Signs of Jesus second coming, faith or fear? Why Persecution? Being ready

End times, Jesus’ second coming, eschatology, etc …
— these are hot topics, … whenever disaster, wars, crises strike;
‘end of the world’ predictions, extrapolations, theories, signs, cause/effects, etc

Here’s some interesting statistical data that confirms this ( click here from Washington Post )

In this blogpost, we’ll examine Matthew 24:4-14, and consider:

Signs of Jesus second coming

Example of Joseph

Can God’s purpose be achieved?
Can the gospel of the kingdom be preached in the whole world, in the midst of persecution?
Is this possible?

What’s Jesus instruction to His followers in the end times?

Why will the love of most grow cold?
Why many turn away from the faith?

Why persecution?

Conclusion: Paul, our example

Appendix: Mark of the beast & Fig Tree?

(Each section is self-contained and can be read individually.
Along the way, some modern day testimonies are included)

As we read the signs of Jesus second coming,
let’s keep in mind what Jesus said at the end of the gospel of Matthew,
after His resurrection,

Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
¹⁸And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,
“All authority has been given to Me
in heaven and on earth.

Jesus is the sovereign Lord,

¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
²⁰teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;

the Lord’s focus – go, make disciples of all the nation

& the Lord’s promise
and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age. ^{Matt 28:18-20}

the Lord’s promise of His abiding presence & power with you always, even to the end of the age

⁵… for He Himself has said,
“I will never desert you,
nor will I ever forsake you,”

⁶so that we confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5, 6 (NASB)

Signs of Jesus second coming

Jesus described the signs leading to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (in AD 70)
and the signs of Jesus second coming in the gospels
— Matthew 24:5-36, Mark 13:1-37, and Luke 21:5-36

Matthew 24:4-14 (NIV)
^24:1Jesus left the temple

This was the final time Jesus left the temple in Jerusalem,
before he was arrested by the religious leaders,
… to be the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world,
to reconcile all people to God,
by a new and living way through Christ’s blood and body
into the the Most Holy place for everyone.
(1 John 2:2, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Hebrews 10:19-22)

and was walking away

(see also Ezekiel 10:18)

when his disciples came up to him
to call his attention to its buildings (the man-made temple).

^24:2“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.”

i.e. coming destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (in AD 70).
Jesus gives the reasons for this happening, in the preceding chapter — Matthew 23.

^24:3As 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?”

^24:4Jesus answered:

“Watch out

that no one deceives you.

^24:5For many will come
in my name, (in God’s name, in Christ’s name)
claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’

and will deceive many.

The very first thing Jesus warn us about the end times
— deception.

False messiahs. Heresy. False truths. Near truths.
fake news. alternative facts. truthiness, etc

A shift away from the Word of God – the Truth.

when the false, fake, near-truth … seems true

Examples: 2 Corinthians 11:3,4, 13-15, Galatians 2:4.

^24:6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,

but
see to it that
you are not alarmed. frightened or troubled ^(AMP)

Such things must happen,
but
the end is still to come.
the end won’t follow immediately. (NLT)

wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, etc
must happen

Jesus cautioned us,
See that you are not alarmed, frightened or troubled

On the night Jesus was betrayed & arrested,
Jesus promised His disciples,

John 14:27, 16:33 (NASB)
^14:27Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.

Do not let your heart be troubled,
nor let it be fearful.

^16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that
in Me you may have peace.

In the world you have tribulation,
but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

continuing on in Matthew 24,

^24:7Nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom.

Conflicts, wars, rumors of wars … nation against nation

The destructive sword of division between peoples, people groups, cultures, beliefs, nations,
… in need of hope,
reconciliation, forgiveness, healing, God’s love & peace.

kingdom against kingdom,
also includes spiritual warfare,
i.e. kingdom of light against kingdom of darkness

In John 10, Jesus explained the work of the enemy,
¹⁰The thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy;

and the work of Jesus,

I have come
that they may have life,
and have it to the full.
John 10:10 (NIV)

Continuing on in Matthew 24,

There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Natural disasters, pestilences, climate change, etc.

^24:8All these are
the beginning of birth pains.

These things are like the first pains
when something new
is about to be born. (ICB)

^24:9“Then

you will be handed over to be persecuted
and put to death,
and you will be hated by all nations
because of me.

Persecution, martyrdom
for Christ’s name.

^24:10At that time

many will turn away
from the faith
and will betray and hate each other,

Many turning away from faith in Jesus,
returning to the old life,
give up following Jesus,
and causing bitterness, distrust, betrayals, and divisions amongst believers (disunity);

… in need of hope,
forgiveness, reconciliation healing, .. God’s love & peace

^24:11and many false prophets will appear
and deceive many people.

Deception, falsehood
… stumbling people, misleading people,
like the first deception in the garden of Eden,
causing many to turn away from the faith in Jesus,
.. many will betray and hate each other

deceive many people from the truth, God’s word, Jesus

a repeat of what Jesus said earlier,
^24:5For many will come in my name,
… and will deceive many.

