As we continue our series on The Gospel, today’s verse seems so current given the times we are living. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35 NASB) We look around us and see chaos, plagues, hatred, and natural disasters coming one after another. 2020 has left us pretty much shell-shocked. As I see what is going on around us, I can’t help but think Jesus’ Coming is VERY close!
Our Scripture today is in answer to the Disciples’ questions about what the signs would be for the End Times and Jesus’ return. Read the entire chapter and what you read you will see being played out in the news daily. Jesus told of days of rampant sin (just like the days of Noah – verse 37), wars and rumors of wars (verse 6), false prophets (verse 11), famines and earthquakes (verse 7) and He said that these were just the BEGINNING of birth pangs, these are just the beginning of the End Times. Just as a woman is at the beginning of contractions, birth isn’t immediate but is the start of the birthing process, so are the signs of the times. The signs of Jesus’ soon return are everywhere and we need to be prepared.
Jesus describes the Tribulation Period as a time of great peril, and thankfully, Jesus will come and take us home before the seven years of Tribulation come. We in the United States haven’t seen much in the way of persecution, but I think we are beginning to see the start of persecution for the Believer more and more, and we should pay close attention to the signs.
Despite all of this, Jesus gives His Disciples (and us) some words of encouragement. “Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.” God’s Word will stand forever. The Gospel, the GOOD NEWS, will never be destroyed! Regimes in the past have tried to destroy it many times, but still, it stands!
The Good News of Jesus birth, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and return stands amid all that is going on around us. Why? Because as Believers follow Jesus’ command to “preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 6:15), the Good News, the Gospel, is spread in printed word, through preaching and teaching, and through witnessing. All these ways ensure that God’s Word remains and the Good News of Jesus’ love for us continues.
Jesus also tells us not to be afraid but to be watchful because, His Coming will be like a thief in the night (verses 42-44), no one knows when He will come, therefore we are to be ready. We are also told to “…always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (I Peter 3:15) As we share with those around us about Jesus and His love for us, His sacrifice on the Cross, and His soon return, we are sharing how He can change our hearts, give us peace, and make us a new creation, by accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. We are being obedient to Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel, and we are ensuring that His Word will never die.
The world may be bent on destroying God’s Word, but God’s Word will stand forever. Are you ready? Are you spreading the Good News? Time is short, Jesus is coming!
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