These are but the beginning of the birth pains. “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
Since Jesus first uttered these words there has been a plethora of speculation concerning the timing of the events. Some hold to the idea that he was predicting the destruction of Jerusalem some thirty years later and others feel that he was predicting events that are yet to come. Either way, it seems that many since then have experienced persecution for their faith. Many, like the apostles, were martyred for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
The admonition to disciples then and now is that this persecution was foreseen ages ago and is but a part of the birth pains of the kingdom of God. In reality God has determined, in ages past, that the proclamation of the gospel is worthy of this kind of maltreatment. When we witness this sort of prejudice and violence we are to understand that a new age is being born before our very eyes. God wants everyone everywhere to hear the gospel of Christ!
Your message is worthy of proclamation Lord Jesus! Help me to be a witness today.
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I echo your prayer!
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