Like fake consumer goods passing off as the original thing,
Paul warned:
¹⁴No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
¹⁵Therefore it is not surprising
if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness,
whose end will be according to their deeds.
2 Corinthians 11:14, 15 (NASB)

False prophets/leaders mislead the people.
God’s truth compromised, mis-interpreted, mis-applied.
A subtle, deliberate shift away from the Word of God & Jesus
The thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy

Jesus warned:
^24:4… “Watch out that no one deceives you.

continuing on,

^24:12Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of most will grow cold,

increase of wickedness
–> the love of most will grow cold

Trust broken,
… broken relationships, … broken lives

in need of hope,
… forgiveness, reconciliation healing, .. God’s love & peace

when wrong … seems right
when love lacks sincerity, faithfulness

Why many will … turn away from the faith? ^24:10
A confluence of push/pull challenges from various sides,

** love of most grow cold — self-seeking, self-centered
** deceptive prophets/leaders — truth compromised
** increase in wickedness — diminished moral character, integrity
** persecution — physical cost of following Jesus

On a side note, even when Jesus was on earth ministering,
after miraculously feeding the 5000,
later, in the dialogue with those who ate, John noted:
⁶⁶ … many of His disciples withdrew
and were not walking with Him anymore.
John 6:66 (NASB)

Continuing in Matthew 24,
Then, Jesus gives a concise word to believers,

^24:13but

the one who stands firm to the end
will be saved.

Unwaveringly, .. faithfully following Jesus & His Word,
in the midst of many challenges; standing firm.

On another occasion, Jesus said it this way:
“… But how much of that kind of persistent faith
will the Son of Man find on the earth
when he returns?”
Luke 18:8 (MSG)

The writer of Hebrews encouraged:
¹¹Now we want each of you to demonstrate
the same diligence
for the final realization of your hope, ¹²so that you won’t become lazy
but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises
through faith and perseverance.
Hebrews 6:11, 12 (HCSB)

In parallel with this happening,
something amazing, extraordinary is also happening
— the good that will take place in the midst of the deteriorating environment, increasing evil.

^24:14And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world
as a
testimony to all nations,

and then
the end will come.

Life!

Praise God!

Before Jesus returns
— the testimony of Jesus will he heard in the whole world.

Fulfilling the Lord’s prayer of:

⁹… Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.

¹⁰Your kingdom come.
Your will be done

on earth

as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9, 10 (HCSB)

I have come
that they may have life, and have it to the full ^{John 10:10}

Though the physical temple will be destroyed,
not one stone here will be left on another,

God’s plan
— this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,
many houses of prayer all over the world, … the kingdom of God.

Jesus said:
… My house will be called a house of prayer
for all nations …
Mark 11:17 (NIV)

Fulfilling Jesus last words before His ascension – God’s plan:
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,
you will receive power
to testify about me with great effect,

to the people in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth,
about my death and resurrection.
Acts 1:8 (TLB)

John 14:17 (NASB)
¹⁷that is the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him,

but you know Him
because He abides with you and will be in you.

Fulfilling what Jesus promised,

Matthew 16:18, 19 (NIV)
¹⁸… I will build my church,

and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

In summary, Jesus gave us a blueprint for living in the last days
in Matthew 24:4-13.

Jesus said that in the midst of:
wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines and earthquakes,
wickedness,, persecution/martydom for the name of Jesus, deceptive false prophets/messiahs,
falling away from the faith, betrayal & hate, …

continue to faithfully stand in faith in the Lord & His word,

⁴…Watch out that no one deceives you.

⁶… see to it that you are not alarmed
not frightened, not troubled , don’t panic ^{(NASB, NKJV, NLT)}

¹³… stand firm to the end
endure to the end, persevere to the end ^{(ESV, DRA)}

And continue to focus on God’s agenda,

¹⁴And this good news of the kingdom
will be proclaimed throughout the world,
as a testimony to all the nations;

and then the end will come.

not fixated on the challenges & bad news around,
ignoring rumors, false prophets,
but God’s big picture & the good news of His kingdom.

The Lord’s focus – go, make disciples of all the nation

& the Lord’s promise
and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age. ^{Matt 28:18-20}

In the midst of great challenges,
the faithful will continue to stand firm, trusting God,
& proclaim the good news of the kingdom throughout the world,
…. then the end will come.

⁹… Your name be honored as holy.
¹⁰Your kingdom come.
Your will be done

on earth

as it is in heaven ^{Matthew 6:9, 10 (HCSB)}

Amen. Thank you Jesus.

The weapon may be formed, but it won’t prosper
When the darkness falls, it won’t prevail
‘Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph
My God will never fail

There’s power in the mighty name of Jesus
Every war He wages He will win
I’m not backing down from any giant
‘Cause I know how this story ends

You take what the enemy meant for evil
And You turn it for good
For the battle belongs to You, Lord
I’m gonna see a victory

Victory belongs to Jesus!

In a similar passage to Matthew 24:4-14,
in Luke 21:10-19,
Jesus gave God’s view of persecution & His assurance of His abiding presence & anointing,,

Luke 21:12-19 (NASB)
¹²“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you
and will persecute you,
delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors
for My name’s sake.

