Gtcotr/ws032311
It takes only one glance at the world news headlines for anyone who is a believer in Jesus to realize that we are living in days when Bible prophecy is unfolding right before our eyes.
Yesterday afternoon I arrived back in the United States from my latest trip to the Middle East. This last trip took me to the nation of Israel including the last 4 days which I spent in the city center of Jerusalem. While I was there I recalled the difficult days of the intifada and how many of the securities had relaxed since the days when bombs were exploding all around the city only a few years ago.
I must say however that I was not surprised, sad yes, but surprised no, when I awoke this morning to the news that there had been another bombing at a bus stop in the busy rush hour moments in the center of Jerusalem. It only re-affirmed in my spirit that these are the days of great trouble, trial, and turmoil of which the Bible speaks.
We are living in the prelude days to the tribulation and the great tribulation which will come upon the world to judge the world of sin.
Along with today’s bombing in Jerusalem the headlines continued with a nuclear meltdown and radiation fallout concerns in Japan; wars and rumors of wars in Libya; civil unrest in Egypt, Iran, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, and 5 other countries in that region; flooding in country after country; famine and drought in countries where there are no floods; tornados all around the United States; kidnapping and murders throughout Mexico; an increase in volcanic activity worldwide; new strains of antibiotic resistant diseases; alarmingly high rates of unemployment; the lowest ever recorded levels of new home sales; and even a report of illegal aliens being smuggled across our borders dressed in US Marine uniforms, just to name a few of the “Breaking News” events covered in only one segment of the news cycle between commercials this morning.
What is happening?
Matthew 24 NKJV
3 Now as He (Jesus) 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?"
4 ¶ And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 "For many will come in My name, saying, ’I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
6 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
8 "All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
It is evident what is happening … we are in the days of the “beginning of sorrows” … days of trouble when the world is waxing worse and worse … days of lawlessness, days of tribulation, days of deception, days of trouble for others in which we are told to:
Matthew 24:6 … “See that you are not troubled” …
How can a person escape being troubled in these troubled times?
Focus!
Jesus encourages us to not lose our focus and lose sight of our purpose in the midst of these troubled times which face the world in which we live. My dear friends, we must endeavor to keep our focus on the purpose to which we are called. What purpose am I speaking of:
The fact that:
Matthew 24:14 This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
In the midst of these troubled times God has chosen that the gospel shall be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations before the end shall come.
The church moves its farthest and its fastest in times of trouble, trial and tribulation.
Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
Because when the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
How shall God lift up that standard? What will God use? How can the Gospel be published in all the world in such times as this?
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Well the fact of the matter is, God’s special weapon in times such troubled as these is you!
It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
There are three things God is hoping you will do in times of trouble.
1. Be not troubled.
a. Don’t be disillusioned, worried, or afraid
b. Don’t be confused or lose focus
c. The world’s trouble is not your own – it’s not about you …
d. Refuse to lose heart, lose hope, or lose your willingness to help
2. Endure
a. Keep on keeping on
b. Don’t let trouble or trials give you reason to quit
· Caring
· Sharing
3. Proclaim the Gospel
a. Lifestyle Evangelism
b. A Personal Display of Faith in God
They shall know you by your fruits: (Matthew 7 & Galatians 5)
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Gentleness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Humility
Self Control
In times of trouble you may be the only Bible some people ever read.
Don’t worry; Keep caring; and Show others the Jesus in you!
