I knew that he had been aware of danger, that he had lived no moment without that awareness.”
–Louis L’Amour (Lando)
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
–Mark 13:33 (NKJV)
————————————–
We do live in perilous times. In the United States we see the sledge hammer of idiocy in the form of wokeness, progressiveness, socialism, globalism and other pseudo-intellectual ideas. There is the jackhammer of the stupidity of transgenderism, moral apathy, sexual confusion and perversion. The sledge and jackhammer pounding and chipping away at the foundations of this country; those grand ideals laid forth by the Founding Fathers. Add to that the acid, the poison, of liberal theology, and it is plain to see, if you have eyes, that our country is in grave danger.
Before continuing, I must remind you and myself that the Holy Bible was written for all. It was not just for those living in the region of Israel. It was not written just for the Western world. So when reading, keep in mind that the words are for every nation. Each locale has its own special issues. Persecution is different in each region, in each nation. Revival is a word used frequently, and while we pray for revival in our country, know that in other areas of the world there is a tremendous influx of souls into the kingdom. It is good that we read the Scriptures through the lens of where we live, but we must also have a wider perspective.
In our country, in every nation, Satan is on the move trying to destroy the work of God. All the carnage, confusion, chaos, evil, and wickedness comes from his working. “The Christian lives in light of this tension, this reality: there will be trials and tribulations for the totality of our earthly pilgrimage, yet we never need to lose heart or hope. We can stand firm in our faith…” (Alistair Begg)
“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. 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.”
–Mark 13:19-20(NKJV)
Christian–be on guard–wherever you live. Whatever kind of tribulation you might face, recognize it, be aware of it, and stand against it. Do not be alarmed at the things that you see, whether they be wars and the rumors of wars, famines in the world, pestilence, natural calamites increasing. We know that He is with us, no matter the situation. Jesus tells us, from the Book of Mark, that
–there will be war, rumors of war, the threat of war — 13:7-8
–some believers will be beaten, some delivered up, some brought before rulers — 13:9
–some will be arrested — 13:11
–families will fall apart and be against each other — 13:12
–Christians will be hated — 13:13
–false teachers, false prophets, false christs will appear, to lead astray — 13:22
In the midst of what is and will take place we are to remain firm. We are told, “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand… Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is…. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (13:23, 33, 37, NKJV) Jesus warns us, He admonishes us. Look at what He says:
–watch out for yourselves — 13:9
–do not worry, the Holy Spirit will help you and tell you what to speak — 13:11
–“He who endures to the end shall be saved” — 13:13
–do not believe the false teachers — 13:21
–know that the end is near–“at the doors” — 13:29
With all that is happening in the world–the chaos, terror, confusion, hatred–don’t get complacent; don’t compromise–don’t fall asleep! We should be ready to face what comes our way; we should be ready should the Master call. Read this chapter of Mark–meditate on it, dwell on it, pray on it, contemplate it. Your life may very well depend upon what you read. Listen for the Master’s call! Listen for the sound of the trumpet! Know for a fact–Jesus is coming back!
————————————–
We do live in perilous times. In the United States we see the sledge hammer of idiocy in the form of wokeness, progressiveness, socialism, globalism and other pseudo-intellectual ideas. There is the jackhammer of the stupidity of transgenderism, moral apathy, sexual confusion and perversion. The sledge and jackhammer pounding and chipping away at the foundations of this country; those grand ideals laid forth by the Founding Fathers. Add to that the acid, the poison, of liberal theology, and it is plain to see, if you have eyes, that our country is in grave danger.
Before continuing, I must remind you and myself that the Holy Bible was written for all. It was not just for those living in the region of Israel. It was not written just for the Western world. So when reading, keep in mind that the words are for every nation. Each locale has its own special issues. Persecution is different in each region, in each nation. Revival is a word used frequently, and while we pray for revival in our country, know that in other areas of the world there is a tremendous influx of souls into the kingdom. It is good that we read the Scriptures through the lens of where we live, but we must also have a wider perspective.
In our country, in every nation, Satan is on the move trying to destroy the work of God. All the carnage, confusion, chaos, evil, and wickedness comes from his working. “The Christian lives in light of this tension, this reality: there will be trials and tribulations for the totality of our earthly pilgrimage, yet we never need to lose heart or hope. We can stand firm in our faith…” (Alistair Begg)
“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. 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.”
–Mark 13:19-20(NKJV)
Christian–be on guard–wherever you live. Whatever kind of tribulation you might face, recognize it, be aware of it, and stand against it. Do not be alarmed at the things that you see, whether they be wars and the rumors of wars, famines in the world, pestilence, natural calamites increasing. We know that He is with us, no matter the situation. Jesus tells us, from the Book of Mark, that
–there will be war, rumors of war, the threat of war — 13:7-8
–some believers will be beaten, some delivered up, some brought before rulers — 13:9
–some will be arrested — 13:11
–families will fall apart and be against each other — 13:12
–Christians will be hated — 13:13
–false teachers, false prophets, false christs will appear, to lead astray — 13:22
In the midst of what is and will take place we are to remain firm. We are told, “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand… Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is…. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (13:23, 33, 37, NKJV) Jesus warns us, He admonishes us. Look at what He says:
–watch out for yourselves — 13:9
–do not worry, the Holy Spirit will help you and tell you what to speak — 13:11
–“He who endures to the end shall be saved” — 13:13
–do not believe the false teachers — 13:21
–know that the end is near–“at the doors” — 13:29
With all that is happening in the world–the chaos, terror, confusion, hatred–don’t get complacent; don’t compromise–don’t fall asleep! We should be ready to face what comes our way; we should be ready should the Master call. Read this chapter of Mark–meditate on it, dwell on it, pray on it, contemplate it. Your life may very well depend upon what you read. Listen for the Master’s call! Listen for the sound of the trumpet! Know for a fact–Jesus is coming back!