¹³It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.

¹⁴So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;
¹⁵for I will give you utterance and wisdom
which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

¹⁶But you will be betrayed
even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death,
¹⁷and you will be hated by all
because of My name.

¹⁸Yet not a hair of your head will perish.
¹⁹By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Paul followed Jesus example,
and, while chained in prison he wrote his focus,

Ephesians 6:15, 16, 20 (NLT)
¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live
—not as unwise but as wise,

¹⁶making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil. ^{Ephesians 5:15 (NLT)}

²⁰I am in chains now,
still preaching

this message as God’s ambassador.
So pray that
I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Make me an instrument of Your Peace

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
^{Matthew 5:8-10 (NIV)}

this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed …
i.e.

¹⁸… God,
who reconciled us to himself
through Christ

and gave us
the ministry of reconciliation:

¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself
in Christ,
not counting people’s sins against them.

And he has committed to us
the message of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18, 19 (NIV)

this gospel of the kingdom
— God reconciled us through Christ,
gave us the ministry of reconciliation
and message of reconciliation — that God was reconciling the world to Himself

Praise God. What a privilege to serve Him!

Take My healing to the nations

Indeed, .. God will raise up a greater eternal, pure temple, … made with many living stones and holy priests
that will never be destroyed,

Peter wrote about this temple of God,
⁴You are coming to Christ,
who is the living cornerstone
of God’s temple.

He was rejected by people,
but he was chosen by God for great honor.

⁵And you are living stones
that God is building into
his spiritual temple.

What’s more, you are
his holy priests.
Through the mediation of Jesus Christ,
you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
1 Peter 2:4, 5 (NLT)

Example of Joseph

Beyond … being assailed by the fiery darts of deception, wickedness, persecution, divisions, …
let’s remember the words of Joseph to his brothers who betrayed him, sold him, and almost killed him:

²⁰You intended to harm me,

but
God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done,
the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

not just saving Joseph’s family,
but also Egypt and the Gentile nations around, during the long famine.

⁵⁷And all the world
came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph,
because the famine was severe everywhere.
Genesis 41:57 (NIV)

The Psalmist taught on Joseph’s experience,

Psalm 105:15-22 (NIV)
¹⁵“Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm.”

God’s protection & presence.

¹⁶He called down famine on the land
and destroyed all their supplies of food;

God is sovereign.

¹⁷and he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.
¹⁸They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,

He sent –– God sent Joseph,
… God positioned him for something that was going to happen.

¹⁹till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the Lord proved him true.

till — in God’s time

²⁰The king sent and released him,
the ruler of peoples set him free.

The king sent — God orchestrated events for the king to send for Joseph.
God positioned Joseph for such a time as this.
(more than 10 years after Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt)

²¹He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,

²²to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom.

i.e. God’ purpose for Joseph in Egypt thru the years of suffering, injustice, etc

Therefore Joseph could say to his brothers, … without any resentment to what they did to him,
⁸“So then, it was not you who sent me here,
but God. … ^{Genesis 45:8 (NIV)}

Out of the turmoil, injustice and confusion in Joseph’s life
resulted in instructing of God & God’s ways to the princes & elders of Egypt (the superpower of the day), etc,
the saving of many lives — God’s ultimate purpose

¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world
as a testimony to all nations,

and then the end will come.

i.e. The end game.
The bottom line.

The manifested presence of God’s truth, love, forgiveness & reconciliation
in the lives of peoples of all ethnicity and cultures.

Its important for us to remember that the inspiring stories of revival and rapid growth of the kingdom of God in the New Testament
happened in an atmosphere of great persecution and trials, … that birthed houses of prayer everywhere,

Eg. Paul described the faithful Thessalonian Christians, that
in the midst of severe suffering
… the Lord’s message rang out from you

1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 1: 4 (NIV)
^1:6You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for
you welcomed the message
in the midst of severe suffering
with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

^1:7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
^1:8The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia
—your faith in God has become known everywhere. …

^1:4Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about
your perseverance and faith in all
the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

Joseph’s ancestor, Abraham by faith received this promise from the Lord centuries earlier,

Galatians 3:6-9 (NLT)⁶In the same way, “Abraham believed God,
and God counted him as righteous
because of his faith.”

⁷The real children of Abraham, then,
are those who put their faith in God.

⁸What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles
right in his sight because of their faith.
God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said,

“All nations
will be blessed
through you.”

⁹So all who put their faith in Christ
share the same blessing

Abraham received
because of his faith.

As real children/decendants of Abraham, who have put our faith in Jesus,
we share in receiving the same blessing from God, by faith,
“All nations
will be blessed
through you.”

After He resurrected, Jesus words in Matthew’s gospel :

¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me.

¹⁹Therefore go
and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
²⁰and teaching them
to obey everything
I have commanded you.

