You make an excellent point but it does not negate mine about always being ready and not worrying about it. He is warning non-believers through us while urging us on. That is a point I had not considered. Thanks.
However, I am not sure than redoubling our efforts to convert the lost will produce any better results than before. Certainly warning them that the end is nye is not the best way. That only produces pseudo believers who claim fealty to escape death and damnation. Is that true belief? Would that fool God?
I don’t think that is what “Those who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first.” means.
Perhaps there are a few who, when it is pointed out what the scripture says and comparing that to what has actually happened, may then suddenly believe ALL the scripture, yet, do you think it would convert the multitudes? Do you think they would all be sincere conversions as opposed to “paying the insurance premiums just in case” conversions? Shouldn’t we be trying to spread the gospel to the unbelievers at all times rather than just at the end?
Although I have seen much wisdom in the Bible which affects our everyday lives, messages I think too many Christians gloss over in their determined adherence to the scripture per se, I know there is much there I do not understand. I cannot reconcile the following with the Book of Revelations:
(Mark 13:30-32), “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31”Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone,”
(Matt. 24:36), “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
It's not for us to be concerned about what will fool God. It is our responsibility, as those who know Christ as Savior, to spread the Gospel, even more so as we see the return of Christ at the door. We are never required to make judgments regarding whether or not a person's belief is genuine. It is our job to tell people the fact of Christ's death on the cross as payment for our sin and the fact that the opportunity to accept the free gift of eternal life is coming to a close.
Perhaps there are a few who, when it is pointed out what the scripture says and comparing that to what has actually happened, may then suddenly believe ALL the scripture, yet, do you think it would convert the multitudes?
God never said that the multitudes would be converted. Indeed, God says:
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13, 14)
More people will choose death over the eternal life that Christ offers. No Christian expects to convert the multitudes. It simply will never happen.
Do you think they would all be sincere conversions as opposed to “paying the insurance premiums just in case” conversions? Shouldn’t we be trying to spread the gospel to the unbelievers at all times rather than just at the end?
We should spread the Gospel at all times but the urgency to get the word out grows as the time for getting the word out is running out.
I cannot reconcile the following with the Book of Revelations:
(Mark 13:30-32), “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31”Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone,”
(Matt. 24:36), “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
That Scripture reconciles perfectly with the book of Revelation. Right before Mark 13:30 is Mark 13:29, which says:
“Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door."
What "things" are Christ referring to? The signs of His return that He just gave to the disciples in Mark 13:5-27. These "things" that Christ discussed in those verses are events which will transpire during the Tribulation, which are confirmed in the book of Revelation.
Jesus told His disciples that the generation which lives to see these "things" will not pass until the "things" which He just laid out for them happen. He also told them that no one, not even the angels, will know the day nor the hour which He will physically and literally return to earth. Those verses reconcile beautifully with Revelation. There is no discrepancy whatsoever.
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"(Mark 13:30-32), “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31”Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone,”
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"(Matt. 24:36), “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”"
I suspect if a Christian knew of a certainty that a non-Christian was going to die physically the next day, and managed to convince that guy of his peril then that guy would probably be as open as he could possibly be to hear the Gospel.
However, I also suspect that creating a panic tied to a particular date which then does not materialize - probably discredits both the speaker and his message. Or to put it another way, the attempt to spread the Gospel that way might actually have a negative effect, i.e. "if he was wrong about this then why should I believe his testimony about Christ."