| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Deep Discipleship” Our Bible verse for today: “I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary.” Revelation 2:3 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Are these the last days?” War is raging in the Middle East again. Israel has been attacked and they are at war against Hamas. The conflict is large, it is serious, and it appears to be spreading. As Christians we need to be praying for Israel, and as Americans we must insist our government provide Israel with all the help they need in order to defeat this enemy and win this war. Some Christians are also concluding that this war is a clear sign that we are nearing the End Times and the Second Coming of Christ. Are we? Does this war signal the beginning of the end? To address that question let me take us to the book of Revelation. God had the Apostle John write it more than 1900 years ago (best estimate is A.D. 95). It was written originally to seven churches in Asia Minor with the intent that it would then be shared with all other churches throughout the Roman Empire. In their introduction to the book of Revelation the editors of the Experiencing God Study Bible note that those original readers were living in a world of terrible oppression, under the hand of a tyrannical government (Rome), and many of them believed they were living in the last days and that the Second Coming of Christ was about to happen. Obviously, they were not living in the last days. That was 2000 years ago and we’re all still here. The truth is that every generation of Christians since the time of Jesus have thought there were events occurring in their world that proved they were living in the End Times. And every one of those generations have been wrong. Someday, some generation will be correct but until then history will continue to unfold – and that will be true despite how desperate circumstances appear at any given time in history. The current war is serious. However, since its declaration of independence in May 1948 Israel has fought and won eight declared wars, as well as two other major Palestinian uprisings and numerous other armed conflicts. They won them all, and they will win this one too. Could we be living in the End Times? We could be. That is always potentially true. But historically and statistically we probably are not. How then, should we as Christians approach the times in which we do live? We find a clue in the words the Lord had John write to the church in Ephesus. In 2:3 (above) He commended them for their past faithfulness in the face of difficult circumstances. Then in verses 4-5 He said, “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first.” We have a job to do. Our focus needs to be less on whether these may or may not be the last days and more on simply being on-mission with Jesus in the world as it is. The Great Commission (to share the Good News and to make disciples), and the Great Commandment (to love others), is still our gameplan. Nothing has changed. Love others in the name of Jesus; tell them the Good News of the Gospel; and leave it to God to determine dates and times. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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