The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:3-13, “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.

11 “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

13 “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

In one sense, times haven’t changed that much. The disciples in Jesus’ day were concerned about world events and proceeded to inquire of Him what would ultimately take place. If our newscasts are any indication, we’re just as concerned as Jesus’ followers were in their day.

The key for us is the same as it was for them: “…be on your guard…” Times are going to get tougher than they are now. Count on it! But what can we do? Christ addresses this in the verses above: “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” That is our responsibility now! Not only are missionaries to carry the Gospel in a person-to-person fashion, but radio, television, and the Internet are instruments for sharing Jesus Christ – and often in the language of those we wish to reach.

“But I don’t know their language!” you say. Now, we have AI (Artificial Intelligence) to translate what we want to share in the language of those with whom we want to share it. We need to be careful, however, and clear in sharing. Our language must be precise and devoid of hackneyed phrases and clichés. In many instances, we have access to the Scriptures in the very languages of those we’re seeking to reach. The Internet provides us with numerous tools we’ve never previously possessed. We have every tool we need for sharing the Good News of the LORD Jesus Christ with those of other languages. We are clearly without excuse! God bless you!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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