The Day and Hour is Near
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The Day and Hour is Near
Daniel 9:4-19
Psalm 56
1 Peter 4:12-18
Matthew 24:4-35
This week I felt led away from the lectionary and away from the subject of bread. The current events this week may lead to more fear and unrest in our world today. Unfortunately, this is not something that is new to Christians of the world today. These circumstances may lead to more fear, suffering, and persecution of Christians and Americans all over the world. However, we are called to overcome our fear and to take joy in our sufferings as Jesus has overcome the world.
In the early church Christians were forced to undergo through some of the worst persecution under the rule of the Roman emperor Nero. Nero had this great need to be building and developing his kingdom. However, in order to do that much of the old had to be destroyed. Therefore, he had the city set ablaze therefore destroying the homes of his people and killing many as well. It couldn’t be known that he was responsible for these fires and many of the aristocratic leaders who knew what really happened were silenced from speaking or they disappeared. Nero decided to use the already controversial Christians to be his scape goat to take pressure off of himself. He started to blame the Christians for starting the fires. In so do doing Christians were put in prison, fed to lions, publicly so that Romans could watch and be entertained. They were burned alive at night to light the city and it is from this that we get the term Roman Candle.
It is believed that Peter wrote his epistle right around this time that Nero was dishing out this persecution. Peter tells us that Christians should not be surprised that they were facing such persecution. In fact, Peter suggests that they should consider it to be joyous to suffer for the name of Christ. He says, that if we suffer it should not be for legitimate crimes that we have committed but for our innocence and for bearing the name of Christ. Peter says that “it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household… What will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” It is hard enough for the righteous people to be saved therefore what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? Therefore, those who suffer for the name of Christ, according to God’s will we must commit ourselves to our faithful creator and keep on doing good.
The world should not be surprised of the things that are going on for many have turned their backs of God and have turned to false prophets and false religions. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” This means that this is not even the end yet but there is still more to come. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes (much like the recent one in Haiti) in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” This here is not even the end yet but only the beginning. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” This will be a time when the true believers will be sifted out from the false believers. For there will be many who will turn away from the faith and hate each other. Then there will be many false prophets to appear who deceive people. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” We will face tribulation and persecution. We will not be protected by this land of freedom forever and we can see that we are rapidly becoming less free all the time. But those who endure this to the end will be saved and will see Christ come in glory and live with Him forever.
I believe that Daniel’s prayer is fitting today as it seems to be more than just a confession of Israel but in reality, it is a confession of the world and the country of the United States. This country was founded upon biblical principles and upon the desire to express one’s faith in God and worship Him freely without the persecution of the British government. For 200 years this remained to be so but in recent times it seems that we have fallen away and allowed ourselves to be deceived by sin. Therefore, Daniel’s confession rings true to that of the United States today. But again, this is all things that have been foretold to come. Our job is to remain faithful though trials may come.
The day and hour is near but it is unknown. But we should not be surprised that Christians are being silenced and censored in our country today. We should not be surprised by the aggressiveness of the LGBTQ community to have their way and their anger towards Christians who call out their behavior as sin as it is defined to be so by the word of God. We should not be surprised that some “Christian” denominations or individual churches are giving in to woke culture and LGBTQ acceptance. For Jesus says that even some of the elect will be led astray. These are still just the beginnings of what is to come.
We are privileged to have lived in a country in our life time that has been protected by tyranny. We are privileged to be able to walk where we wish, to go and travel where we wish, to live where ever we wish, to buy whatever we wish. We have not been told what books we are allowed to read and we are not arrested or put to death for speaking against our political leaders or for calling them out when they do wrong. However, understand that this may not be the case forever. But regardless of what happens we as Followers of Christ are called to endure to the end and to continue doing good despite all that we may face. This is what we are called to do as Christ followers. However, talk is cheap, the question is will you really remain true to till the end or will you falter and fail to avoid suffering?
The Taliban follows the true intentions and teachings of the Quran. They follow the example of Mohammed. As they have conquered cities they give their enemies a choice, convert to Islam or die. Most Muslims are peaceful people and do not support these actions of terrorism. However, most Muslims also do not know the true history of Mohammed. Many Christians will be put to the test as the Taliban has put people to the test. If someone like the Taliban were giving you the choice today to convert or die, would you fall away from your faith to save your life or would you endure and give your life for the name of Christ willingly. This is a question that I think we all must ask ourselves, myself included. This is the true test of our faith. We are privileged now to not have to face such questions in reality. However, I must tell you that this may not always be the case and in fact scripture tells us that this is so. The Day and Hour is Near! Are you prepared for what it may bring?