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Jesus’ Prophecy
What is the very last sign before the end comes? It is this: the gospel of Jesus will be preached to the whole world. Listen to the exact wording from Jesus’ prophecy:
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24: 10-14
Notice the phrase, “as a witness.” Is it the preaching that is the witness or is it the people who are witness to the power of God? It is the latter! Image a world-wide spreading of the gospel which results in multitudes repenting of their sins and asking Jesus into their lives then producing the fruits of a new heart. These converted believers go out to witness and to preach. Preaching and witnessing go together otherwise; it is just a bunch of sermons.
Contrast this group with the generation existing at that time:
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then, many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24: 10-14
Just before the completion of the gospel going to the whole world, Jesus describes the generation that we now live in…
“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. “
Matthew 24:10:14
I can’t think of a better description of our society at this moment. People who are easily offended, betraying each other, hating, lawlessness, people no longer capable of loving others. Our newspapers, newscasters, movie producers, and social media confirm this to be true. Jesus said this would be the condition of society just before the end comes.
An Overly Sensitive Civilization
America and the world have become a “sensitive society.” Laws are passed, and pressure is brought to bear to force every person never to offend anyone. Will laws and protests get the desired result? No!
Political correctness has become the new commandment of lawmakers and a Godless press. Everyone’s words (especially those in the public eye) are measured, analyzed, and judged unfairly…primarily for political and power gain. Lawyers have become the ones carrying the big stick to threaten and force people back into line so no one is offended; otherwise, the offenders will risk life, property, and reputation.
Who are the ones on the list we are not to offend?
- Certain Ethnicities
- Sexual Preference and Gender Identification
- Religious Preference, other than Christians
- Rioters and Looters-Many state politicians say they are justified and should not be condemned.
- Organizations with deceptive messages
- People with opposite beliefs about the topic of freedom and values
Who does not make the list?
- American Caucasians
- Men
- Heterosexuals
- Traditional male and female families
- Followers of Christ
Jesus said, in the last days, people would be offended and His followers would be hated:
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets (teachers) will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 34:9-14
A blessing is given to those not offended by Jesus:
“…blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
Matthew 11:6
The Solution:
The solution is obvious when we consider and understand the truth about the human heart. Everyday people are born in this world who will reset the chain of sin and wickedness.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23
Jesus said the answer to our society’s ills is found only in the change of the heart…a different way of thinking and doing things:
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
If you have been born again, you will love all those on the list of the easily offended. But, generally, you won’t be loved back. You will be hated and persecuted anyway. Will that offend you?
You will see in everyone a bit of God’s image. They will be respected and loved even though you don’t agree with them. Here are our orders as followers of Christ.
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:44.
Can you do this?
Are you doing as Jesus instructed, or are you following the example of those easily offended….looking for ways to retaliate…to “one-up” them?
Do Not Be an Offender
We should be careful not to offend anyone if it is in our power, even in our habits. The Apostle Paul even encouraged us to not offend in things like what we eat or drink. Paul makes reference to this thought in Romans over the debate of food sacrificed to idols.
“It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.” Romans 14:21
It is not God’s will for us to cause anyone to stumble, or be offended, or made weak. In another place, Paul said,
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
Paul tried to “please all men in all things.” Paul was a people-pleaser! His desire was to put others above himself so “they may be saved.” Winning theological arguments or diet is not as important as winning souls.
Paul makes the point of not offending someone who invites you to dinner:
If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.
1 Corinthians 10:27
Vegetarians, can you do this? Yes! Go back to your diet the next day. Do not offend your host! A soul is more important than your food!
This was in the context of food sacrificed to idols. But, the main message is this. Don’t let your religion get in the way of saving and encouraging someone.
Christians That Offend:
Christians can be offensive in one of three ways:
- Because people hate your leader, Jesus.
- Because we tell them the truth about sin and its wages. (But even in this, we are to be harmless as a dove and wise as a serpent.” “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[a] as doves.” Matthew 10:16
- Because some of us are too religious, You may have heard of some people who are “so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good.” These are more interested in winning a theological debate than winning a soul for Christ. These are usually a denominationalist. They say things like, “My church is the right church, and everyone else is going to hell.” Or they are so consumed by being religious through useless forms and ceremonies to score points with other people or God Himself.
In Jesus’ day, there was a religious group who were offended by the words of Jesus over traditions:
When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Matthew 15: 10-20
The religious people were offended because their tradition of ceremonial washing of hands before eating was ignored by Jesus and His disciples. Why? Because it was a useless act of worthless religion.
Jesus was Offended
The most striking example of someone who was truly offended yet did not retaliate was Jesus in His final hours, where he was beaten, whipped, and made fun of. Even as He was dying on the cross, he prayed for His enemies. One author described Jesus this way:
“The Savior made no murmur of complaint. His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death dew from His face, nor words of sympathy and unchanging fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of His persecutors and the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplishment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,—”for they know not what they do.” Desire of Ages. P. 744
My friends, we live in a sensitive society. People are easily offended. As a result, we see hatred, division, murderers, hate, and racism growing at an alarming pace!
- Our best response is to try to not offend anyone
- Through the power of Christ, don’t be easily offended
- When we are offended, pray for our enemies:
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”
Matthew 5:44
As you see the madness of this world, don’t be down, you followers of Jesus,. Look up!
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Luke 21:28
We are one day closer to the return of Christ than we were yesterday.