The Answers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC: Jesus’ Discipleship Training (Mark 3:13-15) 03/15/2020
The Answers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC: Jesus’ Discipleship Training (Mark 3:13-15) 03/15/2020
The world is frozen with fear of this virus. How “humans can be this weak” is once again a bit confirmed. While sincerely praying for the people who are suffering across the world, there are at least three messages of God to hold onto within the Word. These calamities and sufferings are already predicted in the Bible. Events, where mankind will suffer due to diseases, are especially predicted, and it has actually been happening (Pest of 1447, the Spanish Flu that followed WW1 and etc.). First, it is a rightful result due to the greed of humans. That is why it is said that all creations wait for the time of salvation (Romans 8:21-22). Second, it is a necessary (inevitable) time schedule that notifies the fact that day the Lord will return is near. It says that Satan knows that his time is short and will bring all calamities and suffering into this world (Revelations 12:12). However, the conclusion of Revelations is that the people of God will keep their faith, be victorious and greet the Lord (Revelations 22:20-21). Third, there is something absolute that God desires in the last days (Matthew 24:14). It is to find those who were predestined to be saved within that and to heal, save and raise them as disciples who will share the gospel. This is the message of the past four weeks.
- Do not be afraid, and take care of your health as the specialist has said and firmly hold onto God’s absolute covenant.
1) If we are truly people of God who have been saved, the Holy Spirit will hold onto us.
Revelations promised that the forces of all disasters and curses will be unable to harm those who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. It says that those who have been saved in the Old and New Testament are within the 144,000 (Revelations 7:4, 9:4, 14:1-3). It is tremendous that I have accepted Christ and have been saved. They are ones who have been marked by the Holy Spirit with a seal (Ephesians 1:13). If we truly look onto Him, it says that He will save us from all of Satan’s snares and evil pestilence (Psalms 91:3,11).
2) God continuously tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the Holy Spirit may guard and guide me and be at work.
This is the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25. It is a parable that was given after talking about all the signs of the end times in Matthew 24. What is the core? It tells us to prepare the oil and to be awake (verse 13). There is an actual image of believers who are victorious in all of the calamities, hardships and suffering clothed in white celebrating with the Lord who is the Lamb in Revelations 19. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can take care of ourselves, are guided to know what or what not to say, and above all else, we receive the faith and strength to overcome everything.
3) If we truly are evangelists who will save, heal and bless the world in this end times, the Lord said that He will hold onto us.
Mark 16:15-20 said that no poison will be of harm. This is the covenant given to evangelists. Revelations 12:17 said that Satan tried to harm “the rest of the woman’s offspring,” the people of God, but he could not defeat “those who hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” What is the “testimony about Jesus?” It signifies the persecutions and difficulties faced while spreading the gospel (Galatians 6:17). Are there really any loss, persecutions, and false accusations while sharing the gospel? This is what needs to be prepared while being awake and praying in this time of difficulty. It does not matter even if illness may come. There will be a victory. May you be prepared as true evangelists and true disciples.
- The passage talks about what the Lord will train in the disciples who will save and heal the world and be victorious.
We are chosen people of this age. May you hold onto three covenants and may it become a blessing you experience and enjoy.
1) The first blessing a disciple should enjoy is that He is with me (verse 14).
① He has solved sin, curses, Satan’s curses and the curse of hell with the authority of Christ and through His death on the cross and now is with me.
That is why He said, “It is fulfilled,” “It is finished” on the cross (John 19:30). Problems, suffering, and calamities will continue. However, enjoy Christ being with me in every moment and restore this faith.
② As He resurrected, He is with me with His life, power, and authority.
I am living with a different life. Now we live with a heavenly DNA (“Holy Seed” of Isaiah 6:13).
③ As he ascended, He is with me through the Holy Spirit.
To be sealed with the Holy Spirit signifies Him being with us. He is with me as a “Counselor” who comforts, protects, teaches and guides me (John 14:16-18). Remnants and all people of God enjoy this blessing (like David’s confession in Psalms 23).
2) The second blessing a disciple should enjoy is the blessing of evangelism (verse 14b)
It is a blessing that rightfully follows when we enjoy Christ, who is the answer to all problems, being with me.
① God has to make everything into evidence when we truly live centered on evangelism that saves people and the world (Acts 1:8).
My pain and suffering will also become evidence. With that evidence, testify and save other people like me. Engage in your academics, job, and business with a center of evangelism and mission to save people. Everything will be given (Matthew 6:33).
② We will experience the blessing of meeting people who have been specifically prepared when we live centered on this.
The Holy Spirit allows the meeting (Acts 8:26, 29, 39). There will be an experience of the Holy Spirit opening that heart (Acts 16:14). Make a list of people encountered like this and start by praying (individual Upper Room, work to be done in regional churches).
③ Since how or when the meeting will happen is unknown, I must be prepared.
I must be able to give an accurate way and answer. Continuously practice the “way of salvation” alone. It is especially mandatory to carry around evangelism materials. Verses written in small slips of paper alone can change a life.
3) The third blessing a disciple should enjoy is the blessing of spiritual victory (verse 15).
① A disciple should be able to accurately see what the works of the devil are than anyone else (John 3:8).
He is a thief that brings suffering and failure to all lives (John 10:10). That is why incomprehensible problems come even if you live a good and zealous life. He also leads to the way of corruption (Ephesians 2:2-3). He holds the rulers and authorities of the world and lead them into suffering (Ephesians 6:12) and moves powerful nations and creates various problems and suffering (Revelations 18:1-3).
② There could be even just one who comes to Christ among them, but he blocks them from realizing Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
He hinders them from listening to the word. He hardens hearts. He creates busyness and confusion. This is the absolute reason why evangelists must enjoy the power of crumbling darkness when saving and helping someone (Luke 10:19).
③ There is something more important. There are works to persecute and interrupt evangelists and to lead them to give up.
The disciples were deceived by this devil and committed betrayal and even ran away (John 13:27, Luke 22:31-32). That is why evangelists themselves must wear full armor, receive strength in prayer, fight and be victorious (Ephesians 6:13).
Conclusion – We are the remaining ones and disciples of the end times. May you save yourself and stand as disciples who are trained to save the world.