And surely
I am with you always,

to the very end
of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Go, …with His ever-abiding presence with us.
I am with you always, … to the very end of the age.
now and forevermore

Go into all the world
and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:15 (NIV)

Peter encouraged us in 2 Peter 3:9-14, 18 (NIV):

^3:9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,
as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you,

not wanting anyone to perish,
but
everyone to come to repentance.

i.e. God’s purpose, … while we wait for Jesus return.

^3:10But the day of the Lord will come
like a thief.

Unexpectedly, suddenly … Jesus will return.

The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire,
and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

^3:11Since everything
will be destroyed in this way,
what kind of people ought you to be?

You ought to live holy and godly lives

^3:12as you look forward to the day of God
and speed its coming.

That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire,
and the elements will melt in the heat.

the old is destroyed by fire,
to make way for the new heaven & earth

^3:13But in keeping with his promise
we are looking forward to
a new heaven and a new earth,
where righteousness dwells.

Praise God!

^3:14So then, dear friends,
since you are looking forward to this,
make every effort
to be found
spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

^3:18.. grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Thus, like Joseph thrown into Egypt,
make every effort
live holy and godly lives,
be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
look forward to the day of God,

and,
He has committed to us
the ministry of reconciliation,
the message of reconciliation,
— that God was reconciling the world to himself

“All nations will be blessed through you.”

Amen.

People need the Lord

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who’s lost?

When will we realize that we must give our lives?
For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

Paul wrote about the radiant chuch, Jesus will be returning for,
in Ephesians 5:
²⁵… Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her

²⁶to make her holy,
cleansing her by the washing with water
through the word,

²⁷and to present her to himself

as a radiant church,
without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,
but holy and blameless.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)

holy, … radiant, … holy and blameless
children of God

see also 1 John 2:4-6

Jesus is the Truth, (John 14:6)
the devil is the father of lies.

Consider,
the first judgment in the New Testament church
— Ananias & Sapphira,
Peter said to Ananias,
“Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart
hat you have lied to the Holy Spirit
and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land”
Acts 5:3 (NIV)

deception & covetousness, … fake worship

Once the belt of truth is compromised,
the whole armor falls apart.
(The belt holds everything together)

without truth, …. church activities become meaningless.

Continuing on in Ephesians 6,
standing firm with:

^6:15… the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace.
^6:16 …faith … salvation

…the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.

¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always
keep on praying for all the Lord’s people
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

To guard against deception, … means — personally knowing Jesus, the Truth,
and be personally led by God’s word and the Holy Spirit daily,
living truth, … living out His Word in word and deed.

take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions

James summarised,
^4:7Submit yourselves,
then, to God. (His Word & His Spirit)

Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (NIV)

Submitting to God also includes,

Submit to one another
out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

Let’s submit to God’s word and His Spirit, and to one another,

Psalm 119:9, 110 (NIV)
⁹How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.

¹¹⁰Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.

Romans 8:14 (NIV)
¹⁴For those who are led by the Spirit of God
are the children of God.

John 16:13 (NIV)
¹³But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes,
he will guide you into all the truth.

God’s Word and the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth,
and guide our steps to walk in truth.

The Lord’s abiding promise, in the midst of our challenges:

⁹You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,

‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you
and have not cast you away:

¹⁰Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:9, 10 (NKJV)

¹⁰Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

^20″… And surely
I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

God’s promise:

I am with you;
I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you
I am with you always,
to the very end of the age

¹²… the one who stands firm (with the Lord)
to the end
will be saved.

After Jesus shared on the signs of his coming (Matthew 24),
He then goes on to share 5 parables about the end of the age when we meet Him (Matthew 24:45 – Matthew 25).
Very, very briefly, in Matthew 25 Jesus taught in the 5 parables,

^24:33So you also, when you see all these things,
know that it is near—at the doors!

^24:42Watch therefore,
for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

^24:44Therefore you also be ready,
for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

^25:13Watch therefore,
for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

^25:23His lord said to him, ‘Well done,
good and faithful servant;
you have been faithful over a few things,
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

³⁵for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

^25:40And the King will answer and say to them,
‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as
you did it to one of the least of these My brethren,
you did it to Me.’
Matthew 24:33, 42, 44, 25:13, 23, 35, 36, 40 (NKJV)

Also these parables warn
that Jesus will come sooner than some think, and how some live their lives,

^24:48But if that evil servant says in his heart,
‘My master is delaying his coming,’
… ^24:50the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of

and Jesus will come later than what others hope for

^25:3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
… ^25:5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
^25:6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’

Therefore, Jesus emphasised:
^24:44Therefore you also be ready,
for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 24:48, 50, 25:3,5,6, 24:55 (NKJV)

As we wait for Jesus return:
Being wise by being watchful & alert,
being faithful stewards of what the Lord has entrusted us with,
being faithful in loving, compassionate service to others
i.e. faithfully serving Jesus.

In Revelation, … it was revealed to John:

Revelation 17:12, 13 (NIV)
¹²“The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom,
but who for one hour will receive authority as kings
along with the beast.

¹³They have one purpose
and will give their power and authority to the beast.

¹⁴They will wage war against the Lamb,

but
the Lamb will triumph over them

because he is Lord of lords and King of kings

—and with him

will be his
called,
chosen and

faithful
followers.”

