June 3, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Prophecy Continued
Luke 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
There is a phrase in verse 12 that says “But before all these things”. Before all the things of which were spoken, there will be a persecution against certain groups.
Remember, Luke is writing; Luke is a gentile and more importantly a Christian gentile. Also remember, that the Lord is addressing the Jews as well. Both groups will be persecuted. Both groups will be brought before synagogues, kings and rulers.
These things are happening right now. I personally know of families who have experienced persecution and have been brought before rulers because they were Christian and following Christian values. I personally know of churches that have been raided and closed and members incarcerated for simply holding services in Jesus name and worshiping Jesus.
When that happens, God says, don’t worry about what you will say and how you will answer, He said he will give you the words to say at the right time.
Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Do you know How God gives you the words to say? It comes from reading the bible. The word of God, when read, and memorized, and meditated upon, will be brought to mind via the Holy Ghost at exactly the right moment. My Christian brother and sister, you have nothing to be concerned about.
Also, we notice that there will be personal betrayal as well.
Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
Remember, I said I knew and know of families being persecuted today. One such persecution was facilitated by the parents of a young lady who trusted Christ. They reported this church to the authorities and the church was raided, people were arrested and incarcerated.
2Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Jesus said in John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
There is good news in all of this: Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
The Lord gives the true born-again believer a great promise and great solace.
My friend, we as born-again believers have something most of the world will never have, Jesus. Many have religion and edicts and policy whereby they life, but the believer has Jesus. Jesus is alive and well and loves His own and knows who they are.
John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
Do you know Jesus, does Jesus know you?
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook