An Opportunity

Luke 21:1-33

​This will be an opportunity to bear witness.
The temple in Jerusalem was beautiful. Inside was an array of treasures given by wealthy donors. Artist's work made of gold adorned the marble walls and portico. The marble stones were expertly quarried and pieced together making this one of the most amazing structures in the world. Each morning as the sun rose, the gold plated temple wall gleamed from its reflection.
While Jesus and His followers were leaving the temple, one of his disciples began admiring its splendor. Jesus said to him, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." 
Jesus was predicting the upcoming destruction of the temple. He went on to tell them about how things would grow increasingly worse for them as His kingdom grew near. The disciples listened closely thinking these things would take place soon. Although the temple would be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, Jesus was speaking of all that would take place leading up to His return as judge and king over all the earth in the age to come.
Jesus warned that before He established His kingdom there would be false Christ's, false prophets, wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, lawlessness, betrayal amongst brothers, and much unrest in the world.
He spoke of how His followers would be hated, persecuted, even put to death and of how many who said they were believers, would fall away when things became hard. For those who truly believed, Jesus reminded them of the great opportunity this would be to bear witness of their faith. 
He assured them not to worry, but instead to trust Him. He would give them "a mouth if wisdom" which no enemy would be able to argue against. He assured His followers, let that be you and me, that their perseverance would ensure their eternal reward in Heaven.
(Luke 21)