Day 27 – What’s On the Other Side
When you hear the end is near, realize that it could be, or it may be 1 or 2,000 years away. The words of Jesus below tell us that the end will not come until the gospel has been proclaimed throughout the world to all nations, and that it will certainly be obvious when it comes!
Matthew 24:14-28 (ESV)
“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. “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in then field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
The encouraging part of this scary picture of the end is knowing what is on the other side. When Jesus does return, wars, famine, and violence of any kind will stop. If you are ever overwhelmed with discouragement by the heartache of this world, stop for a moment and realize that there will be a day when peace and justice and love comes to this world, and it will come in the form of King Jesus Christ at his return. Jesus will make all things right!
Rev. Andy Bales
President/CEO of Union Rescue Mission