The third way in preparing for the coming of the Son of God is by enduring through life’s hardships. Matthew 24:5-13 says, “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
We are called to be steadfast disciples. Your salvation in Christ is sure; if we go down then we go up, so do not be alarmed and stand firm on that eternal perspective. We are closer to the End Times than ever before. There are wars, natural disasters, pandemics, hatred, fear and unfortunately many have not endured. The Christian church and worship of God is more than a Sunday (what I do) habit to be formed or behavior modification. It is a new (who I am because of whose I am) life, where you are transformed from the inside out. Christianity is not a social club that you join. It’s a repentant Sinner’s family where you find forgiveness and eternal salvation in being born-again by the Holy Spirit with a regenerated spirit connected to God and new heart with the Christ written upon it.
Hardships will come and your faith will be tested, Endure through it by putting your hope past the hardship because the end-goal is greater. The hope of Heaven is greater than any hardship that this life can throw at us. The reward is eternity with Jesus in Heaven. Titus 2:11-14 tells us, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” James 1:2-4 proclaim that we should, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” We come out stronger and wiser on the other side of hardships.
The fourth path in preparing for the coming of the Son of God is by being a part of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus stated in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Jesus’ last commandment in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. – helping people find Christ, pointing them to the foot of the Cross. The Great Commission was not the great suggestion. Just before He ascended into Heaven, the Lord Jesus told us in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
When Jesus comes back, we should be doing the last thing that He told us to do ... spreading the gospel and making disciples (saved followers of Jesus). Find opportunities to be a witness for Jesus Christ and reach the lost in sin. It is done for the purpose of making the connection so that the unsaved can find and meet Christ for the forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation of their soul, knowing the love of God. That is the goal of the Great Commission of the Christian church. Have an impact within your sphere of influence by tells others around you about Jesus, what the Lord has done in your life, the gospel message, paying with them and inviting them to church with you. It’s life-changing!
The “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem was Jesus’ first proclamation as Messiah (Savior and Lord) and many missed it. We today have a unique opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past. Jesus will be coming again and going to make another “Triumphal Entry”, so prepare for the coming of the Son of God. Prepare your home for the coming of the Lord.
Happy Good Friday!
In Christ, Brian
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