Echoing what Jesus said:
the one who stands firm to the end
will be saved – Jesus’ faithful followers will triumph

Revelation 12:10, 11 (NIV)
¹⁰Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.

¹¹They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb

God’s part in triumphing over the evil one.

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives
so much
as to shrink from death

Our part in overcoming the evil one.

Why will the love of most grow cold?
Why many turn away from the faith?

¹⁰At that time many will turn away from the faith
… ¹²Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of most will grow cold,

Paul wrote to Timothy a succinct summary of following Jesus ,

1 Timothy 1:18, 19 (NASB)
⁵But the goal of our instruction is

love
from a pure heart
and a good conscience
and a sincere faith.

¹⁸,,, you fight the good fight,
¹⁹keeping faith
and a good conscience,

which some have rejected and
suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

for some [people] have rejected
[their moral compass]
and have made a shipwreck of their faith. (AMP)

Paul prophetically described the world in the last days, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)

¹But mark this:
There will be terrible times
in the last days.

²People will be

lovers of themselves,

wiiifm (what is it in for me?), … me first …

lovers of money,

boastful, proud, abusive,disobedient to their parents,

ungrateful, unholy,

³without love,

unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal,

not lovers of the good,

⁴treacherous, rash, conceited,

lovers of pleasure

rather than lovers of God

— ⁵having a form of godliness
but denying its power.

outward form,
religious, performance,

… lacking love,
no power of the Lord.

Have nothing to do with such people.

in the last days
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, without love, not lovers of the good, lovers of pleasure,
Hence,Jesus said,
^{Matthew 24:12}Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of most will grow cold,

Jesus said in Revelation 2:2-4 (NLT)
to the church at Ephesus

²“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. ³You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

an impressive appraisal,

⁴“But
I have this complaint against you.

You don’t love me

or each other
as you did at first!

John explained & warned in his epistle about where our focus lie:

¹⁵Do not love

the world
or anything in the world.

If anyone loves the world,

love for the Father
is not in them.

A personal choice between the two
— loving God .. or .. loving the world?

¹⁶For everything in the world

—the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life

—comes not from the Father
but from the world.

¹⁷The world
and its desires pass away,

but whoever does the will of God
lives forever.
1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death

Jesus concisely taught at the sermon on the mount:

¹⁹“Do not
store up for yourselves treasures on earth, …
²⁰But
store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, …

²¹For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.

Treasures on earth,
.. or .. treasures in heaven?

²⁴“No one can serve two masters.
Either you will hate the one and love the other,
or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve
both God and money.

And in the same sermon, Jesus’ gave an instruction with a promise,

³³But seek
first

his kingdom
and his righteousness,

and

all these things
will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:19-33 (NIV)

Why persecution?

Early in His ministry, Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount,

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:8-10 (NIV)

A Chinese pastor’s experience in prison — Zhang Rongliang

On the night Jesus was betrayed and arrested,
Jesus highlighted this to His disciples,

¹⁸“If the world hates you,
keep in mind that it hated me first.

¹⁹If you belonged to the world,
it would love you as its own.

As it is,
you do not belong to the world,
but I have chosen you
out of the world.

That is why
the world hates you.

²⁰Remember what I told you:

‘A servant is not greater
than his master.’

If they
persecuted me,

they
will persecute you also.

If they obeyed my teaching,
they will obey yours also.

²¹They will treat you this way
because of my name,

for they do not know
the one who sent me.
John 15:18-20 (NIV)

and,

³³“I have told you these things,
so that in me
you may have peace.

In this world
you will have trouble.

But take heart!
I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NIV)

Veteran pastor and missionary, Dennis Balcombe who has spent many years serving the persecuted church in China (since moving to Hong Kong in the 1960s), and one of the first missionaries to return to China after China opened its doors to visitors, he wrote:

Dennis Balcombe;
“But I have come to learn that He uses persecution in unexpected ways to bring blessing to His church. Undoubtedly many Chinese believers had to pay a great price. Most church leaders have spent at least a few years in prison, and there are few ordinary believers who have not been subject to arrest and fines by government officials, or suffered somehow during the Cultural Revolution. While persecution has dramatically decreased since the opening of China, even now every few weeks we hear of house church and even Three-self church leaders who have faced some form of persecution.

It is true that some individuals have lost everything — their possessions, family, health, and even their lives — but it is also true that persecution has overall had a positive effect in China.

Taiwan has total freedom of religion and the gospel is openly preached on radio, television, and the Internet, and evangelical crusades are frequent. However, all the believers both Roman Catholics and Protestants, make up only about 4 percent of the population, and most Taiwanese are devoted Buddhists.

Largely contrasting, in mainland China, where evangelism is highly restricted,
the percentage of Christians is approaching 9 percent,

… Mainlanders and Taiwanese are all Chinese with the same language and culture. There is only one reason mainland Chinese generally are more receptive to the gospel than the Taiwanese. It is the same reason mainland Christians in China have more boldness in preaching Christ than is seen in Taiwan. It is the political turmoil and persecution mainland Chinese have had to face for much of the last sixty-five years.

