Fear or Faith

      The last days will be a time of great trial upon the earth. We have looked at the teaching of Jesus concerning the time of the end, comparing it to the breaking of the seals in the book of Revelation. Up to this point we have briefly discussed deception, wars, famines, persecution, and the signs in the heavens that will precede the second coming of Jesus.

     Jesus, at the close of His parable on prayer found in Luke 18:1-8, asks a question that we all should seriously ponder. "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" This parable closes with the mention of the elect crying out to God for justice, and His faithfulness to carry it out (Luke 18:7-8). Revelation 6:9-10 tells of the martyred saints crying out to the Lord for judgement, and an avenging of their blood, upon those who dwell upon the earth. I think this is no accident, and Jesus is teaching us that persistent prayer is linked to faith, and that it is, and will be absolutely necessary to make it through the time of sorrow coming upon the world. 

     "But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36 NASB). At first glance many may think this is a reference to a pre-trib rapture, hoping that we as Christians will not experience any of these events. But why pray that we will have strength to be raptured? It makes no sense. Jesus is telling us that in light of all the chaos taking place around us, the persecution, the deception, apostasy, natural disasters and cosmic signs, we must have an unwavering faith. "By your endurance you will gain your lives" (Luke 21:19). "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved" (Matt 24:13). "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son" (Rev 21:7).

     Contrast this with the unbelieving people of this earth, great and small, who hide themselves from the wrath of God, calling for the mountains and rocks to cover them from His presence (Rev 6:15-17). Jesus tells us that men will faint from fear as all these things are happening (Luke 21:26). But as for those of us who love Him, and long for His appearing (2 Tim 4:8), when we see these things taking place, we must look up for our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).