Jesus said something stunning just before He
ascended to Heaven. It was after He rose
from the dead and Matthew’s testimony is one who relates it. Jesus appeared to women
first who followed Him…they ran and told the disciples. (The eleven were in an
undisclosed room in Jerusalem perhaps).
Matthew says, “And the eleven disciples
went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And
when they saw Him, they worshiped Him. But some doubted. And Jesus came
and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in
earth. Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe
all things, whatever I commanded you. And behold, I am with you all the days
until the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:16-20)
Until the end of the world.
As I exercise on my bicycle, I ride past a beautiful,
fit couple. We stop and talk
sometimes. One day they asked, “Will
there be an end to the world?” Since that conversation I’ve thought about it. Now
and then verses in the Bible stand out about “that day” … "...for I know
whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have
committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12) "But the day
of the Lord will come as a thief in the night..." (2 Peter 3:10). Are these referring to the end of the world? Are
they referring to a “day” when everything changes? Whatever that repeated “day”
is referring to, we who believe in Him, have accepted His forgiveness are safe,
no matter what happens. “I am with you
all the days until the end of the world.”
"Being confident of this very thing,
that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of
Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
"But as many as received Him, He gave
to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His
name." (John 1:12)
I accept that, LORD.