“Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Mark 13:13 (Mark 13:1-23)
During tha last week of tha Son’s life on earth, while he be sitting on tha Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things [about tha temple’s destruction] happen? What will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled? What will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the age?”
Like a good many, tha four had a great many questions ’bout dates and times and signs of tha Son’s second coming. Only like most times, tha Son doth not give’em a plain answer. He hinted at a few of tha events ter come, but mostly he gave his fellers instructions fer how ter carry on ’till his return. Tha Son said ter them:
“Watch out that no one deceives you.”
This always be good advice on account of that black-hearted rascal tha devil be an expert in deception. Them who doth not be in tha Son often fall under tha devil’s spell and get tricked in ter believing his lies. This be why them in tha Son needs ter be in Skipper’s Code of Conduct right regular. When ya get in ter Skipper’s Code of Conduct ya be training yer self to watch out fer tha devil’s deceptive lies.
“You must be on your guard.”
Wily folks always be looking fer ways ter trap them who follow that Son. This be why we need ter keep one hand on the sword of the spirit, which be tha words of Skipper (Ephesians 6:17) and tha shield of faith, which kin extinguish all tha flaming arrows of tha devil. Stand yer guard with Skip’s words and faith in tha Son and ya ‘ill stand firm ter tha end.
“You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.”
This be mainly fer tha four and all other disciples during tha Son’s time on earth, but his warning echos down ter us ter this very day. Ah good many brothers and sisters in tha Crew be persecuted, tortured, and killed on account of tha faith, love, and witness they ‘ave fer tha Son. If ya find yer self in such straits, take heart. Tha Son warned ya in advance this might happen. He be right ready ter stand with ya in yer suffering, fer he whar persecuted as well and endured ter tha end.
“The gospel must first be preached to all nations.”
We ne’er know who Skip calls ter be in his kingdom, so it be our task ter tell all. As ter who choses ter heed Skip’s invite, that be out of our hands. Go tell tha good spiel on the mountains and tell it in tha valley; tell it on land and tell it on sea. That be our charge from tha Son.
“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”
This be a right comforting thought, fer it means we doth not need ter work up words ter present when we be charged with being a follower of tha Son. All we need ter do is be in Skip’s Word daily, pray his words back ter him, and rely on his Holy Ghost of Truth ter bring ter mind jest tha right words when we stand be fer judges, juries, and them who be lost in darkness and needing tha light of tha Son.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.”
Some times them closest ter ya through blood be tha ones who do ya tha most harm. Ne’er hold it agin them. Remember that Judas betrayed tha Son and right be fer he did, tha Son washed Judas’ feet. Tha Son knowed tha heart of Judas and still he cleaned him with water. No doubt tha Son would ‘ave washed Judas clean with his blood if tha devil ‘ad not gone in ter Judas and ’caused tha poor feller ter hang himself. Our witness fer tha Son might costs us our life, but if it helps lead someone ter tha Son it be a good bargain.
“Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”
Folks filled with hate ‘ill near ’bout always lay that same charge of hate on tha Son and Skipper and thar words. It be tha way of tha devil ter slander, malign, and lie ’bout Skipper and tha Son’s followers. Thar be some things Skip hates, that be true.
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty, proud, arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19). Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate (Proverbs 8:13). The Lord hates the wicked and the one who loves violence (Psalm 11:5).
Worry not ’bout what folks say ’bout ya. Instead worry ’bout what tha Son ‘ill say ’bout ya on tha day of his coming. If ya stand firm ter tha end ya might expect ter hear, “Well done, mate! Well done!”