SCRIPTURE: Mark (NIV) 13:5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no-one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth-pains. 9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.
OBSERVATION: The gospel is the good news about Jesus paying for our sins with His death on the cross. That payment sets us free from paying for our own sins by spending eternity in hell. That payment secures for us an entrance into spending eternity in heaven.
The requirement is that every nation must hear the good news. It is the fulfillment of the Great Commission Jesus gave His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Matthew 28:18-20]
APPLICATION: The events this week as Russia invades Ukraine are strong indications that we are approaching the end. I am privileged to be a part of the end time requirement to “preach the gospel to all nations.” The Holy Spirit’s anointing has been given to enable me/us to be a part of this important task. (Acts 1:8)
I must be aware of the people God brings my way. And I must be ready to share the gospel with them.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I need your anointing to empower me to witness to my generation—to my family, my neighbors, my friends, and others. Amen
Pastor Leon
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