“Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28
March 29, 2023
Jesus did not hesitate to school His disciples in the importance of being ready for His Second Coming and the difficult times that will precede it. As His disciples 2100 years later, we must be informed and alert to the coming judgment on the world. In Luke 20:35 Jesus reminded His men of the necessity of readiness for the kingdom. He did this by interpretation “doubles.” He used the coming destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (Luke 21:20-24) to foreshadow the Great Tribulation, His Second Coming, and the arrival of the Kingdom. Here is what emerges for us as kingdom citizens. Be prepared for opposition. As the Holy Spirit enables believers to speak boldly and clearly for God (Mk. 13:11), we must be prepared to pay a heavy price for our loyalty to the coming King. We are increasingly seeing this play out in the hostility toward Christian truth. Today’s news is a witness to this. We are to be kingdom people, not this-age people (Lk. 21:34ff.). “Be on guard!” Self-discipline is required of us. Are our priorities in order? Yes, we have our daily affairs to take care of, but we must not allow mediocrity define us. Are you finding ways and time to muscle-up in your knowledge of theology? Is Bible prophecy of interest to you? Be sure your outlook is the uplook.
H
“Heavenly Father, keep me faithful to the gospel not matter what the cost.”