Matthew 24: 9
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me. NIV
In the name of the One Who controls all things, amen.
Joy in being persecuted for the name of Jesus; that has been our theme this week. Joy in persecution because our sorrow will be turned to joy, because our Savior died for us, because God keeps us in the true faith, because you have been freed from the world, and because persecution spreads the Gospel. Rejoice!
The passage above is from an extended discussion Jesus had with His disciples. In it He stresses again and again how He is in control. He points out that He is telling them ahead of time. He tells them that the toughest times will be cut short. He warns them that false Christs and false prophets would come performing signs and miracles so great that they would be enough even to deceive His chosen ones if it were actually possible.
He is in control. Are the times going to be tough? Or should we ask, "Are the times tough? Tougher than you can possible imagine. There is such chaos and such tempting deceit. But we already know what to watch out for. When the Jehovah's Witnesses knock at our door and say, "Jesus returned invisibly in 1914, we can laugh and deride them because Jesus said in Matthew 24, "For as lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man," and "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky." He will not return invisibly.
When Rev. Sun Myung Moon says that He is the new Messiah, we can say, "Excuse me, Jesus said, 'If someone says to you, 'Look here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.'" When the next David Koresh wants to lead you out into the desert to see the Christ, remember Jesus said, "Do not go out (into the desert to see him). When the next so-called Christian tells you the world will end on September 9, 1999, ask him when the last time was that he read Matthew 24--no one, no one but the Father knows the day or the hour.
Rejoice, Jesus is in control! Among the stupidity, unbelief, and persecution; He is in control. We will be persecuted and hated yes, but the real dangers have all been pointed out. May you have joy and peace in spite of the persecutions. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for ruling all things for the benefit of Your holy people. Thank You for telling us ahead of time what would happen so that we are not surprised, and do not fall into despair. Comfort us with Your Holy Spirit when we are persecuted for Your name, and give us joy that we are found worthy to be such witnesses to the salvation of others, and the glory of Your holy name, amen.