Full Dependence on God

“But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death” (Mark 13:9-12).

Jesus was not only looking down to the persecution that would fall upon the first century church following His ascension to heaven, He was also seeing the great tribulation of the last days.

At that fearsome, yet wonderful time, wonderful because Jesus will soon appear, many will be brought before courts to defend their reasons for defying the law of the land, which demands allegiance to the beast power, and give an answer for the hope within them. Through this means, several in high places will receive a knowledge of the truth.

According to Jesus, amongst those who align themselves with the beast by accepting his mark of authority, human affection between sibling’s parents and children will be replaced with a satanic hatred, leading them to betray those in their own family who refuse to cooperate. This will be the greatest evidence that God’s Spirit is being withdrawn from the earth.

Those called before courts are counseled to make no preparations or even premeditate what they will say, similar to the time when Jesus sent out the disciples on a mission trip. “And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse” (Mark 6:8).

In other words, at that time the faithful must depend fully upon God. The Holy Ghost will bring Scripture to their remembrance and instruct them what they are to say, thus the importance of becoming acquainted with the Bible now.

The Spirit cannot bring to remembrance something that is not there.