Today’s Reading: Matthew Ch 24-25
Optional readings: Matt 26:1-5, Mark Ch 13, Luke 21:5-38, John 12:20-50
Jerusalem-Sermons
There is an old joke regarding Bible prophecy:
“Premillenial? Postmillenial? Amillenial?
I’m Panmillenial. I just know it will all “pan out” in the end!”
I see the point; the believer is on the winning side, and we can take comfort in that. But… I can also see this as an excuse for plain laziness in Bible study.
I’ve written about arrogance in prophetic certainty. Prophecy is not a playground in which to speculate, but it is also not a part of Scripture that we can ignore.
About one-third of the Bible is prophecy. Some has been fulfilled, and some is yet to be. Some teachings are spoken plainly, while some writing is much more symbolic.
Prophetic/apocalyptic literature is difficult, even for the most dedicated scholar. That does not mean we shouldn’t study it, though. We need to care about it. Why?
Jesus didn’t usually teach something that He didn’t expect us to hear. If he talked about it, we should probably study it.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and the Sadducees for not recognizing the prophetic signs of their time.
“You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky,
but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Mt 16:3).
He says repeatedly, “watch out,” “let the reader understand,” and “keep watch.” Know the signs so you can watch for them.
Perhaps most importantly, studying prophecy should spur us on to evangelism! If we know the end of the story, our love for others should compel us to tell as many people as possible about salvation in Jesus!
Penn Jillette, from the famous magician act “Penn & Teller,” is well known as an atheist. Listen to what he has to say about apathy (or fear) regarding evangelism:
“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?
“I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”
I am convicted.
Why am I not more bold about sharing my faith?
Don’t people need to hear the gospel…for the sake of their own eternity?
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
Romans 10:14
ALL believers are missionaries. Whatever the context, we are to be sharing the good news of Jesus.
I have a vague recollection of a sermon illustration from a long time ago. I can’t give credit because I have no idea where I heard it, but it always stuck with me.
One of my recurring fears is that I will be at the Judgment and I will see an earthly friend or coworker across the way who has just learned of his eternal fate. In his terror, he looks right at me and asks, “Why didn’t you tell me?!”
Lord Jesus, I don’t know many details about what’s going to happen when You return or what exactly is on the other side of death, but I know enough. You’ve taught us enough that I have no excuse for my apathy. Give me courage; give me boldness; give me opportunity. Amen.