By your endurance you will gain your lives. – Luke 21:19
Persecution, tribulation, and catastrophes are all unpleasant things to think about. In this passage, Jesus describes what the end times will be like. Nations will rise against nations, Christians will be sold out by their own friends and relatives, and they will be accused before authorities. Believers are to pray for the strength to escape persecution (Luke 21:36). Today’s verse says, “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” In other words, hang in there, keep your faith, and believe your redemption draws near.
In Romans 8, Paul compares the sufferings in this world to a woman in labor. “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:22-23).
Christians hold to God’s promises: the promise of answered prayers in the name of Jesus, the promise of eternal life, the promise that Christ will return and the dead in Christ will rise first, then those who remain will be caught up in the air with Jesus. Do not neglect the promise for answered prayer. Pray for God’s will to be done on Earth. Intercede for your loved ones and all unbelievers to repent and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Meditate on His promised return and be prepared to endure hardships here on earth, in faith. Pray particularly for the United States that the name of Jesus will be lifted up and He will draw people to Himself.
Today’s Verse: Luke 21:19
By your endurance you will gain your lives.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 24:1-14
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
