Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2025
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Be prepared (Matt. 24:44).
The “great tribulation” will begin suddenly (Matt. 24:21). But unlike many other disasters, it will not take everyone by surprise. About 2,000 years ago, Jesus told his followers to be prepared for that day. If we follow this advice, it will be easier for us to survive this difficult period and to help others do so. (Luke 21:36) We will need endurance to obey Jehovah and trust that he will protect us. What will we do if our brothers lose part of their possessions or are left with nothing? (Hab. 3:17, 18) We will need compassion to help them and provide for their needs. And how will we act when a coalition of nations attacks us and we may have to live in a small space with our brothers for a time? (Ezek. 38:10-12) We will need a deep love for our spiritual family. w23:07 2 pars. 2, 3.
Why do we need endurance, compassion, and love to be prepared for the great tribulation?
To be prepared for the Great Tribulation, we need to cultivate three qualities. How will we react if we are asked to deliver a harsh message of condemnation and others turn against us? (Rev. 16:21) There, we will need endurance to obey Jehovah and trust that he will protect us. What will we do if our brothers lose part of their possessions or are left with nothing? (Hab. 3:17, 18) There, we will need compassion to help them and provide for their needs. And how will we act when a coalition of nations attacks us and we may have to live in a small space with our brothers for a time? (Ezek. 38:10-12) There, we will need a very deep love for our spiritual family.
What indicates that we should strive for greater endurance, compassion, and love?
God's Word encourages us to have more endurance, compassion, and love. Luke 21:19 states, “By your endurance you will save your lives.” Colossians 3:12 advises, “Clothe yourselves with compassion.” And 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10 says, “God himself is teaching you to love one another. [...] But we encourage you, brothers, to do more and more.” All of these words were directed at people who were already demonstrating endurance, compassion, and love. But they needed to continue cultivating these qualities. And we need to do the same. What will help us do this? In this article, we'll look at how the early Christians cultivated these qualities and how we can imitate them and be prepared for the Great Tribulation.
What did the early Christians do to endure?
The early Christians needed to endure (Heb. 10:36). In addition to the normal problems of life, they faced other difficulties because of their faith. Many suffered persecution from the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman authorities, as well as opposition from within their own families (Matt. 10:21). At times, they had to fight the influence of apostates, who tried to divide the congregation with their false teachings (Acts 20:29, 30). Despite everything, these Christians endured (Rev. 2:3). How did they do it? By meditating on examples of endurance from the Hebrew Scriptures, such as Job (James 5:10, 11). By praying to Jehovah for strength (Acts 4:29-31). And by being mindful that he would reward them for their endurance (Acts 5:41).
What can we learn from what Merita did to withstand the opposition?
We too can endure if we make it a habit to meditate on the examples of endurance we find in the Bible and in our publications. This is what helped a sister from Albania named Merita to continue despite her family's violent opposition. She says: “When I studied the story of Job in the Bible, it touched my heart. This man suffered greatly... and didn't know who was causing his troubles. Yet, as Job 27:5 says, he said, 'Until I die, I will not relinquish my integrity!' This made me think that my trials are much smaller than his, and that I do know who is behind them.”
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