Mark 13:14-20
“When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.”
Mark 13:14-20 NIV
At the Lord's return in glory, the troubles and tumult of the end time will be great. Yet despite all outward appearances, God will remain in control and will protect and bring deliverance for his people during these distressing times.
As God's children, those whose allegiance is to the Lord Jesus and whose lives are focused on His Kingdom, our triumph is secure. It cannot be taken from us, not by Satan's power, not by evil times, and not by death itself.
Our God is in control and our Lord is on the horizon to usher us into his eternal presence. Our task is to remain faithful and be ready for His deliverance.
A critical moment had arrived when the Lord Jesus started to set aside His temporal, earthly ties in order to develop an eternal, spiritual bond with all who would believe on His name.
We read that Jesus started to teach the people in parables so that although they heard His Messianic teachings and saw His Messianic signs, they would not understand His Messianic message: that He was the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.
The promised Son of God had finally arrived to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But their hearts had been hardened to such an extent that even though Christ came unto them to set up His own Messianic kingdom, they rejected Him and would not receive Him.
But even in this national rejection of Christ, there was individual salvation. "But as many as received Him to them gave He the power to become Sons of God, even to those that believe on His name."
It was the hardness of the nation's heart that dictated that Christ started to speak to them in parables at this point in His ministry, because they had proved that their interest in Him was superficial, temporal, and selfish.
Christ would not cast His pearls before swine and so by means of parables, the truths which He was about to teach would be made clear to all who would trust Him as Savior, yet they were hidden from the unbelieving crowd.
The Jews in rebelling against the Romans, and in persecuting the Christians, hastened their own ruin apace. Here we have a prediction of that ruin which came upon them within less than forty years after this.
Such destruction and desolation, that the like cannot be found in any history. Promises of power to persevere, and cautions against falling away, well agree with each other.
But the more we consider these things, the more we shall see abundant cause to flee without delay for refuge to Christ, and to renounce every earthly object, for the salvation of our souls.
The Messiah of Israel and God's anointed but rejected King is now seated on the right hand of the Father. And we who are in Christ can be used to forward the message of salvation, which Christ came to deliver and the gospel of grace, where sinners may be saved by grace through faith in the only begotten Son of God.
Let us be those that produce fruit, good fruit, much fruit, and more fruit. Let us be them that are fruitful in this dispensation of grace, and multiply our talent, twenty-fold, fifty-fold, and even one hundred-fold.
He Who began a good work in each of our lives will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus. Let us abide in Him, listen to His voice, be guided by the Holy Spirit, and live by faith and not by sight to His praise and glory!!!
Father thank You for this day and that we are part of Your Body, and the truth of salvation in the finished work of Christ has been granted to us by grace through faith. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord open ears to hear Your voice and to understand the truths that are hidden in Your Word. Lord may we grow in grace and in the knowledge of You and be used by You to forward Your kingdom as You see fit. Lord Thy will be done. Lord empower us to remain faithful to You no matter the times or our circumstance. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya!
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