Who is that talking?

What does the future hold? People have always been interested in how it will all turn out. There was a time when one branch of the Christian faith was so convinced that their religion was such a powerful force in society that the very next century would be  “The Christian Century.” The well-known magazine by that name was first published in 1884 as its editors looked ahead with confidence to the better days soon to come. Unfortunately, history has shown that while well intentioned, it did not work out that way. It may be best to look at what Jesus had to say about the state of society, and especially the role of the believer, at the time everything is drawing to a close.
       One place in the gospels that describes what lies ahead is Matt. 24:9-14. Here are some clauses that Jesus uses to describe that period:
       “When this terrible time comes, keep a level head”
       “Brother will betray brother to death
       “At that time many will renounce their faith”
       “Evil will become so rampant that men’s love for one another, as well as for                                       God, will grow cold.”
       “Only after that will the end come” (JIHOW pp. 206-07).
It appears that there is trouble ahead for the believer. And of course that “ahead” has already come in many places where Christians are even now suffering the brutality of active opposition to the God of the Christian faith. Of course Jesus sketched that sort of world for his followers when he warned that “The gate to life is narrow, and the road is difficult; not many find it” (p. 60; Matt. 7:14).”
       I am especially interested in what Jesus had to say about that fateful period when believers are put on trial and asked about their faith.  He encourages the one being interrogated not to be anxious about what they should say because at that critical moment the Holy Spirit will be “the one who will be speaking through you.” What happens in times like this is that God steps into the process in the person of the Spirit and “argues his own case” (if I may put it that way). The voice may sound like yours, but it is God who speaks. And of course that is what always happens when the truth is spoken. The words may be ours but the voice is His. This is something I wish would be taken more seriously by those who fill the pulpits of our world. Obviously, sermons should be carefully prepared, but the power to change life is not what the preacher may say, but the voice of the Spirit himself who takes those words and suddenly they are alive.
       So I believe that what Jesus is saying about the end of time has real significance right now as we share the message of hope and salvation with those who could in time be doing the asking. One thing we know and that is, that in either case, in today’s sanctuary as well as tomorrows courtroom, it will be the Spirit who will be doing the talking. God is in charge!