The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 24:3-14, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’
4 And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘See to it that no one misleads you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will mislead many.
6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Of the many Scriptural passages related to “end times” that could be cited, none is more timely than the passage cited above. It was a fair question the disciples asked, and it was addressed to the precise Person capable of providing the answer.

From the beginning of time, there have been wars throughout the world. Some were isolated skirmishes that were hardly noticeable outside of the area in which they occurred. Some, however, were widespread. News agencies, having capturing the eyes and interest of people far removed, have given credence to worldwide rages.

Enraptured as many are of possessing personal fame, it cannot be surprising that even some pastors would claim to have physically seen and or talked to the LORD Jesus –or at most to be Him themselves! Interesting, too, that some who lay claim to such, come to an end of life, sometime by their own hands!

Much of our world today lives with a serious lack of food! Some organizations, claiming to be helpful to the needy, simply fortify their own resources as if the needy did not exist; thus, famines expand and increase. Hatred of others (and jealousy of their possessions) promotes increased betrayal and tribulation. Love is virtually non-existent!

What is the answer to such a hopeless situation? Love and the endurance of the few faithful will proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world. Many who endure will then be saved, “and then the end will come.”

Salvation is not merely living an honest and upright life. It is not merely treating your neighbor and others with kindness and respect. It is not merely submitting to baptism or holding membership in a church, however, invaluable these things are!. Salvation comes from the LORD Jesus, Who died on the cross for your sin. Salvation becomes real, when you truthfully ask of Him in prayer to honestly forgive you of you sin.

You can miss an important flight and catch another at a later time. It is not so with the LORD Jesus. “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART” (Heb. 3:15).

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