Universal Instruction Regarding The Kingdom Of God
The end will surely come. The appearance of Jesus will be universal and according to His word. First the tares will be taken, then the wheat. Take heart. Don't forsake prayer. Have faith in the salvation of Jesus and His Father. God is not unjust nor are the righteous forsaken. Don't be discouraged. Lay down your life. Pray to be worthy to stand in the evil day and to stand before the LORD Jesus at the judgment.
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80: The Parable Of The Widow And The Judge
Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told a parable to his disciples to this end–that men ought always to pray, and not become discouraged, saying:
“There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, ‘Avenge me of mine adversary.’ And he would not for a while. But afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I fear not God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
Jesus continued:
“Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though her bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
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81: The Parable Of The Pharisee And The Publican
Luke 18:9-14
Speaking to persons who believed themselves to be righteous, while they despised others, Jesus said:
“Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus within himself, ‘God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
