““You must watch out for yourselves. You will be handed over to councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them. First the gospel must be preached to all nations. When they arrest you and hand you over for trial, do not worry about what to speak. But say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Mark 13:9-13 NET https://bible.com/bible/107/mrk.13.13.NET

Is the Lord’s return near? Many Christians think so. They look at the increasing immorality of the culture and expect the Lord to return to bring vengeance upon the sinner. God so loved the world that He gave His Son. God prefers mercy over judgment. If the Lord’s return is near, then Jesus says His people will be persecuted severely for obedience to the Great Commission. Are we, as a church suffering for sharing Jesus with people? Who is even doing such a thing? Too many Christians are cowering in fear, not mentioning nor standing for Jesus and obeying His commands in the marketplace. They are not suffering as Jesus said His people will do when the end is near. These Christians are enduring, but they are not faithful to the gospel. Should Jesus return and find us hiding, will He be pleased? If we would hasten His return, if we are at the end of days, then let His church boldly proclaim His message and suffer the consequences as a result. We should not think we are nearing the end if we are not suffering for sharing Jesus with others passionately and consistently.