I have met very few mainland Christians who have become bitter or lost their faith due to the persecution they endured. Without exception they said it was good for them and the church, and that the persecution always brought them closer to the Lord. I cannot count the times I have heard Chinese Christians say:

“Christ died for me,
and I should die for Him and the church.
Though I may not be called or privileged to be a martyr,
I thank Him for allowing me to suffer for Him!”

Most of us try to avoid discomfort, hardship and suffering and would certainly not want to die for our values or religious faith.

…

— Persecution will separate the chaff from the wheat in the church. Lukewarm and backslidden Christians, or those who are only cultural Christians will often deny the Lord or separate from the body of Christ.
Persecution has a purifying effect on the church (See Isaiah 48:10 and 1 Pter 4:1, 2). Having church members who neither know Christ nor have faith in His Word diminishes our testimony and effectiveness in preaching and practicing the message of God’s kingdom.

— Persecution is a purifying force in our lives. It brings us to the roots of our faith in Christ, causing us to realize that our possessions, positions in society or Church, and even our reputations are not as important as the living Christ abiding in us.
Persecution deepens our love both for Christ and others, and it serves as a powerful testimony for Christ that goes beyond words
(See Psalm 119:67, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

— Persecution always greatly increase our prayer lives and the prayer of the whole church. This strengthens us spiritually, creating an atmosphere where the power of God can manifest and miracles happen
(See Acts 12:5, 16:25, 26)

— Persecution results in boldness to preach the gospel, resulting in many hearing the gospel who would never have heard without the persecution. This even true in our modern Western societies where we may not be persecuted for simply believing in Christ, but we are for our biblical stand on moral and social issues
(See Acts 4:29-31,33)

— Because persecution always inspires more people to rise up and preach the gospel,
many more are added to the church.
This is as true today as it was during the unrelenting persecution of Christians by the Romans Empire in the second century when Tertullian wrote,

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church”

When people willingly give their lives as a sacrifice for the cause of Christ,
many others will be converted
(Phil 1:12-14)”

Paul clearly tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12,

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

We know this in our heads,
yet we do everything to avoid persecution
and are even fearful it might happen to us.

Source: Dennis Balcombe, China’s Opening Door: Incredible Stories of the Holy Spirit at Work in One of the Greatest Revivals in Christianity, Charisma House, 2014, pg 140-143.

Paul wrote about his attitude in facing evil,

¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live
—not as unwise but as wise,

¹⁶making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.

¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish,
but

understand
what the Lord’s will is.

¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

When faced with evil, our natural instinct is to avoid, to escape, to flee.
However, in Paul’s experience, he tells us:

Because the days live in,
live wisely by
making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
and understand what the Lord’s will is,
be filled with the Spirit,
always giving thanks to God ;
rather than succumb to our fears & anxieties.

Thus, seek the will of God,
pray for opportunities, … even in the midst of evil.

Paul looked upon the good God
who can turn evil … into opportunities for the glory of God.

Consider the early church.
In Acts 4, after the apostles were arrested and threatened, the church prayed
for greater boldness and manifestation of God’s redemptive power:

… ²⁹Now, Lord, consider their threats
and
enable your servants

to speak your word with great boldness.
³⁰Stretch out your hand to heal
and perform signs and wonders
through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

The outcome of their prayers:

³¹After they prayed,
the place where they were meeting was shaken.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 4:29-31 (NIV)

The disciples rose up to face the challenge to their faith.
The disciples prayed that Jesus’ name be even magnified more
despite the threats/arrests.

In the midst of unknown uncertainties of the future,
they were focused on others, … who have yet to know Jesus;
go, make disciples of all nations.

Luke records in the next chapter the result of their prayers:

¹⁴Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

¹⁶Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits,
and all of them were healed.
Acts 5:14, 16 (NIV)

And after they were arrested again,
miraculously released by God, …. and re-arrested,

⁴⁰…. They called in the apostles and had them flogged.
Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

⁴¹The apostles left the high council rejoicing
that God had counted them worthy to suffer
disgrace for the name of Jesus.

i.e. the early church’s attitude towards persecution

⁴²And every day, in the Temple and from house to house,
they continued to teach and preach this message:
“Jesus is the Messiah.”
Acts 5:40-42 (NLT)

the early church lifestyle,

In the garden of Gethsemane, … in the midnight hour,
moments before Jesus hardest hour,
Jesus said to His disciples,

⁴⁶“Why are you sleeping?”
he asked them.

“Get up and pray,
so that
you will not give in to temptation.” ^{Luke 22:46 (NIV)}

What’s the priority of prayer in our lives?
… What’s the priority of prayer at church?

Here’s what one Eastern European brother’s experience in prison for his faith in Christ, and facing the possibility of being murdered while in prison,

When all this failed to cause Claciu to accept the legitimacy of Ceausescu’s policies, prison officials concocted a scheme to have the priest killed while deflecting the blame away from the government. They promised leniency to two hardened criminals in the prison if they would murder him. They then made the prisoners his cellmates.

