We'v been traveling through the Old Testament tracing the rise and fall of the Israelite kingdom. We've seen the highs and the lows, the obedience and the defiance of God's chosen people. We studied kings who whole-heartedly and half-heartedly followed the Lord, as well as those who chose idols and rebellion. And through it all we've seen God's faithfulness.
I feel like we are in a time that mimics the journey of the Israelites from powerful kingdom to captive exiles. I wonder (and I'm kind of pretty certain at this point) if we are not coming under God's discipline here. Natural disasters and civic disagreement are more and more common. Crime seems to be acceptable, corruption is common and anger is the mood of many. It's sad and scary. I wonder if Israel stared down the same problems. Satan and his minions are seemingly gaining ground every day.
But as we followed Israel's journey we saw God's love and desire for His people. God's fierce wrath at the sins of His people was born out of His fierce love. He took no joy in punishing His people, but did so in an effort to draw them back to Himself. Ezekiel 33:11 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die? We saw that the punishments were only allowed to go so far and go on for so long. Even after Judah fell to Babylon, there was a remnant of God's people who remained faithful to Him and Him to them.
I say all this to encourage us today. The world around us gets darker with each trip around the sun. But that is not the end. That is not meant to cause us fear. There was a great line in our BSF Kingdom Divided workbook that said, "Things are not falling apart, they are falling into place." Jesus warned us there would be wars, famine, and crazy natural disasters that would usher in the end times. His instructions were clear though, be about His business and be ready. Be seeking the lost, caring for each other, and spending copious amounts of time in the Presence of our Lord and Savior (see parable of the ten virgins below). We will need His strength to endure what's coming, and even what's already begun. I kind of feel terrified and excited all at the same time. I pray now, that the Lord increases our urgency and boldness to share the Gospel with as many people as we can.
Mark 13:3-37 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. 28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 1 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Lord, help us to be ready when the time comes for Your return. Please fill our lamps with the oil of the Holy Spirit that we may be a light in the darkness of this world. Give us bold hearts to share Your love and salvation with those around us. Open the doors, open our hearts open our eyes, and open our mouths to the lost. May we be about our Father's business. Lord, we know that things are scary, and will get worse, but we also know that nothing is a surprise to You and that You will carry us through. We are in Your hands and therefore we can rest in Your care, being at peace no matter what goes on around us. Help us to follow You closely. Lord, these times that are here, that are coming could be so discouraging. We will be called names, rejected, perhaps eventually even jailed or killed for our obedience to You. Let us be strong in the power of Your might. Now is the time to be strengthened. Now is the time to ready ourselves. We look forward to Your return. We are foreigners here, sojourners on our way to our real country. Let us not love the world or the things in it so much that we forget where our true citizenship lies. Lord, we pray for Your holy fire to fill our hearts. Let our lives honor You and bring Your glory, whatever may happen. It is in Jesus' mighty and holy Name I pray. Amen.
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