The first time I heard about the tribulation and rapture, my young mind went wild. From then on, whenever I couldn’t find my parents in a grocery store, it hit just a little differently. When I woke up and the house was quiet, I would wonder, Is this the end of the world? Did the rapture happen? Have I been left behind?
As I got older, I spent more time studying Scripture, looking for clues on when the earth as we know it would come to an end. What I found was this: no one has concrete answers on the day and time it will all go down—“neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—[no one] except the Father” (Matthew 24:36). And that’s more than okay. Still, there’s something in our human nature that leaves us longing to know everything. We want answers, and we want them now. But God doesn’t ask us to know everything. He asks us to trust Him.
In Mark 13, Jesus’s disciples asked Him about the end of the age. They knew everything was going to change, but they wanted specifics. They wanted to know the details, what signs to look for so they could prepare themselves (v.4).
Jesus talks about the end of the age and warns them that in the days ahead, there will be false prophets, wars, famine, and turmoil (Mark 13:5–6). The disciples would go on to face persecution like never before, but their calling would remain the same: to preach the gospel to all nations (v.10). And instead of the end of time, these signs would represent the start of something new. When Jesus left, the Holy Spirit would come in His place, and His followers would never be alone or without Him again (v.11).
I imagine that was a lot for the disciples to hear, let alone understand—that even when everything seems like a mystery and feels confusing, in reality, God remains on His throne. He remains in control. And when He comes again, we will see that He still holds all glory and power (vv.26–27). Knowing this, Jesus makes a promise to His disciples:
“Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will never pass away” (Mark 13:31).
Only God knows what is to come. Some things are just not for us to know. As followers of Jesus, our job is to trust, watch, and stay alert. In the meantime, how we live and wait for Him matters (vv.32–37). One day, the earth will wear out like a garment; nothing in it will last (Isaiah 51:6). Nice cars, expensive shoes, dream jobs, money, and power—it’s all passing away. But God’s salvation and righteousness will last forever. That is what we cling to. That is the only thing we need to know.
Heidi, praying for you and your husband. May the Lord open the eyes of understanding for your husband to see and be encouraged.
Today’s devotional was such a good reminder of where we need to put our hope. Our hope is in Christ. He is the only thing that won’t pass away. As we look forward to celebrating his first coming this Sunday, I pray we can remain alert and awake for his second coming. Happy Holy Week ladies!
For the Son of Man is as a man taking a FAR journey, who LEFT his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Lest coming suddenly he find you SLEEPING. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.
Let not the comfort of this life, the “security” of predictable routines, the exhaustion of a long wait lull us to sleep. Often the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Father, give us strength to keep watch and pray, keep the fire burning within us to do the work You give to each person. In hope, I wait for your return.
EDIT- “feel “god” is responsible (for the false teaching), not man’s misinterpretation.”
DEANNA-
What a testament you are to the definition of devotion- not to a religion or system- but to your God. To your Savior. To recognize the teaching was false. The people responsible were wrong. The God- He was (and is) always good and always true. Keep telling your story- especially to those who have a bad experience (as we all do with MOST THINGS and don’t give up on them..) and feel “God” is responsive, not man’s misinterpretation. ❤️
Abby asks us to trust in God. This last year it seems that is what I have done. No not just because of the pandemic but because I have had a loss a family member — she was more than my niece, she was like the daughter I never had and a roommate and a friend. The Lord has gotten me this far and I know I can depend on Him to be there through out. Abby’s words “Some things are just not for us to know.” rang home and I will be putting them up where I can see them. But the main thing I and all of us need to remember is what Abby said about salvation and that this is why Christ came and died for us. This is ours for the taking, God gave it freely and lovingly.
Sisters have a blessed day.
Catching up from yesterday and the things that are standing out to me are my need to surrender everything to the Lord, to trust Him, to love Him above anything else in my life, to act according to His will, how I live matters, and to keep my eyes focused on things above. How I struggle with all of those things regularly. Thankful that Jesus made a way when there was no other way <3
What a wonderful reminder that the things of this world- good and bad- will pass away. Only the things of God are eternal!❤️