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The end is the theme for our reflection. The end means a final part of something, especially a period of time. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and the signs of the end time. In our reflection, we shall focus on the following facts
1. We must be watchful or on guard as the end approaches.
2. The end will be rough for believers but we must be faithful to the end.

Firstly, we are greatly encouraged by Jesus to be watchful as the end approaches. “Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” ⁵ And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. ⁶ Many will come in my name, saying, I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.” (Mark 13:3-6). Matthews also captures Jesus’ admonishment to us to be watchful in the end, Jesus said, “See that no one leads you astray. ⁵ For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. (Matthew 24:4-5). How do we decipher or differentiate between true and genuine prophets or Christ and the antichrist? John gives us the answer when he wrote that “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. ⁴ Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1-6). Being watchful at the end means studying and preaching the Word of God and remaining prayerful even as we are being guided by the Holy Spirit. We have seen the proliferation of many fake prophets and ritualists in our time, especially in Africa. Many people are being misled because of the promise of material wealth and elusive spiritual protection these fake prophets and ritualists preach. Believers or Christians must be on guard so that we are not misled, for Jesus has already revealed to us that these things will surely happen as part of the signs of the end. Let us seriously listen and obey Paul’s admonishment to Timothy when He wrote that “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Secondly, the end will be rough for believers but we must endure faithfully to the end. As part of the signs of the end, Jesus makes the disciples aware that “… they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues…And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. ¹³ And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” (Mark 13:9,12-13) Again, Paul confirms this fact when he wrote that “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10). In the 21- Century, some parts of the world continue to b very hostile to Christians. It is prohibited to preach Christ or even own the Bible. Believers and missionaries continue to be persecuted for preaching Christ. There are parts of Africa where Christians can not live and worship God peacefully. What, then must we do in the midst of persecution as we await the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? We must endure and remain faithful to God in all circumstances, Jesus instructs us that “…you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. ¹¹ And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. (Mark 13:9-11). When we are faithful to our calling as disciples and children of God even in times of tribulations and persecutions during the end times, Jesus assures us that “…the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). Again, Jesus assures us that our faithfulness through endurance will be rewarded when said that “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…”, (Matthew 5:11-12) Paul had this assurance of Jesus’ reward for those who will endure faithfully to the end, therefore, he wrote to encourage Timothy when he was to sentenced to death in Rome on account of the Gospel, Paul wrote, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Beloved in the Lord, are you also ready to endure suffering to the point of death on account of our Lord Jesus Christ when the end comes? Jesus reminds us that “…everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³ but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33). Let us faithfully dedicate our lives to Jesus and continue to endure the hardships that come with our faith in Him. In the end, we shall be greatly and graciously rewarded with eternal life.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme, “the end” We have learnt two important facts about the end. We must be watchful or be on guard as the end approaches, again, the end will be rough for believers but we must endure faithfully to the end where we shall be rewarded by our Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom

PRAYER
1. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to enable us to remain watchful at all times, especially, as the end approaches.
2. Let us pray to faithfully endure persecutions and calamities on account of our Lord Jesus Christ when the end comes.
3. Let us pray for God to use us as instruments of transformation in our generation even as we prepare for the end and His second coming.

Almighty God, we totally surrender ourselves to do your will even in challenging times, may we be found worthy of Your Kingdom even as we faithfully endure suffering on account of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.