“Let Us Endure to the End”
In life, we plan ahead with near hope or future hope. When the plans do not yield expected results, there is a tendency to withdraw to reconsider. What should we do when hopes are not realised? When our expectations seem unfulfilled? When we anticipated the return of the Master but it did not occur? He himself declared, “This generation shall not pass away until these things have happened” (Matt 24:34). Since we do not know the hour or day when the Son of God will come (v 36), we should not faint along the way but endure to the end. We should therefore keep watch (25:13).
Daniel found himself waiting and watching but the time was not ripe for the redemption of Jerusalem as he thought. He saw the developing power of the East in the rise of the Medes and Persians and waited. He was told it would come but it did not occur as he had hoped (Daniel 10:1,2). We face similar situations and feelings. Did we not expect the Lord’s coming lastyear? After all the pain, toil and suffering, I personally thought scripture was going to be fulfilled due to all the signs of the times: hunger, diseases, wars and the general world unrest, the financial crunch. All these I thought pointed to the return of Jesus, but he did not come. After all this, should we allow lethargy to prevent us from being stirred up to continuous personal anticipation/hope? We have heard that “the set time to favour Zion” will come when the right minute, hour or day has arrived. Not until then and not beyond then, for God’s appointed time.
We should therefore continue running the race, keep watching with our eyes open, keep listening with our ears open and endure to the end. Our continuing hope gives life and vigour to our spiritual existence. Let us not negatively influence or dampen others’ spirits by our own weaknesses and disappointments. The day will definitely come and is fast approaching. But when the Master finally appears, “Will he find faith on the earth?” This is the big question. It will depend on our attitudes and expectations. Let them not fail at this late hour.
In conclusion, let us heed the words of the Master when he says, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Rev 22:12). What a statement as given by the Master himself. Should we get tired, lose hope or withdraw? Absolutely NO, should be the answer.
Bro Itai Tembo (Kadoma, Zimbabwe)
