Yeshua’s declaration would, of course, be most unsettling to His hearers. When had there ever been such a thing as that? In our day, in which we have seen the total destruction of cities in the flash of a nuclear bomb or more slowly in the hail of repeated waves of fire bombings, this is not such a surprising thing, although still terrible. What would be the signs of the coming of this and of the end of the age?

This was actually a two-fold question, and as a stone cast into a body of standing water will produce concentric rings, so too can a prophesy deal with more than one event or set of events. Here we find Yeshua’s prophesy dealing with the end of the Jewish Age when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed (Utterly destroyed as related to us by the historian Josephus who recorded that they were so completely destroyed that one searching for Jerusalem could not find it - it was gone!) and then with the end of the world as it has stood since the Flood.

There will be false Christs, wars, famine, pestilences and earthquakes. Godlessness will increase and cause the love of many to grow cold. Those of us who follow Yeshua will be persecuted and there will be betrayal and hatred - birth pains announcing the coming of a new age. Indeed the message of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world first, because God is just, He will not allow these things to come without there first being adequate warning; there must be the possibility to choose which way one will follow.

How are we who follow Christ/Messiah to be? We should be different; the world should see that we truly follow Him. Was it not through our love for one another that the world would know that we are His followers? That first and foremost, but also a hunger and thirst for righteousness, as that lamp which we should be - that city on a hill.

A close, personal walk with our Lord is also essential. As is very correctly pointed out in this lesson, one may make all preparations possible, but still that could very easily be put to naught or be insufficent. A mighty fortess is our God … How I desire for myself and my family to be among those whom Messiah will gather under His wings as does a mother hen her chicks; would that I could be given the words to convince those around me to seek that same shelter while there is still time …

Praise be to God for the mercy of the teaching of His Word!

Shalom,

Don

It’s quite disturbing when I am forced to recall the persecution the first century believers had to endure for their faith. We are so blessed here in the USA not to have to go through that. Things are changing though. As a country, I believe we have rejected God. His blessings have been removed. I am amazed at His mercy and patience with the United States. I am not so sure that American Revolution was His will for this land. (This is a radical stance for a once flag waving American to take, but it is a topic for another day.) But even if all that the modern American Christian Church teaches about our founding fathers were true, in that they were God fearing believers (no doubt some of them were), there have been many lies, deceptions and political coverups since the birth of this “great nation”. Again I have to state it, I am amazed at His mercy and patience with the United States.
The beauty of reading His word is that He doesn’t cover up or try to hide the lies and deceit of His people. He puts it out there for all to read. I am sure that if I were Abraham, Moses or David I would probably not want all the details of my doings printed in the pages of a book that not only lasted for a few millennia, but is probably the most popular book ever printed. Yet Yahweh, even for His heroes, gives it to us straight. He also tells us the punishment for their disobedience.

Wow, I really got off topic. The point of all of this is that the persecution is coming in the USA. As you stated in your program, Eliyahu, the only way to get through this (even if it means giving up our lives) is to have a deep personal relationship with Yeshua and to cultivate and nurture that relationship.
I can speak from personal experience, as most of us can, that when we go through an earth shattering thing, isn’t He there? Doesn’t His Holy Spirit wrap us up in a spiritual cocoon and give us that peace that we just can’t explain? Isn’t His presence at its greatest during those times? Doesn’t He say that He will never leave us or forsake us? I know He does say this because I’ve read it in His word and I believe it. I’ve felt it and I’ve experienced it.
When the time comes that our faith is tested, in whatever manner that is, He will be there to get His children through it. We have to be willing to go through it with Him.

It is a well worn story but it always give me chills when I recount it. When Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abed-Nego) were given the ultimatum of worshiping the gods of Babylon and the golden idol set up by Nebuchadnezzar or they would die in the fiery furnace. They said, “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you , O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will worship the gold image which you have set up.” That answer has to be cemented in our hearts and minds so that when the day comes that we are tested we will be able to stand for Him.

That is my prayer for myself, my family and all of you believers in Yeshua.
Praise His Holy Name.

Shalom,

Don

Wow, if more people would get on board with this talmidim program, so much insight will be revealed to U, & it is all worth the time spent listening to all these programs.