Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Mark 13. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- At the end of the church year, our Scripture lessons focus on what Christians can expect to experience until Christ’s return in glory at the end of time.
- While the end is brilliant and glorious for believers, as we heard in the Old Testament lesson [Dan. 12:1-3], we are warned that in the interim years it will be difficult to live a Christian life.
- So Jesus teaches His disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple – which occurred exactly as Jesus described, in 70 A.D.. He goes on to discuss generally the kinds of things that “must take place” prior to the end. Many of these “signs” have been seen over the past 2,000 years, especially the last century.
- He also indicates the personal dangers that will come to many of us – from false prophets and imposters, to persecutions and beatings, and even betrayals from the members of our family.
- All of this seems somewhat dismal, perhaps even depressing. But Jesus will be with us always, He will always be working all things together for our good and blessedness, He will protect us and ultimately deliver us from all evil.
- So we are encouraged to be “ENDURING TO THE END.” For:
I. Troubles Will Come Into Our Lives To Pervert Us And Destroy Our Faith
A. There Will Be False Prophets
Text: “Jesus began to say to them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in My Name, saying, I am He and they will lead many astray.’”
B. There Will Be Horrible Wars
Text: “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. . . . Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
C. There Will Terrible Natural Disasters
Text: “There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of birth pains.”
D. And Some Of Us Will Face Persecution
Text: “Be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake.”
Statement: Jesus said “be on your guard.” That means that we do not have to be obnoxious toward others or draw attention to ourselves, inviting others to persecute us. It is certainly permissible to “lay low.” You remember what Jesus told His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” [Matt. 7:6] Nonetheless, these troubles will find us from time to time, and we must beware if we are to “ENDURE TO THE END.”
Application: Obviously, the world is full of false prophets and even some claiming to be “Christ.” Obviously there have been horrible wars, some of the worst in the last century. And almost everyone is of the opinion that “climate change” – whether influenced by certain human activities or not – is making our storms and natural disasters worse. If the beginning of these things was many centuries ago, then we are much closer to the end today – which as Jesus stated “is not yet.” But we look forward to the end each time we pray “Thy kingdom come.” And we must focus on God’s Word and promises – meeting together as we are this morning, and encouraging one another – as we “see the Day drawing near.”
Transition: And God is overseeing all of this. And we can be absolutely certain that:
II. God’s Plan Will Prevail
A. Witness To His Salvation Will Be Given With The Aid And Power Of The Holy Spirit
Text: “The gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
B. All Unbelievers Will Hate God And His People
Text: “And you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake.”
C. But Those Who Endure Will Be Delivered
Text: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Statement: From this description, the Christian life will not be mundane and placid. Rather, there is the potential of great difficulty. And while we need not “cast our pearls before swine,” nonetheless the gospel must be preached and proclaimed everywhere, and truthful answers must be given by the power and influence of the Holy Spirit when and if we are under trial. So while the whole of humanity will suffer wars and natural disasters, Christians will in addition have to suffer persecution and betrayal and hatred.
Application: But we are never alone in any of this. And though we are to “be on our guard” and we have to strain to “ENDURE TO THE END,” Jesus encourages calmness and confidence. He will be with us to help us, and His Holy Spirit will be guiding and directing us. It is as the apostle Paul assures us: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” [Phil. 1:6] So by God’s power we can and will be “ENDURING TO THE END.”
Conclusion: Certainly these signs of the end are daunting and frightening. However, in revealing these things to His disciples and to us, Jesus does not intend for us to be intimidated or horrified. Rather He wants us to be prepared, to be on our guard. He wants us to have the utmost confidence if and when we have to face these things.
So let us beware, and see to it that no one leads us astray. Let us look gladly and joyfully to the coming kingdom of God. It is sad that God will be hated, and we along with Him. But our trials are temporal and will surely come to an end. And so even today we pray, “Come Lord Jesus, come.” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.