The disciples approached Jesus while He was sitting on the Mount of Olives and asked Him to tell them about the sign of His coming and the end of the age.
Matthew 24:4-8 (CSB)
Jesus replied to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. “You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of labor pains.”
These end times and last days events can sound terrifying, but Jesus tells us not to be alarmed because these events have to take place. It is part of God’s plan. He tells us these events are the beginning of labor pains, and we know how labor pains progress and get worse towards the end before things get better. These times are coming on the earth to bring in the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ, but first there has to be an end to all the wickedness and evil of the devil and his helpers here on earth. Hard times and persecutions are predicted in the Bible:
Jesus tells us –
Matthew 24:9-14 (CSB)
“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
It is often easier for some people to just ‘bury their head in the sand’ and not wish to know the truth of future events, but it is important to be fully informed with the truth of what Jesus is telling us. He’s telling us for a reason! He knows that many people will opt for the easy life and fall away from the Christian life because it seems too hard for them with persecutions happening. It’s crucial to learn all of the scriptures, not just the nice and happy scriptures, and take notice of what Jesus is telling us. He tells us that those who endure to the end will be saved. It’s your decision that will determine where you spend eternity!
The Rapture or taking away of believers by Jesus will happen, but we don’t know when. It may be before or during the Tribulation. The important thing is for us to be fully informed of the Bible’s prophecies, to not be alarmed when these things come to pass, to keep our focus on Jesus at all times, to stay faithful to God through hard times and to endure to the end.
Revelation 2:10 (CSB)
“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
In the above scripture we learn about Jesus’ predictions to the church at Smyrna. He knew His followers would encounter persecution. The ten days that are mentioned could refer to the ten persecutions that began with Roman emperor Nero and ended in the third century with Roman emperor Diocletian. We must remember that we as Christians are not promised an easy ride but to those of us who remain faithful and loyal to Jesus, we are promised the crown of life.
Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB)
Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus told the remaining eleven disciples these words in what is known as The Great Commission. It is just as important now as it was then. We all need to do our part, in getting the message of the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ to as many people as we can. We must live in readiness for Jesus’ return. We don’t know when that will be, only God knows, but we must be ready.
Onward Christian Soldiers 