More than we realise we need to have that private conversation with Jesus which brings assurance to us over many situations of our lives.
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24 v 3)
The disciples link the 2 questions: the Temple’s destruction and the second coming of Christ as the same event. In Luke’s account he seems to focus on the AD70 destruction event whilst Matthew covers the end-time which accounts for the 2 linked questions.
It was playing on their mind, they were probably discussing it amongst themselves and so they approach him in private.
The response of Jesus in this long passage reveal that what was on Jesus’ mind was definitely certain difficult events that would happen in history towards God’s people; how we should live in the waiting period of His return and then what would happen at that end-time coming.
These words have proven to be of enormous comfort to those who have faced constant persecution and suffering as followers of Jesus since the resurrection.
On the day of Stephen’s martyr in AD34 a great persecution broke out against the Christians but it certainly wasn’t the greatest. In AD64 Rome had a huge fire break out that lasted nearly a week and burned three quarters of the city. The people blamed the Emperor Nero for the fire and he in turn blamed the Christians. The Romans rounded them all up and in a savage and brutal way killed them. But the persecution and destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple was the pinnacle. Can you imagine how these words of the gospel would encourage the believers?
But the instructions contained within the prophecy have comforted and encouraged many throughout the persecuted history of the Christian Church, not just the Jesus’ generation but even today.
What’s the worst thing that has ever happened to you?
The Bible, the Gospel, the words of Jesus have and still bring great strength into our darkest days.
Go to Jesus privately today, take your questions, take your Bible and let Him comfort you even today in 2021. You may be going through a difficult season or you may be fearing tomorrow. Have that private conversation right now. He knows the end from the beginning.
Missions Paul 