"Our God Wins" August 25 Readings: Matthew 23:37-24:22, Mark 12:41-13:20, Luke 21:1-24

Today's Reading - Matthew 23:37-24:22, Mark 12:41-13:20, Luke 21:1-24

Background

fter the familiar story of the widow's offering which appears in Mark and Luke, Jesus turns his attention to Jerusalem. He laments it's sin and rebellion in Matthew 23:37-39, a significant passage which indicates his rejection by the people. When he rode in at his triumphal entry he was hailed as the one who was blessed, as the one who had come in the name of the Lord. But now he knew that the leaders and even the people were rejecting him, and he lamented the sin of Jerusalem and asserted that the city would not see him again until they meant what they said that day, until they truly proclaimed, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

Then Jesus stepped forward and gave prophecies about the destruction of the temple and then about the end times. Matthew 24 and the related passages in Mark and Luke are important parts of any study of the end times. 

Devotional - Our God Wins!

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better

John Lennon wrote this very moving song for his son, Sean, expressing deep love and hope for the future. Of course, John's idea of prayer did not involve calling out to the God of heaven for grace, mercy, and help, but instead the expression of positive hopes and dreams. Somehow, he believed, if you expressed those wishes they would eventually come true.

We all want that. We all want the world to get better and better every day. I want my children to have a better world to live in than I had and my grandchildren to live in an even better world. I think one of the reasons. The Star Trek series gives us a view of the future that is both positive and appealing.  

Unfortunately, the dreams of Lennon, though powerfully emotive, have no basis in biblical truth. The scientific utopia of the future envisioned by Gene Roddenberry in which our problems have been solved by humanistic achievement is just as elusive and illusory as Lennon's dreams. 

The Bible presents a much less rosy view of the future of the world, in Matthew 24:4-12. 

4 Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold."  

Jesus sees a future that involves false messiahs and false prophets who will attempt to deceive people and divert them from God's truth. He warns of wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes and all kinds of difficulties. People will reject God's law and embrace false religions which do not have the true fire of God's holy love. And, as the icing on this depressing cake, there will be persecution for the people of God. 

Not real encouraging, is it? 

Oh, yes, my friend, it is! In spite of this prophecy of destruction, dissipation and departure from God, there is much for the believer to hope for. Our hope is not and never has been in the things of this world; its pleasures, its riches or even its future. Our hope is in what God is doing. There are three key truths we need to remember as we approach a difficult future. 

1) Our God wins. 

Look at the words of verse 14. 

And then the end will come.

Let's not get bogged down at this point on the details of the Second Coming, but let us simply revel in the truth that Jesus will one day burst out of heaven in radiant glory and assert his Lordship over all the world. Wrong will be made right and truth will vanquish all lies. No matter how bad the world gets it is nothing compared to how good things will be when Jesus returns. 

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you have a bright future! Things make look grim today and they may even get worse, but do not doubt that when the end comes, it will be Jesus who stands supreme, Victor over death, hell, and sin - King of kings and Lord of lords. 

2) God is with us. 

This truth is revealed in other Scriptures, but must be recalled here. "I will never leave you or forsake you." "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Over and over again, God makes us the promise that whatever we go through on this world, his grace is sufficient, even in our weakness. 

No matter what, you are not alone. 

3) We have a job to do. 

Verse 14 also gives us insight into the task God has left us. 

This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations.

We have been given our marching orders from Christ - to preach the gospel to all nations. Though we may suffer and struggle, we must keep our eyes on the goal. We are not here to get rich or to have fun. We are here to make the name of Jesus known in this world. 

So, yes, this world might be a tough one and it will certainly get tougher as the world inevitably draws toward the end, whenever that will be. But these things we know - that God wins, that God is with us, and that we have an eternally important task to do gives us hope and joy. 

It is interesting that most passages about the end describe the horrors that will come, but they also tell us to draw comfort from the truth. A right understanding of end times does not create curiosity or fear, but confidence, hope, and comfort. Jesus wins!

Father, as I face the difficulties of this world, I testify of my hope in your glory and your victory. Whatever comes, help me to stand strong in that hope. 

Think and Pray

It is easy to get bogged down either in picayune details of the end times or to despair at the sin of the world. Remember that we live in a world that which it is in rebellion against the savior is destined to be ruled by him. Rejoice in the victory of Christ.
Remember the presence of Christ as you do God's will every day.
Rejoice even in hardship, because our God wins.