Encourage Each Other

Daniel 12:1-3

[In the Last Days, God will send his archangel to save those in the book of life. They shall be raised unto eternal life like shining stars; unbelievers unto damnation.]

"At that time [the Last Days] shall arise [the Archangel] Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book [of life]. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

Hebrews 10:11-25

[Have confidence in your High Priest, Jesus Christ, who has atoned for your sins. Worship with and encourage others in the faith.]

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

"This is the covenant that I will make with them

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws on their hearts,

and write them on their minds,"

then he adds,

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Mark 13:1-13

[The End is coming. Antichrists will try to mislead you. You will be persecuted. Rely upon the Holy Spirit. Hold firm to the faith unto the end and you will be saved.]

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" And Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 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. 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. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Encourage Each Other

Hebrews 10:24-25 – “Let us work on each other to stir up love and good works, not neglecting to worship together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the [Last] Day drawing near.”

Many people ask, “Why should I go to church?” The best answer is: “To help someone else.” Yes, God hears your prayer and praises wherever you are. But, people need your spiritual gifts, witness and Christian encouragement. You need theirs.

The writer of Hebrews says “stir up love and good works.” As the world gets more dangerous and the End nears, people often cocoon in their homes and soothe their senses with entertainment. We often forget the needs of others.

There is work to be done. We need to remind others of their hope in Jesus Christ. And, we need their encouragement. We need to call each other to showing love for neighbors and doing good works that serve their physical, mental, and spiritual best interests. And, we need to encourage them in their faith.

The time is short. People need encouragement. The Thanksgiving hymn, “We Gather Together,” says: “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing; Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.” Amen.

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX

www.rlcbaytown.org