Jesus Tells About End-Times (Part II)
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations.
Matthew 24:9
These are the words Jesus told his apostles about the last days, telling them that all nations will hate Christians. We are seeing today more nations making laws against Christians. Satan’s goal is to destroy the Lord’s people and he has fed lies to the unbelieving world to carry out his evil plan. What are Christians supposed to do as the world turns against us?
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. (Matthew 24:10) There is no circumstance in life that should cause a Christian to hate, except to hate sin. Christians’ hearts are filled with the Lord’s love and there is no space in our hearts for hate. If our hearts increase with God’s love, we will never lose faith.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) We are always to do the work of the Lord and nothing will stop us. And the Lord’s work always starts with prayer, prayer for all of God’s people and for lost souls. We minister wherever the Lord guides us through the Spirit, even during this pandemic or under persecution. Pray and ask the Lord to open a door to minister and to be a Light in this dark world.
And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (Matthew 24:11) Satan’s goal is to deceive people, both unbelievers in the world and believers in the church. The only way to overcome Satan’s deception is to know the Truth from God’s Word and to live by the Truth. If we don’t live by the Truth, then our hearts will not get filled with Truth and love, causing Satan to attack us by twisting the Word.
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:12-13) Christians’ love will not grow cold if we realize we have victory in this spiritual war, and we know the evil force is Satan who is deceiving the world. Our hatred is directed toward Satan and his sinful ways, it is not against flesh and blood. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) Remember our struggle is against the spiritual forces of evil, not against those who have been deceived by Satan’s lies. Our fight always depends on prayer.
And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) Don’t let your love grow cold, but continue to serve the Lord with love, compassion, and courage. Remain faithful to the end because the Lord is coming to take us home. The lost world will bow to Christ and know the Truth, but it will be too late. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'” (Romans 14:11)
Today, live for Christ in prayer and live as his ambassador. Remember the Lord is always with you and will give you whatever you need to serve him. Live in prayer because it keeps you close to the Lord.
Prayer: Lord I pray that I will remain faithful to the end, no matter what happens in this world. I trust you to guide me through life with your love, compassion, and strength. I depend on you to sustain my life as your servant. In Jesus name, Amen