March 11, 2011

Two reasons to Pray for Japan

Japan is suffering right now. It is also one of the least reached nations on earth. So there are two reasons to pray. Here they are, from Matthew 24 ...

4And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 5For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. 6You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 9Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

In other words, the earthquake in Japan is not further evidence that we should just hunker down wait for Jesus to come back any day. No, this is merely an early birth pang. If we want Jesus to be back any day, we must spring into action, getting the gospel to "all the nations, and then the end will come." May it be so in Japan.

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