Mark 13:3-8
As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?” Jesus began by telling them, “Be careful that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. “Whenever you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled. Such things must happen, but the end is not yet. In fact, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We have the same questions about the end; when will it come? We hear and see the wars between Ukraine and Russia on the news; while we don’t like what is happening, you give us comfort and tell us not to be troubled; these happenings are a part of the journey to the end times. So we pray for the people amid that conflict; while they are still working, caring for their families during the battle, you would watch over and protect them as only you can.
You also warned those four apostles about false prophets coming in your name; in this generation, we have had our share of them. So how do we know whom to trust? John (in his letter—1 John) wrote that those who preach a salvational message by any means other than your suffering and death on the cross are false prophets. Salvation comes to us only by faith in you. We cannot work our way to heaven, we cannot pray to the saints to save us, and we can never be good enough to achieve salvation. It comes to us by faith in you. You came to this earth and suffered for the world’s sins on the cross. So whoever believes in you will not perish but have everlasting life through you.
You also told those disciples there would be earthquakes and famines, and these are the birth pains, and the earth awaits your next coming. As we witness these things, be with us and prepare us for your arrival. Forgive us all our sins, help us to see all the ways we are loveless to those around us, and forgive us. We pray that you would send us your Holy Spirit to increase our faith and love for you so that we would love you above all other things. Also, remove our fear of sharing the gospel with others; so that they will have faith and trust in you to be saved by hearing your gospel. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
The end of times will certainly come; Jesus told the disciples about this event. So we each prepare by acknowledging and confessing all our sins and knowing Jesus has forgiven them on the cross. Jesus washed our sins away with his life-giving blood so that we have eternal life.