You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you. Deuteronomy 3:22
Today is part two of our intro to the End Times study. We will continue to look at signs of the times. We began yesterday reading Matthew 24; we’ll continue there today as well as look at other chapters which tell us more signs of the season. Yesterday, the signs we read about were: People claiming to be Christ, wars and rumors of wars, many false prophets, increased crime and sin, many of the faithful falling away, and many of the faithful losing their passion as their love grows cold. But Jesus gave us encouragement. He said that those who endure to the end will be saved and that the gospel would be preached throughout the whole world to the all the nations (Matthew 24:4-14). Let’s continue with verses 7-8.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
This not only refers to wars, but political upheaval, realigning of governments, treaties, and allies. Contributing to the problem will be an increase in natural disasters such as earthquakes. Luke 21 records the same teaching and verses 10-11 say it this way,
Then He {Jesus] said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”
There will be a great increase in famine and disease. We are seeing the beginnings of that now, just as we are seeing an escalation in earthquakes and unusual weather patterns. Becky Oskin with Live Science wrote that “there were more than twice as many big earthquakes in the first quarter of 2014 as compared with the average since 1979.” (Emphasis added, 2014). Scientists have not been able to find a reason for the increase in seismic activity (Oskin, 2014). Another scientific research article wrote that the changing climate has contributed to an unprecedented escalation of famines and disease which are expected to affect 18% of the global population (Ahmed, 2013). That is nearly 1 out of five people on the face of the planet! While we are seeing an increase in natural disasters, especially earthquakes and an increase in famine and pestilence it is not yet to the point it will be. Before that happens will come severe Christian persecution. Verses 12-19 say it like this.
But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
We read about this yesterday. Luke’s account gives a little more detail about the persecution than does Matthew’s. Lovely Family, we do not have to be afraid of the harassment, oppression, and suffering of the enemy through his lost and blind followers. God is with us! We have nothing to fear. We won’t have to come up with a defense. We won’t have to think of a way out of it. Read verse 15 again. for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. Remember that God is our Ever-Present Almighty God With Us. Isaiah 54:17 encourages us this way,
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
How many times throughout scripture does He say, “Do not fear, I am with you” or “Be courageous, I am with you.” A quick search found more than 100 times that God reminds His children He is with us. The first mention in Genesis 26:24 to Jesus’ last words to His followers before His ascension in Matthew 18:20. “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Believer, we do not have to fear. We have God on our side, our Warrior King. He is Justice and Vengeance is His! (Deuteronomy 3:22, Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:35). The troubles ahead will be terrible for many, but we have the LORD. Our Father will not let us be defeated. Jesus is the Perfect Lamb who died to give us life and our Bridegroom. We will be united with Him at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. The Holy Spirit is our Shield. He covers us, indwells us, teaches us and empowers us to persevere any trial or tribulation.
I had planned on going over more than these two signs today, but we can take it slow in small bites. Beloved Brothers and Sisters, Beloved seekers of truth, take courage; it is already written Jesus conquers Satan, Death, and Sin. It is as good as done. Let us take advantage of the times, be aware and watchful, let us be the light for the lost and teachers of the uninformed united in God’s will that none would perish (2 Peter 3:9).
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
This not only refers to wars, but political upheaval, realigning of governments, treaties, and allies. Contributing to the problem will be an increase in natural disasters such as earthquakes. Luke 21 records the same teaching and verses 10-11 say it this way,
Then He {Jesus] said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”
There will be a great increase in famine and disease. We are seeing the beginnings of that now, just as we are seeing an escalation in earthquakes and unusual weather patterns. Becky Oskin with Live Science wrote that “there were more than twice as many big earthquakes in the first quarter of 2014 as compared with the average since 1979.” (Emphasis added, 2014). Scientists have not been able to find a reason for the increase in seismic activity (Oskin, 2014). Another scientific research article wrote that the changing climate has contributed to an unprecedented escalation of famines and disease which are expected to affect 18% of the global population (Ahmed, 2013). That is nearly 1 out of five people on the face of the planet! While we are seeing an increase in natural disasters, especially earthquakes and an increase in famine and pestilence it is not yet to the point it will be. Before that happens will come severe Christian persecution. Verses 12-19 say it like this.
But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
We read about this yesterday. Luke’s account gives a little more detail about the persecution than does Matthew’s. Lovely Family, we do not have to be afraid of the harassment, oppression, and suffering of the enemy through his lost and blind followers. God is with us! We have nothing to fear. We won’t have to come up with a defense. We won’t have to think of a way out of it. Read verse 15 again. for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. Remember that God is our Ever-Present Almighty God With Us. Isaiah 54:17 encourages us this way,
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
How many times throughout scripture does He say, “Do not fear, I am with you” or “Be courageous, I am with you.” A quick search found more than 100 times that God reminds His children He is with us. The first mention in Genesis 26:24 to Jesus’ last words to His followers before His ascension in Matthew 18:20. “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Believer, we do not have to fear. We have God on our side, our Warrior King. He is Justice and Vengeance is His! (Deuteronomy 3:22, Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:35). The troubles ahead will be terrible for many, but we have the LORD. Our Father will not let us be defeated. Jesus is the Perfect Lamb who died to give us life and our Bridegroom. We will be united with Him at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. The Holy Spirit is our Shield. He covers us, indwells us, teaches us and empowers us to persevere any trial or tribulation.
I had planned on going over more than these two signs today, but we can take it slow in small bites. Beloved Brothers and Sisters, Beloved seekers of truth, take courage; it is already written Jesus conquers Satan, Death, and Sin. It is as good as done. Let us take advantage of the times, be aware and watchful, let us be the light for the lost and teachers of the uninformed united in God’s will that none would perish (2 Peter 3:9).
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