End Times

Jude 20

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

 

 

Believers have been warned that the end times will be full to the brim with scoffers who follow their own ungodly passions. Their aim and purpose is to cause dissension because they are of this world and are devoid of the Spirit of God. Sadly, this world is all they have, and their spiritual eyes are so dim they think they love it. They have bought the lie in all its forms. Can they even do damage to the church? Most assuredly! Jude warns believers, the beloved, to build themselves up in the faith, to pray in the Holy Spirit, to keep themselves in the love of God, and to wait for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ when He calls His own home.  Pretty specific instructions that must be followed and obeyed to be protected, but how do we reach others with the gospel of grace?

 

Jude says to have mercy on doubters [but at the same time, be on guard], save them by snatching them out of the fire [Satan's control over their life will lead to eternal fire and torment.], to others show mercy with fear [fear for the pollution that a believer will be around], hating even the stained fleshly garments that they wear [be merciful but never forget the power of the flesh. Expose sin for what it is. Say exactly what God says about their sin. Use His Words to fight the battle. To do this I must know His words. They must be part of my being.]. 

 

Always remember to be surrounded and covered in prayer. A battle with Satanic forces is no picnic; and sadly, some have lost their way in this polluted battle ground. Jude concludes with a glorious benediction, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling [falling into the same sinkhole that the ungodly are in.] and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy [Holiness and blamelessness come only from the righteousness of Christ. I must be in Him to be presented in this way. He alone can do it by His shed blood and resurrection.], to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen How glorious is that! God through Jesus deserves all praise, glory, dominion and authority. He is the Sovereign God whose purposes and will have ordered all time from the foundation of the world. He is the Sovereign God who created all there is and set it in working order. He is the Sovereign God who in love bridged the gulf of separation and hostility by sending His one and only Son to die, pay the debt of sin, and rise again in resurrection power. He is the Sovereign God who will balance the scales of justice one day until Jesus is exalted above all and His name becomes the name above all names so at His name every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of the Father. Wow! Wow! Wow! And I am an adopted child of God, an heir, and a joint heir with Jesus, a citizen of the kingdom, and a worshipper at the feet of the Lamb and the Father for eternity. What a glorious future and hope! Certainly, the blessed hope!

 

Father,

My heart is full of praise and thanks this morning. How glorious You are! How glorious is Your Son! How glorious is Your Spirit. Open my eyes to see those you would have me share the gospel with. Protect my soul while I do share. Keep my eyes ever focused on You and Your grace. Open the ears of my heart so that I might hear clearly every word that the Spirit speaks.

In the Name above all names,

Amen