The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

³ Now as He 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.

I was going to title this devotional, “The Beginning of Sorrows,” for such, it seems, is the present time we live in with the pandemic. But having seen pictures and postings that feed fear and hysteria, panic buying, and extreme politics as each party blames the other for allowing this virus to slip through the cracks, so to speak, I thought it would be better to strengthen us as believers.

So many times, our Lord tells us not to be afraid,  as the Father spoke to Joshua when he lead the Israelites after Moses’ died. He also says that if we believe in Him and His work as the only way to salvation we shall see G-d, because by believing in Him, we believe in the Father who sent Him. (John 12:44)

It is the nature of prophecy to say what will happen, not when. But as the technology we now possess allows for further saturation at an ever faster pace around the world,  we watch the turn of events in nature, governments, finances, and the church itself as it grows cold, political, and falls away from His teaching, and perceive, like the woman at the well, that He is a Prophet.

Let us then continue to look for opportunities to tell others about Him, and why the peace we possess, while it is beyond their understanding, is not beyond their reach, for whoever calls on His Name will not be cast out. (John 6:37)

So today, Believer, take Him at His word and be at peace, take care of yourself, and by your patience, possess your soul, and peace of mind, body, and spirit will refresh you in the vine that sustains us all. (John 15:5)

Watch, pray, tell, and rejoice, then having done all you can, stand back and see what G-d will do.

Therefore I pray:

Father in Heaven,

Your Son has declared Heaven is Your throne and earth is Your footstool, so we are not to swear by it, for You are faithful to provide us Your bread for our and reward us for faithful service. (Matthew 5:33-34)

We ask, as voices in the wilderness preaching to a dying world, that we maintain possession of our souls, our peace, our families, and our earthly things. We pray hedges of protection around those we hold dear, for You value the people we do, the ones that You have given us to show your Light, share Your knowledge, and put them under Your anointing to do the Kingdom work to which they are called.

Let us take time out from the noise and tugs on our clothes that demand our attention, as the crowd pressed around You on every side, to remember that all You spoke will come to pass, and that it may be the Lord G-d will hide us in the day of His wrath as He deals with the faithless. (Zeph 2:3)

Abide in us, Lord, Your fruitless servants who seldom live up to even the basic standards, doing what is only our most basic duties. Cleanse and prune us once again to bear much fruit in Your Name, and to the Father’s glory.

In righteousness, peace, and joy may we honor You.

Amen.