The two criminals informed Calciu they planned to kill him. They forced him to stand for long periods, beat him and required that he obtained their permission before eating, drinking, and using the chamber pot.
Then, after about a month, they told him they had decided not to kill him.
He asked for their permission to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the bread and water they had in the cell.
They agreed, and he was stunned when
they knelt with him to pray.
His faith was so strong that it turned these would-be killers
away from murder
toward prayer.

Amazingly, after all his ordeals, Calciu had no bitterness towards those who had so mistreated him. … His face was warm, gentle and joyful. His countenance was alive, hopeful, and at peace. I recognized the great faith that had sustained him for all those decades of persecution.

Father Calciu:
“There were many of them.
I was alone and defenseless.
There was no law to prevent them from committing such a crime.
There were no moral principles to stop them.

I had faith. They had force.

Then again, they had nothing,
because they did not have God.

I had the love and spiritual help of my fellow man,
praying for me throughout the world.

They had nothing but their hate.

And because this conflict was a spiritual one,
they were defeated,
in spite of all the material power on their side.”

Source: Tony Hall, Changing the face of Hunger, W Publishing Group, 2006, pg 64, 69

While in a persecuted country, … a friend returned from a meeting of underground Christian leaders,
two memorable notes from the meeting were:

— as the people shared, it became evident that there were 2 groups:
those who were afraid … and those who were not afraid.

— those who had been through arrest and interrogation (etc, etc), … and held on to faith in Christ,
they were not afraid, … if or when, it happens again to them. They spoke of hope and faith in God, leading more people to Jesus.

God in all His fullness is present … when Stephen was being stoned,
as Luke records

⁵⁵But being
full of the Holy Spirit,
Stephen gazed intently into heaven and saw

the glory of God,
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;

⁵⁶and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Acts 7:55,56 (NASB)

Like Stephen, … God sends his followers
into the world to declare His glory in the midst of an unjust world.

Peter who’s been beaten and in prison (Acts), wrote:
¹⁴If you are reviled for the name of Christ,
you are blessed,
because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ^{1 Peter 4:14 (NASB)}

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were thrown in the fiery furnace for not worshiping the gold image that king Nebuchadnezzar set up.
However,

¹⁶Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied,
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
¹⁷If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,
the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

¹⁸But even if he doesn’t,
we want to make it clear to you,
Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT)

Thus,

¹⁵… Do not be afraid!
Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army,
for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20 :15 (NLT)

2 Kings 6:15-17 (NCV)
¹⁵Elisha’s servant got up early, and when he went out,
he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. (in the physical reality)
The servant said to Elisha, “Oh, my master, what can we do?”

¹⁶Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid.
The army that fights for us
is larger than the one against us.”

¹⁷Then Elisha prayed,
“Lord, open my servant’s eyes,
and let him see.”

The Lord opened the eyes of the young man,
and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire
all around Elisha.

Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)
The angel of the Lord encamps all around
those who fear Him,
And delivers them.

The writer of Hebrews encouraged the early believers in the New Testament:

²³Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful.

³²Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,

when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.
³³Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;
at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.
³⁴You suffered along with those in prison
and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,

because you knew that you yourselves
had better and lasting possessions.

³⁵So do not throw away your confidence;
it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶You need to persevere
so that

when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:23, 32-36 (NIV)

Jesus said:
… the one who stands firm
to the end
will be saved.

Professor Roy Peacock:

“I was surprised to see a man walking purposefully out of a side street and straight towards me. At a distance of about seven yards he took a revolver from his pocket, lifted it and pointed it at me. With horror I saw his finger tighten on the trigger. There was no time to react in any way,
so I watched as I saw the gun jam without releasing its charge.
I kept walking — briskly … I continued walking — quickly.

If I ever needed confirmation that God was interested in me, here it was.
God was clearly able to control any event.
Twice now, I had looked down the barrel of a gun, even once seen the gunman pulled the trigger, and on neither occasion had a shot beeen fired. Both times I manifestly had no control over the situation.

I needed no further convincing that the God I served was in total control He is the God who holds a personal and dedicated interest in his people and their wellbeing.

… It is his perogative to set his hand to whatever he thinks best.”

Source: Roy Peacock, Paradigm Shift – A scientist’s journey through experiment to faith, Authentic Media Ltd, 2013, pg 187,-178

Conclusion: Paul’s life example

The Lord’s focus – go, make disciples of all the nation

& the Lord’s promise
and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age. ^{Matt 28:18-20}

Previously we mentioned about Joseph’s experience
in conclusion, let’s be inspired by Paul’s example.

In Acts, … to the leaders at Ephesus, Paul said:
²³I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that
prison and hardships are facing me.

⁴However,

I consider my life
worth nothing to me;

my only aim is to finish the race
and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me

—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

²⁸Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

²⁹I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

³¹So be on your guard!
Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day
with tears.

³²“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace,
which can build you up
and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Acts 20:23, 24, 28-32 (NIV)

Paul also wrote to the Corinthians about his ministry experiences:

^11:22I have worked much harder,
been in prison more frequently,
been flogged more severely,
and been exposed to death again and again.

