Luke 21:8-11

Rachel Workman: No reading today.

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John Burnett:  ⁷ They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the ^[f]sign when these things are about to take place?” ⁸ And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”  There are preachers on TV on a daily basis that preach that we are little gods.  They are heretically distorting scripture to the point where their patrons think, “I am He.”  We are currently hearing of wars and disturbances and the countries listed in Ezekiel 38-39 are now camping in Syria just north of Israel.

Things to Come

¹⁰ Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, ¹¹ and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great ^[g]signs from heaven.  Earthquakes are becoming more frequent and more severe.  Just last month, the Ring of Fire had 70 earthquakes in a 48 hour period.  Plagues and famines are happening all over the world currently, they just don’t draw much coverage.  Venezuela is probably the most talked about famine today.  He mentions terrors and great signs from heaven and I believe 100 lb. hail stones would qualify.  

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Tomorrow’s reading for Luke 21:12-19

¹² “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. ¹³ But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.^{[c] 14} So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, ¹⁵ for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! ¹⁶ Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. ¹⁷ And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.^{[d] 18} But not a hair of your head will perish! ¹⁹ By standing firm, you will win your souls.