God’s glory is for This Present Age. Some say revival cannot come, but Jesus said that it will.
What Will Be The Sign?
In Steve’s many years preaching across America and around the world, he has met many preachers who resist revival. They say, ‘It’s not Scriptural. It’s the last days. The devil will take over.’ So many people confuse the ‘end of the age’ with the end of the world. They believe the world will get worse and worse, culminating in a cataclysmic end at the hands of the devil.
But God is not a deadbeat Father. He does not abandon His children to the devil and hopelessness!
In Matthew 24, Jesus looks at Jerusalem and remarks upon the beautiful buildings that will soon come down. The disciples ask, “What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” Jesus starts speaking about the end of the age that they are in, the end of the age of that Jerusalem and that age of Judaism. This would come to fruition with the destruction of the Temple and the Romans reconquering Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Although Jesus was speaking about a certain time and event that has now already passed, this Scripture has relevance for us. Jesus will come in judgment. People are still trying to alarm us, and we should not be moved.
It’s Not The End!
The end of the world is not here yet. So who is in charge of this age until the time of Jesus’ return? Certainly not the devil, earthquakes, or famine!
“The End doesn’t come by famine, sword, or earthquakes. The End comes by preaching.”
STEVE GRAY
In verse 14, Jesus declares, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” The preachers are in charge. The end will be ushered in by right preaching of the gospel.
Revival and an outpouring of His Spirit and power can and must come. The end of that age of Jerusalem and its destruction already came and went. Disasters and wars may come in this age, cause people to turn to God, and lead up to revival. The End will see the Bride of Christ glorifying Christ, and the people of God will fully love Jesus and go as far as they can to glorify Him.
Further Bible Reading:
Matthew 24:1-14 (NIV) * Suggested to read the entire chapter
1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.
2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.
6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Questions:
Have you encountered resistance to revival?
Why did they or you think revival is/was not possible or Biblical?
What is your understanding of This Age and The End Times?
How does Matthew 24 and this episode help clarify your understanding of God’s plan for the present age and the end before Jesus returns?
