“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6 (ESV)
Earlier this week a Russian nuclear powered (and weaponized) sub went missing, that is, it went stealth, leaving its Arctic dock and became unaccounted for by US intelligence. It is Russia’s super weapon, capable of launching a Poseidon torpedo/missile under water for 6000 miles, creating a 1600 ft radioactive tsunami. As a result, the US put several of its “doomsday planes” in the air and sent the huge, nuclear powered (and weaponized) aircraft carrier named USS Nimitz, to sea from the San Diego docks. Many “in the know people” urged others to urgently pray that WWIII would be avoided today! Also this week, without warning, nuclear armed North Korea fired a missile over Japan setting off a panic!
Jesus warned of this hour. He said there would be wars and rumors of wars. We must not allow these things to distract us from what God has for us in this hour. He said these things will come, but don’t be alarmed. These things are simply birth pangs. They are real, but are more signs of the times than the end. In fact, Jesus said these are the beginning of birth pangs (Matthew 24:8). He goes on to say that the end will not come until the “gospel of the kingdom has been preached in the whole world” (v. 14).
We are on the verge of the greatest harvest ever and we need to get ready for it! In the context of darkness, of wars and threat of WWIII, we need to prepare for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will bring in 1 billion souls. These converts need people to bring the gospel to them, to disciple them and train them as followers of Jesus! In this hour we will have the greatest opportunities and probably the greatest resistance this world has ever known. Choose to trust God over what the reports you hear. Trust God and not what your mind says. No matter what happens, trust God with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
Cast your fear, worries and concerns at Jesus’ feet. Ask Him for a grace to get ready for the harvest that is coming. Ask God to prepare your pastor, your church and churches across our city. Ask Him for a grace to realign how we “do” church in this hour of history, vs how we have been doing it. Pray that the gospel of the kingdom would come from your church and the churches across our city to the nations of the world!
