It is easy to be impressed by the beauty and adornment of the world, but everything in the world is perishable. Jesus teaches us to see with God's eternal vision. The disciples wanted to know the sign of the coming of Jesus. Jesus wanted them to be able to discern the living God amid the calamities of the world. The rising level of deceit, the increase in wars and natural disasters-all these portend the end times in our eyes. But Jesus said all these are the beginning of birth pains. He teaches us to see God who is making all things new.

It wasn't just the outside world that would experience stressful days. The disciples would undergo persecution, hatred and even death because of Jesus. Many within the church would turn away and teach false doctrines. Others would become cold and lack love in their hearts. Jesus taught the disciples to stand firm in these situations. They would experience his salvation. This is how they would be used as testimonies of the gospel to all nations. The end will only come when the work of God-the preaching of the gospel in this way-is complete.


Application: Lord, help me to see you in these times. Make me a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus in all things.
One Word: The gospel will be preached