What Jesus Did! 'The End Is Not Near' — Mark 13:7

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

[Jesus continued,] "And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately."
— Mark 13:7 NLT

Key Thought

When war occurs, people panic. That has always been true, and it was certainly true in Jesus' day. However, even numerous wars occurring simultaneously does not signal that the end of the world is near. These things will happen in our world throughout our fallen history. Unfortunately war is a very prevalent problem with the human condition. As sad and horrific as war is, we must know that it is not the cause or determinant of the end of the world.

Today's Prayer

O Father, I confess that I am upset that people are killed, maimed, destroyed, and separated from each other by wars and the destruction they cause. I want to stop these problems, but I know I cannot. Help me not become overly distraught at what I cannot change, and help me trust you to be at work in our world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Preparing for the Lord's Second Coming
Article by David W. T. Brattston
We are to continue to live good Christian lives every day as preparation for the Lord's coming! David W.T. Brattston reminds us of the kind of lives we need to live in preparation for the Lord's Coming.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 13:7 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Sacrificing Children and Polluting the Land'
"They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons. They shed innocent blood,...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Jesus Is the Messiah' (Acts 17:1-3)
"Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Escaping Evil, Embracing Truth' (2 Ti. 2:22-26)
"Dear Father, Help me to escape evil passions and to aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with all who call upon the Lord from a pure....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!