Matthew 24:3 – “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was challenged eschatologically.   I heard the question, “Why do people focus on and fret over things they can’t control and don’t impact their salvation?”

The Holy Spirit had something specific in mind, but that is an incredibly encompassing question.  It touches all of life.  If we can’t control it, why do we fret over it?   If it had no bearing on my eternal relationship with God, why spend hours contemplating it?   Are there not things we can change or do, and things directly relating to our salvation and that of others?

We fret over the mark of the beast rather than aligning our hearts with the Truth and surrendering our all to Jesus.   Why?   Is it mere curiosity?   Is it to satisfy the pride of knowing something others do not?   Is it because we are uncertain of our relationship or because we carry the guilt of unresolved offenses and sins?

Do we trust God with our souls?  Do we trust His promises and commitment to us to keep and protect us?  Do we believe in the completeness of the Cross and the sovereignty of God, which enables Him to defeat the devil and keep us?

Then, why the massive concern about things like the Mark, the name of the man of sin, the events of the Great Tribulation, and the exact date Jesus is coming back?   Our commission is to give our whole hearts to God, take the gospel to the lost, pull-down strongholds, and set the captives free.  We are to occupy until He returns.  It is okay to study and be curious about many eschatological things, but not if they become the focus and blind us to our commission.

Could it be that our concept of the 7-year tribulation is sometimes wrongly focused?   The Body of Christ will spend those 7 years becoming the bride and receiving our rewards and eternal assignments.  We will be preparing for the millennial kingdom and eternity, not sitting around the throne singing Kumbaya!   It won’t be harps and wings; it will be preparation.   We prepare now to participate, then.

Right now, our focus should be receiving Jesus as Savior, making Him Lord, and fulfilling our assignment.   We look forward to heaven, and if we live with heaven in our hearts daily, we do not have to fret over something that is beyond our control.  We need to trust Him and focus on our assignment, rather than fretting over things that belong to God.   

Matthew 6:33 is our pathway to peace.   Just because we are curious is not a reason to lose focus.   We have a job to do UNTIL Jesus returns.  That is our primary focus!

May your eyes be glued to the King of the Ages and focused on the task set before us!   God in Victory because you are more than a conqueror through Him!