The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:3-10, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter
and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately,
4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things
are going to be fulfilled?”
5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
6 “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many.
7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things
must take place; but that is not yet the end.
8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will
be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely
the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged
in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a
testimony to them.
10 “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”

Are you an inquisitive person? Do you always “have to know” what caused what?
Well, I will admit that I’m one of those who always has a need to know “what started
what –and why!” Undoubtedly, that will be as close to Peter, James, John and Andrew
as I will ever get — except for being on the Mount of Olives. I’ve been there.

Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is a monumental work of over 3,000 pages; yet it demonstrates that war then was much like the current Israeli-Hamas
War in the Middle East. Nevertheless, we should neither be surprised nor misled;
Jesus said that these things “must take place; but that is not yet the end.”

The best reporting I have found on the Israel-Hamas War comes from India’s television “Vantage” (F.). To me, the India report is much like a reading of the Scripture above. Nations are taking sides, leading some to wonder how widely this war will spread and how long it will last.

What is uppermost, however, is Jesus’ reply to his disciples’ questions. It ought to be uppermost to us; namely, “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations…” Sin
is the cause of nations warring against each other. The gospel (Good News) brings
light into darkened souls –light that leads away from war and harm and into love and fellowshiip.

We must pray for the leaders of both sides. One Muslim shared the account of his
Salvation in Christ. The Jews believe in God, leaving them just one step away from
being “born again.” Yet, that is the vital step! “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may
they prosper who love you” (Psa. 122:6).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom