I’ve heard so many people saying to me, “I couldn’t see myself birthing/raising children with the way the world is heading.” Whether followers of Jesus or not, much of the world is the aware of the darkness that surrounds.
And yet, many (even in the Church) don’t realize that Jesus’s return doesn’t merely depend on the darkness, but the Light. Wars and rumors of wars, false prophets, the sun darkening, etc. are not alone what signify Jesus’s coming. Remember- He will return when the Gospel of the Kingdom is spread throughout the earth. Matthew 24 says this: “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:1-14)
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares speaks of this. As the tares (the weeds) grow, so do the wheat! As darkness grows in the earth- don’t let it scare you because that can only mean the Light is simultaneously growing!
Matthew 13:24-30//
“He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Notice what He’s saying here. He’s giving time for the maturity of the wheat AND the weeds. The parallel here is that in our world, darkness has to mature into greater darkness, and light into greater glory! Did you know that when a weed is fully mature, it often stands straight up; whereas when wheat is fully mature, it bows from the weight of its fruit. Such as it is with believers vs. unbelievers. Believers in their most mature state will be the most contrite, humble, meek, bursting with fruit, yet in full submission (bowing) to the King of Kings. Opposite that, the weeds will stand straight up in pride, boastfulness and haughtiness, refusing to bow. What I’m saying here is that- the more darkness and light mature-the more stark the difference. Here’s why this matters for you as a parent or future parent: the world will only grow in evil to the degree that the Church will shine in power and love! It matters because your child could be in the very age that the Gospel of the Kingdom is spread to the ends of the earth!
Ephesians 4 says that the end goal of the Church is that we would all “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Do you realize that we have the ability (and the promise) to attain to the WHOLE measure of Christ? This means that by the end of the age, the actual BODY of Christ will grow to the maturity and stature of our Head, Christ. We won’t be bobble headed anymore! We will be a strong, healthy, powerful body to match our all-powerful Head.
So, yes-persecution. Yes-being hated by the world. Yes-darkness. But also, yes- MIRACLES, unity, power, gifts of the Spirit and a love more fiery than ever that’s willing to endure all the way to the end!
So, to answer the question, “is it exciting to think about my children (and the generations after) being raised in such a darkened age?” YES! Because that means they will move in a greater level of authority, power, and yes, signs and wonders to match and even EXCEED the darkness!
So the question isn’t, “oh gosh-what level of darkness will they see?” But rather, “Ahh man! What level of GLORY will they carry?” Let the equipping begin! We are the ones, and they are the ones, who will carry the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout the entire earth.
We will walk in unity, love and a sound mind.
We will return to the fear of the Lord and a reverence in the fact that we are the very house of His Presence.
The Maranatha Cry of the church, as we prepare for His return, is getting louder. “Come Lord Jesus! We’re getting ready!”
The tests and trials are intensifying, but so is our faith. We are becoming steadfast, immovable, unshakeable.
Bone of His bone and Spirit of His Spirit, we will see His glory manifested through us in greater ways.
We will stand with resolve in the face of persecution.
We will saturate ourselves in the Word of God like never before.
The reality of the kingdoms of this world will grow strangely dim as we behold His face.
He is making us Wedding Feast ready- us, our children, and our great great grandchildren.
Forever following The Way,
Jada
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