The alarming end time message.

The alarming end time message.

Luke 13: 22-30

22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

He said to them,

24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

What Jesus says should be alarming for some.

a. For the generation of that time. The ones who lived amongst Jesus, v26. Jesus is the last and only Messiah. No one else was following him to save them. Let’s pray for those who continue to follow false Messiahs.

b. For those who may wonder if Jesus is the Messiah but are delaying their commitment. There is an end coming for the opportunity to respond, better to do it now before your life ends and the chance is gone, v24. The doorway into heaven is found in earth and the door is Jesus. Let’s pray for those on the fence who are nearly there, they believe perhaps but they have not committed themselves to Jesus.

c. For those who despise the Gentiles, v29-30. The people of this world who have been the cruel enemies of the Jewish people will (even though Israel was chosen first) find themselves in the kingdom, undeservedly perhaps but full of the grace of God as they trust in Jesus. Let us pray for even those who we think will never change their life believing for the power of the gospel which still changes lives today.

d. For those who followed the patriarchs faithfully and who heard the prophets speak of the Messiah to come but have not even today recognised His coming, v28. It will be too late. Let’s pray for the Jews across the world today.

e. But not for all. Jesus doesn’t answer the question of how many get into heaven, v23. But he does encourage that we get there. I used to panic as a child wondering if Jesus would know me, v27. I have come to discover the door is still open and He continues to invite me into His existence and the more I go there I have found the assurance of the narrow door. Let’s thank God for Jesus and for our assurance of eternal life.