diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_21:10-19.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_21:10-19.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..121759e --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_21:10-19.md @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ ++++ +title = "Luke 21:10–19" +date = "2023-01-30" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk21.10-19) + +Having said that the Day of the Lord will not be in the immediate future, Jesus +gives more details about what kinds of things will happen before then. Wars, +earthquakes, famines, and pestilences will sweep across the earth at various +times. "Terrors and great signs from heaven" (_v. 11_) is an interesting +phrase, and it may mean that these things will happen periodically before the +end times too. If so, they are an expression of God's mercy, by giving people a +chance to repent of their sins and follow Him before they are swept away in +judgement. + +Before all these things, though, the followers of Jesus will be persecuted and +handed over to the authorities. Jesus encourages His disciples by saying that +He will give them the words to speak at that time, so that the rulers will have +an opportunity to hear the Gospel as well. Whether the rulers repent and +believe is not the disciples' concern, though, for some will and some won't. +Some disciples will be set free, some will be beaten and imprisoned, and some +will be put to death. + +And yet, Jesus says not one of them will perish. This only makes sense if there +is life after death, and in this way Jesus has promised His followers that He +will take care of them even through death, for it is not the end of them. Being +faithful to Jesus is more important than preserving our own lives because our +relationship with Him will last so much longer than the short time we have on +this earth. + +* * * + +Give us the endurace to pursue You over our own self-interests.