My mother told me that her brother, Charles, was a doomsday preacher.  Standing in the late 1930's on the corners of streets in Pittsburgh, PA, he loudly proclaimed repentance, forgiveness, salvation and the end of time.  Time out lived him. But, I suppose, his heart was in the right place.

I also suppose he was ridiculed for acting on his belief.  He played his part.  Who am I to criticize?  For that matter who in this world was in a position to discredit him?  No, we cannot predict the end of the world.  However, we can prepare for it.  Maybe, just maybe, God spoke through Charles and someone listened.

Pray
that someone is listening.  Pray that you are someone who either knowingly or unwittingly brings another to God.  Pray that "the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you."