Stay Faithful By Ed McDowell

When Things Are Going to Get Intense – Stay Faithful

Jesus is, was, and will always be Faithful and True. Jesus draws from Daniel, Joel, and Isaiah to describe the intensity of what is yet to come. There has never been anything this intense.

“For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.”

Matthew 24:21-22 NLT

Reflection

I do not pretend to understand the fullness of what Jesus describes in Matthew 24. Here are observations for you to consider with me:

• The Kingdom of God breaking into the kingdom of earth will be intense. Satan is clinging to his assigned domain of earth. Through Jesus, God is invading it and taking the world back under his control.

• Jesus spoke this to the disciples before his own death, which was to be crucifixion. At one point in the crucifixion, everything went dark. It was brutal. The sin of all time (past, present, and future) was brought to bear at that one moment in time. The concentration of evil assaulting God through Christ was at its peak.

• Satan thought this was an attack of victory for evil, where he would defeat God once and for all. This was to be his shining moment. God knew this was a sacrifice restoring humanity to a relationship with God. Through Christ, he is bringing the entire Kingdom of Heaven to be present and growing in the Kingdom of Earth. God is going to make all things new in his time.

• Jesus wanted to prepare the disciples for a time when He will no longer be with them. He told thme there is going to be a wide range of evil, wars, famines, and natural disasters. They will be hunted down and killed for believing in him and proclaiming the truth of who he is. And he let them know of a time when he would return, again.

As you read the other writers of the New Testament, there is a clear expectation of Christ’s return.

Encouragement

We find great encouragement by reading Matthew 24. This passage that spans both the pre-crucifixion and post-resurrection periods. What do you see? Does the Holy Spirit give you insight into what Jesus is speaking of?

Stay faithful to Christ, no matter how intense the circumstances become.

I encourage you now to read Eugene Peterson’s take on Matthew 24 as written in THE MESSAGE. You may even want to listen to it!

Meditate on it and see what encouragement it brings to you.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for this teaching of the intensity brought about by the Kingdom of God reclaiming the kingdom of earth through you.

We praise you for giving us a heads-up on the severe intensity that began with your crucifixion and resurrection.

Thank you for reminding us to be faithful with our eyes on you in and through it all.

Holy Spirit, we need your help every step of the way as we advance the Kingdom of God on earth, knowing there will be resistance along the way.

In your name, Jesus, we pray,

Amen.

Ed McDowell is the CEO of Warm Beach Camp Ministries. He coaches and consults on board leadership and development, bringing fresh perspectives to complex situations. Ed authorizes a devotional series titled A Well-Planted Faith in an Uprooted Culture. His writing and speaking aim to challenge people to let God’s Word inform their lives. Ed and his wife, Bev, live on Camano Island, Washington, where they live out their mission statement: “to give our lives away for the cause of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible.”

Join us as we celebrate 50 Years of equipping and uniting Christian leaders called to transform the world for Christ!

All CLA members who register 4 get a 5th registration, FREE. Come and multiply Kingdom impact!