Jesus drew his disciples’ attention from the destruction of the temple to what is deeper that they might be prepared for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in them, and become the temple of God in the midst of the troubled world, testifying this spiritual revolution in the way of love, and becoming refused by the children of Abraham as unbelievers and blasphemers.
Yet, they could not deny the new state in their hearts if they had become forever ascertained, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit in them, that God is three in one, and that they were his righteous children. Even if they were beaten, or subjected to brainwashing, the testimony of the Comforter would not end in them, for they had become a new creation, a stumbling block to the world which is dead in sins. It appears nowadays that the prevailing of tyrants for tens of years is unable to consume the hunger for God in the hearts of men. Wherever there are regenerated people, spiritual life continues in silent activities through prayer and love to enemies.
No one can pluck out or end the inherited life of God in our world. As a symbol of this experience, we find, in the mountains of Lebanon, a plant whose thick roots dig up deep into the earth that one can cut off its stem, but he cannot end its life, fife, for it continues newly in the interior of the earth, and it grows once and again. This strange plant is commonly known as the gospel, for they have experienced, throughout ages, that no power from this or the other world can end the power of the Holy Gospel.
Christ is the Victor, and his word continues, in spite of refusal and persecution, from one to another, and from a country to another. The end of the world does not come until the gospel has reached all the countries of the world, and the preaching has been completed in all languages of the world. This mystery is required by the just righteousness of God. Until when will you sleep, and care only about yourself and your family? Get up and hurry to your neighbor, for the gospel is a necessity. All are in need of the good news that the Son of God, who was crucified, overcame sins, defeated death, triumphed over the grudge of hell, and demonstrated, on the third day, the everlasting life of God.
Speak, and do not be shy that you may not be separated from the procession of Christ’s triumph. The glory of our triune God is announced and introduced day and night in spiritual broadcasting, in several languages. And the love of God appears in books, magazines, and good deeds, openly to whoever wants to see.
The gospel is on the road. Whoever seeks salvation can obtain it. The preaching of the whole world is also a sign of the end of the world.
Jesus knew that his disciples’ testimony would create a reaction with the fanatic. Yet, he did not interfere to prevent Paul’s torture in his prison, but he assured to him his presence, wisdom, and spiritual power.
Jesus commanded his followers not to worry about how to defend themselves. He promised them that the Holy Spirit would inspire them with wisdom that they might speak the truth in love with the wisdom of serpents and the harmlessness of doves. Christ’s faithful witnesses are anointed and inspired like the prophets. They do not speak their own thoughts, but the Holy Spirit uses them as a microphone at the times of tribulation.
The Lord expects of them obedience that they may speak what the Spirit wants to declare. This preparation requires internal hearing of the Lord’s words in the gospel. Blessed is he who has kept many verses by heart, and trained his heart to hear the fine voice of the Holy Spirit. Then he will hear his Lord’s comfort, even in greatest distress, and at the moment of death.
As such, we may behave as Christ’s ambassadors among the small and the great, shamelessly, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
How often a new convert is refused by his own family, hated, and delivered up to the authority that they might wash the imagined shame brought to their clan! Sometimes the brothers or parents suppose, in their spiritual blindness, that they serve God when they torture a convert of non-Christian origin, or put him to death. We may also see in some countries that the leaders of young people guide the children in their attractive ways to refuse, dislike, and destroy their faithful parents.
Jesus’ name does not only promise us with peace and joy in the heart, but also brings hatred and cross, and sometimes death on the believers, for the spirit of this world struggles mercilessly against the Spirit of God.
Yet, you are not alone in this struggle. Millions of faithful Christians pass through temptations similar to yours. So, be strengthened in the Lord that you may struggle in the evil day. Do not flee from the spiritual conflict, and do not seek the way of ease. There must be preaching. The Lord commands us to proceed. Do not hide yourself under false intentions or pretences of defending the faith, but get up and proceed to the kind attack under the guidance of the Spirit.
The love gifted to you from God is greater than all his dislike. So, do not deny the anointment of the Holy Spirit gifted to you by Jesus. It is more powerful than all the spirits of this world. This love is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. He who endures to the end will be saved.
Jesus strengthens all those who suffer for his name’s sake, and assures them of his faithful promise: “And lo, I am with always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)