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PREPARE, NOT PREDICT
THURSDAY, MARCH 10
Mark 13:32-37

Luke 12:32-38

 

“But of that day and that

hour knoweth no man….”

 

PREPARE, NOT PREDICT
 
When will the world end? Jesus says, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). God in His wisdom chooses not to tell us exactly when. He wants to keep us on our toes. It can happen at any time or any moment, and we just have to be always ready, all the time. Many have foolishly predicted the day and hour, or the year. They have shown themselves to be fake preachers and had to retreat in shame for prophesying falsely. Dr Chan Kai Lok of Singapore for example had predicted it would happen in 1988. Not too long ago, Dr Harold Camping from the United States predicted it would happen on May 21, 2011 and when it did not happen, changed it to October 21, 2011, but that too failed. The Lord had already said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man.” Which part of Jesus’ words did they not understand?
 
There are so many false Christs and false prophets today. Jesus spared no effort to warn, “Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many…. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect” (Mark 13:5,6,22). The antidote against deception is this, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim 4:16). Knowing “the doctrine,” i.e. the Truth, the Holy Scriptures, the whole counsel of God, the fundamentals of the faith, systematic theology, is so important and vital for our own spiritual safekeeping.
 
Another antidote is to watch and pray. “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is…. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh… Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping” (Mark 13:33,35,36). Our duty is not to make predictions, but to stay alert and prayerful—alert to the dangers so that we will not be deceived, and be prayerful so that we will remain faithful to the Lord till the end.
 
THOUGHT: Join your church prayer meeting.

PRAYER: Lord, keep me faithful and true to Thee till the end.

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