Today's Reading: Mark 13: 28-237
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Mark 13: 28-37
Bible Study
The scaring title today "A 9.0 earthquake is coming to you!" is not a prophecy from me but an example of what really happens in this chapter.
N.T. Wright says, "The first level of meaning, clearly, is once more about the imminent destruction of the Temple; this is the subject of the entire chapter. Jesus' main concern is to warn his followers of the signs that will immediately herald the end - the end of the Temple, the end of the Jewish national way of life up to that point.
Unlike the fig tree two chapters earlier, which suffered from having leaves but no figs, Jesus now uses the image of a fig tree in leaf, signalling that summer is almost here, as an illustration of how his hearers are to react."
In less than 40 years after Jesus said that it happened. All those who were still staying in Jerusalem was like in an 9.0 earthquake or more severe because as record in history they even ate their own babies so that they could survive of not starving to death!
What do people need to do in this situation? Jesus says we need to be like gatekeepers to stay awake so that the first part of John 10: 10 won't happen:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10: 10
Keep watch! Watch! Watch out! Be on your guard!
Have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to God as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: A 9.0 earthquake is coming to you!
Today Jesus uses this passage to give us a warning and challenge.
What if the city you are living have a 9.0 earthquake and quite a number of your family members died but not you. You walk out on the streets and what you see are corpses and fallen buildings. You do not have your church to go to because it just collapsed.
When that happen, do you still believe in Jesus as your Saviour, Lord and King? Can your intimate personal relationship with Jesus helps you to get through all those sufferings and you can become a better disciple of Christ after that or you just do not believe in Jesus any more?
What is your answer?
In fact, I am helping some Christians to go through their 9.0 earthquake recently. I really don't know whether they can make it or not? What I know is that it is only a "challenge", nothing more, nothing less! Are you going to survive spiritually if that happens to you? This is a test and a challenge of your real relationship with Jesus if you have any?
Dear Lord Jesus,
Help us to prepare for this kind of challenge and that because of our daily intimate personal relationship with you we can prevail. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Chinese praise song - 你是我的一切 You Are My All In All
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