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Luke 21:19 - Faithful and Persevering in Christ is Life Eternal.

Luke 21:19 - Faithful and Persevering in Christ is Life Eternal.

Luke 21:19 (ESV) By your endurance you will gain your lives. 

Luke 21:19 (CWB) Remain faithful and you'll receive eternal life.

Luke 21:19 (MSG) Staying with it -- that's what is required. Stay 
with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved.  

   Jesus painted a grim picture for His disciples: false 
saviors, toppled governments, international conflicts, cosmic 
disturbances, domestic upheaval, religious persecution, displaced refugees, 
earthquakes, tsunamis, and family betrayal. No wonder "people will be 
terrified at what they see coming upon the earth." Jesus described what it 
looks like when sin and death are wreaking chaos.  
   But amid this destruction, fear, and confusion, Jesus doesn't 
fail to give his disciples glimmers of hope, even in the darkest 
moments. He promised them wisdom amid persecution (Luke 21:15). He 
promised them salvation amid execution (Luke 21:16-19).  
   Even in the havoc of sin, God's own justice would be at work, 
fulfilling the Scriptures (Luke 21:22), causing "everything to work 
together for the good of those who love God" (Romans 8:28). And just as 
the heavens themselves are shaken, Jesus himself will come "with 
power and great glory."  
   Jesus is Lord. He has already defeated sin and death. These 
events are the throes of their own last breaths. Even as the ground 
shakes beneath our feet and others stumble for cover, Jesus encourages 
us to "stand and look up, for your salvation is near!" We are 
unshaken and hopeful because Jesus is Lord. [One Year NLT SB re Luke 
21:5-28] 

   The picture painted in this passage is rather gloomy. Why? 
Because the world is winding toward a certain predetermined end time 
when Jesus will return from heaven and set up his eternal kingdom. 
Until that time, however, a spiritual battle wages in the realm beyond 
our senses - we can't see it or hear it, but it's there. Satan and 
his demons are fighting what will ultimately be a losing battle. The 
part of the battle that we do see, the evil that continues to 
escalate - culminating in persecution, wars, natural disaster, betrayal, 
and widespread destruction - will keep occurring until Jesus returns 
and "everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power 
and great glory" (21:27).  
   Jesus gave these warnings to keep us from being disheartened. 
While God's plans for us are always good, we must be prepared that the 
world will not always be an easy place. No matter what happens here, 
however, the promises to you will be kept in eternity. [The One Year 
Bible for New Believers re Luke 21:5-28] 

   Whether watching a television show, video, or movie, or 
reading a book, everyone likes happy endings, where the main characters 
triumph over tragedy and overwhelming odds. We like to see the hero or 
heroine get justice or some other reward. Ultimately, we like to see 
evil soundly defeated and, at times, completely eliminated. We want 
the events to happen this way because in real life there are few 
happy endings. Good hardly ever seems to triumph and never seems to 
win out.  
   The bad news is that things are not going to get better - 
yet. In this reading, Jesus warns his followers that in the end times 
they will be persecuted, arrested, and killed because of him. But he 
also reassures them that those who remain faithful to him during the 
difficult times will definitely experience a happy ending. If your present 
struggles seem overwhelming, take hope as you read this passage - God's 
story has a truly happy ending.  
   Jesus knew that the time would come when people would oppose 
both him and his disciples, even to the point of torturing and 
killing them. Some of his followers would even find relatives and former 
friends among their new enemies. Jesus told his disciples to expect 
this, but he also told them not to worry because God's Holy Spirit 
would tell them what to say and how to respond whenever they came 
under attack (Luke 21:14-19).  
   Following Christ has always entailed the risk of rejection 
from others. Jesus reassures us that whenever that happens, he stands 
right there with us, with his Holy Spirit guiding and helping us. 
Remember this the next time you need courage or hope, and then stand firm 
for Christ. [The One Year Through the Bible Devotional by Dave 
Veerman re Luke 21:12-19] 

For believers, to believe in Jesus and stand firm to the end 
will take perseverance because their faith will be challenged and 
opposed. Severe trials will sift true Christians from fair-weather 
believers. Standing firm to gain life does not mean that standing firm 
earns salvation; instead, it marks those who are already saved. 
Assurance of salvation will keep believers going through the times of 
persecution. 

Links For Further Study On This Topic:

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060113-1025.html

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040308-1412.html

Excellent Video Series On Experiencing God:


http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/ 

Excellent Bible Prophecy Series By Dr Ron Clouzet:

http://www.propheciesdecoded.com/program