^4:7But we have this treasure in jars of clay
to show that this all-surpassing power
is from God
and not from us.

^4:8We are hard pressed on every side,
but not crushed;

perplexed,
but not in despair;

^4:9persecuted,
but not abandoned;

struck down,
but not destroyed.

^4:10We always carry around in our body
the death of Jesus,

so that
the life of Jesus
may also be revealed in our body.
2 Corinthians 11:22 , 4:8-10 (NIV)

Thus Paul prayed:

¹⁹And pray for me, too.
Ask God to give me the right words
so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan
that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.

²⁰I am in chains now,
still preaching

unstoppable

this message as God’s ambassador.
So pray that
I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Ephesians 6:19, 20 (NLT)

What an example!

As for other matters, brothers and sisters,
pray for us that the message of the Lord
may spread rapidly and be honored,
just as it was with you.

²And pray that we may be delivered
from wicked and evil people,
for not everyone has faith.

³But the Lord is faithful,
and he will strengthen you
and protect you
from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:2, 3 (NIV)

And Paul confidently testified and encouraged us in his final letter in the Bible:

¹⁷But the Lord stood at my side
and gave me strength,

so that through me
the message might be fully proclaimed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.

And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

¹⁸The Lord will rescue me
from every evil attack

and will bring me safely
to his heavenly kingdom.

To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:17, 18 (NIV)

And finally, … Paul’s praise of God’s faithful love:

³⁴ … Christ Jesus who died
—more than that, who was raised to life
—is at the right hand of God

and is also interceding for us.

³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine
or nakedness or danger or sword?

³⁶As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷No,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.

³⁸For I am convinced that

neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
³⁹neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from
the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:34-38 (NIV)

Amen, praise God!
Maranatha!

Therefore, Paul prayed:

¹³I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:13-21 (NIV)

Jesus said:

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
  for they will see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
^{Matthew 5:8-10 (NIV)}

Appendix: Mark of the beast & Fig Tree ?

If one was looking for the mark of the beast,
let’s read Revelation 14 for the context where this was mentioned:

¹Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion,
and with him 144,000

who had his name
and his Father’s name
written on their foreheads.

²And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. ³And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

⁴These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.
They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
⁵No lie was found in their mouths;
they are blameless.

⁶Then I saw another angel flying in midair,
and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.
⁷He said in a loud voice,

“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come.
Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

In the last days, God sends angels to also proclaim the good news. (eg. dreams, visions, visitations)

⁸A second angel followed and said,

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

⁹A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice:

“If anyone worships the beast and its image
and receives its mark
on their forehead or on their hand,

¹⁰they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury,

which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. ¹¹And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever.There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

¹²This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God
who keep his commands
and remain faithful to Jesus.

Rather than look for the mark, and sowing fear
shouldn’t we focus on living for Christ only, … by faith?
Getting our lives aligned with God’s ways
i.e. those who did not defile themselves
… they follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
… no lie was found in their mouths;
they are blameles
… patient endurance … keep his commands
… remain faithful to Jesus.

follow Jesus, … rather than the evil one.

John also saw & heard earlier in Revelation 7,
^7:2Then I saw another angel coming up from the east,
having the seal of the living God.
He called out in a loud voice to the four angels
who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:

^7:3“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees
until
we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
Revelation 7:2, 3 (NIV)

What’s this seal on the foreheads of the servants of God?

at the end of the age,
³… For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there,
and his servants will worship him. ⁴And they will see his face,
and his name will be written on their foreheads.
Revelation 22:3,4 (NLT)

see also Revelation 14:1 (mentioned above)

Paul also wrote:

Ephesians 1:12-14 (NIV)
¹²in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ,
might be for the praise of his glory.
¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

When you believed,
you were marked in him with a seal,
the promised Holy Spirit,
¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance
until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

When you believed,
you were
marked in him with a seal,
the promised Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 2:19, 4:17, 18 (NIV)
^2:19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription:

“The Lord knows those who are his,”

and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord
must turn away from wickedness.”’

Thus Paul testified,

^4:17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength,
so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

^4:18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack
and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Let’s join with Paul in faith believing,
the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack
and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What about the fig tree?

Luke 21:29-31 (NASB)
²⁸When these things begin to take place,

stand up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near.”

²⁹Then He told them a parable: (not a prophecy)

“Behold the fig tree and all the trees;
³⁰as soon as they put forth leaves,
you see it and know for yourselves
that summer is now near.

³¹So you also,

when you see these things happening,
recognize
that the kingdom of God is near.

In Matthew and Mark, Jesus told the listeners to “behold the fig tree“,
in Luke He refers them to behold “the fig tree and all the trees“.
In all three accounts, he was saying the parable to highlight to us,
that when we see these things happening,
recognize the kingdom of God is near,
in the same way they would recognise summer is near.
i.e. Jesus was referring to the things he said earlier in those passages about the end times.

Pls kindly also read further accounts of what happened to the fig tree in the gospels – Luke 13:6-8, Mark 11:12-14, … and also for any tree, Luke 3:7-9.