Before Christ Comes

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”. [Matthew 24:12] 

The old song invites us to remember that this world is not our home and we are just passing by. And yes, we are passing by because the world to come is going to be totally and radically changed, transformed from what we see just like our lowly bodies will also be transformed. “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” [1 John 3:2].   I think believers need to hear it often and especially this time because we tend to get too comfortable and forget that we are on mission with God. He has laid out His plan and though the world may not know or understand it, the church of Jesus should be able to apply the word of God in its life. 

Mathew 24 is prophetic of the end of the age and many times people wonder when the last days will be. Scripture is clear about it and Hebrews 1:2 tells us these are the last days; “but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world”. Paul also calls the time he lived in the end of the ages; “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come”. [1 Corinthians 10:11, see Hebrews 9:26]. Now that was about two thousand years ago that Paul wrote that and we should know that we are well into the end of the ages. 

I am writing to encourage believers to know what kind of people ought we to be when we look at what is happening in the world right now? Matthew 24 is full of divine promises and hope to those who are in Christ Jesus. What kind of business should we be doing and focusing our energies and attention on? I am not writing so that believers may become reckless but that we be clear minded and know that we are truly in the end game. Yes, we do not know when the Lord is coming but we better be prepared and be found on mission because “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” [Matthew 24:46] and our Master is Jesus. 

A friend wrote saying church attendance has gone down significantly in Zimbabwe and I am sure in many other places because they have been discouraged by covid-19.  Pastors; the shepherds of the flock have written to tell me the same. Some have shrunk back and lost hope. Maybe. “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” [Hebrews 10:39]. And if there is a time that the church must arise and be more aware of the seriousness of the danger the unbelievers are in, it is now. There is greater freedom for people buying and selling at the markets and supermarkets than is allowed for people to worship God in church buildings and believers are still running their personal businesses and shopping for hours in crowded places but give excuses when it comes to attending a Sunday service which has regulated seating. 

More people are being allowed to gather at funerals and pubs than they are allowed for a church service. The enemy wants to kill Christian witness and believers should not be a part of it. We have a clear mandate from our God that we should go and make disciples of all nations and not be like those who neglect meeting with other saints: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” [Hebrews 10:24-25]. 

The one who calls and sends us possesses all power in Heaven and on Earth [Matthew 28:18-19] yet some believer are fearing for their lives deciding to live in comfort. “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” [1 Corinthians 9:16c]. Fully knowing that there was imminent danger, Paul said, “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” [Acts 20:22-24]. A believing church knows why it is still on this planet. It is not to be like the one who puts his hand on the plough and turns back [Luke 9:62]. Every soldier knows that once they have gone out to war, they have to fight and not retreat to live the civilian life [2 Timothy 2:3-4]. 

The unfortunate thing is that the church has for too long allowed the false gospel of false prosperity to flood the pulpit and this has brought confusion to many who are now wondering where God is during hard times. That gospel produces flimsy believers who want their best life now but wander away when trials and persecution come [Matthew 13: 19-22, 2 Timothy 4:10]. They do not know that believers have been persecuted ever since but continued to flourish [Exodus 1:12, Acts 8:1]. The Church of Jesus has never backed away from challenges. If anything, it grows when it is persecuted. The gospel must be preached to all nations in spite of wars, government, persecution, religions or ridicule or covid19.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” [1 Peter 1:13].

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About The Author:

Pastor Sam Machacka is co-founder of Brink Ministries Southern Africa. A wonderful colleague and good friend. Equipping Pastors and Church leaders in Southern Africa. He grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe with his beautiful wife Mildred and they are blessed with three lovely children namely Samantha, Munashe and Joshua but they are now serving as missionaries in Malawi since August 2018

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