End-Time Insights

SYNOPSIS  -  When Christians react in kind to hostility, whether from government, society or individuals, Satan triumphs  –  Matthew 5:12 .  According to many news reports, the persecution of Christians is on the rise in many countries. This raises some basic questions; for example -  How should Christians react to persecution , especially when implemented by governing authorities? Ought they to respond with indignation, civil disobedience, and public protests? Do they not have the “right” to do so, at least in western-style democracies? Or should disciples of Jesus follow his example and that of the Apostles and early church? - [ Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash ].

SYNOPSIS  -  Mercy and love are the defining characteristics of the disciple of Jesus and reflect the nature of God  –  Matthew 5:43-48 .  Christians can be confused and even overwhelmed by the exhortation of Jesus given in the middle of his  Sermon on the Mount  - “ Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect .” Our tendency to assume that “ perfect ” refers to a standard of righteousness impossible for any human to attain - How can any man or woman ever hope to emulate the perfect righteousness of God? - [ Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash ].

SYNOPSIS  -  One ignores the words of Jesus at great peril - As he himself warned at the conclusion of his “Sermon on the Mount”  –  Matthew 7:21-28 .  Often, the so-called ‘ Sermon on the Mount ’ is seen as unrealistic, an idealistic dream that does not work in real life. In part, this view stems from a failure to understand the purpose of this discourse - It is not a program for reforming civil society or economic justice. In its concluding section, Jesus stressed just how pivotal his teachings were for his disciples, and he invested them with ultimate authority. - [ Photo by  Carl Cerstrand  on Unsplash ].

SYNOPSIS  -  The parable of the budding fig tree pointed to the destruction of the Temple predicted by Jesus  –  Mark 13:28-29 .  Next, Jesus gave his parable of a “ budding fig tree .” The illustration was the first part of the answer to the disciples’ original question – “ When will these things come to pass? ” The image of a fig tree sprouting foliage provided the clue for the “ when ” of the predicted events – Its sprouting foliage would signal the arrival of “ summer ,” the time of the fulfillment of “ all these things .”

SYNOPSIS  –  The whole earth will witness the “Son of Man” arriving on the clouds to gather his “elect” to himself  – Mark 13:21-27 .  The narrative now takes us beyond the “ abomination of desolation ,” the destruction of Jerusalem, and the horrific “ tribulation ” to the return of the “ Son of Man ” to gather this “ elect .” How much time will pass between the “ tribulation ” and the arrival of Jesus is not stated. However, during the interim, the church must beware of “ false prophets ” who will disseminate false information about his coming, employing impressive “ signs and wonders ” to validate their claims.