"Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray. And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come."
When reading these words of Jesus one cannot help but wonder if, in light of events in the world today, we are seeing the fulfillment of His predictions. Personally I believe we are closer than we know and very soon the persecution of believers everywhere will begin. Christians are already hated in the entire world and in many places are being murdered for their 'allegiance' to Him.
Jesus said, no one knows the hour of His return, so wisdom would dictate that those who believe Jesus is the Messiah should be prepared for what is to come. He said that it is going to be a terrifying time and because of the fear that will come with persecution many will leave their faith and turn against Him and other believers.
The only way to overcome the fear of personal suffering is to have a personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is through that relationship that we are given an eternal perspective. If we cannot see past the temporary consequences of persecution we will not be able to endure through it and we will surrender under the pressure. If however, we have an eternal perspective based in our relationship with Jesus we will be able to see and understand, like those described in Hebrews 11 and elsewhere, that our decision to remain faithful will encourage others to do the same.
We must remain focused and devoted to building the Kingdom of God and not on sustaining our comfort in this world. "...those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come."
When reading these words of Jesus one cannot help but wonder if, in light of events in the world today, we are seeing the fulfillment of His predictions. Personally I believe we are closer than we know and very soon the persecution of believers everywhere will begin. Christians are already hated in the entire world and in many places are being murdered for their 'allegiance' to Him.
Jesus said, no one knows the hour of His return, so wisdom would dictate that those who believe Jesus is the Messiah should be prepared for what is to come. He said that it is going to be a terrifying time and because of the fear that will come with persecution many will leave their faith and turn against Him and other believers.
The only way to overcome the fear of personal suffering is to have a personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is through that relationship that we are given an eternal perspective. If we cannot see past the temporary consequences of persecution we will not be able to endure through it and we will surrender under the pressure. If however, we have an eternal perspective based in our relationship with Jesus we will be able to see and understand, like those described in Hebrews 11 and elsewhere, that our decision to remain faithful will encourage others to do the same.
We must remain focused and devoted to building the Kingdom of God and not on sustaining our comfort in this world. "...those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come."
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