Luke 21:10-19

Luke 21:10-19We should notice Christ's prediction concerning the nations of the world. We should notice Christ's prediction concerning His own disciples. We should notice Christ's gracious promise to His disciples. "Nothing is so calculated to chill the heart and dampen the faith of a Christian as indulgence in unscriptural expectations.""No consistency of conduct, however faultless, no kindness and amiability of character, however striking, will exempt a believer from the world's dislike, so long as he lives. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is mere waste of time to murmur at it. It is a part of the cross, and we must bear it patiently.""If we believe in Christ, let us rest in the comfortable thought that Christ has pledged His word that we shall not perish. We may lose much by serving Christ, but we shall never lose our souls."Questions:1. We are told that the end times are times where nation goes to war against nation, and not times of peace on earth. While the world trembles, do we find our feet on solid ground? Do we, like Noah, find ourselves in the ark?2. When we think of persecution and difficulty, does it strike us as a strange thing or as something we should expect? You might be living in a country where persecution faces you daily, or in one in which such difficulties are not as prevalent yet. Either way, is it a settled principle in our hearts that we must enter the kingdom through persecution?3. The promise of persecution may make one fainthearted, but Jesus gives the incredible promise that not a hair will shall perish from our heads. Ryle declares that this cannot be literal, but that the world cannot take what matters most: our souls or eternal rewards. Even at the end of time, our bodies will be raised! Beloved brother or sister, does this give you hope in whatever you may be facing? Does it give us courage to be faithful in the midst of various trials? May it be so, by the grace of God!