“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). This is an amazing statement spoken by Jesus, considering it was given in the first century A.D to a small group of Disciples living under the oppressive thumb of the Government of Rome. The Gospel of the Kingdom is a powerful force for good in an evil, corrupt world of devils. Jesus told His Disciples after His resurrection, “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

At another time Jesus “spoke to them saying, all authority is given to Me in heaven and the earth. Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

From these sayings we can clearly see the preaching of the Gospel is directly related to the end of this age. With modern technology, and instant communications via satellite downlinks, internet and cable links giving constant and immediate updates of news and information to everyone, everywhere; how soon will this Gospel of the Kingdom reach all nations, peoples, tongues, and tribes? How close are we to the end of the age?

The Apostle Peter exhorts us to “look for and hasten the coming of the Day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall dissolve and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” [see The God Who Answers by Fire 3/27/21], (II Peter 3:12).

This is not a message of gloom and doom. This is a message of joy and rejoicing as Jesus told us, “When these things (fulfillment of prophecies) begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads for your Redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). The Apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to Titus, “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). No gloom and doom here, but a “blessed hope” of Glory! Almost makes you feel like dancing; well, at least shouting a little bit. Thank you, Jesus! Hallelujah!!

Every day we hear about rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, pandemics, UFO sightings, violence, climate change, ethnic groups fighting ethnic groups. Jesus said it this way, “When you hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified, for these things must first come to pass, but the end is not yet. Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and great earthquakes shall be in different places, famines and plagues and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven” (Luke 21:10-11). Yes, “these things” are happening right now. “And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27).

“And He spoke to them a parable: Behold, the fig tree, and all the trees. When they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now near at hand. So, likewise you when you see these things come to pass know that the Kingdom of God is near at hand. Truly, I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away ’till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:29-33). The fig tree is Israel. Israel was restored as a nation in 1948, after being destroyed in 70 AD. The generation that witnessed this shall not pass away until all is fulfilled. We are getting very close to the end, my friend. Are you ready? Do you believe yet? What are you waiting for?

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