終末の前兆・迫害と忍耐・神の避け所（ルカ21章／詩篇91篇) 日曜礼拝 ８月２日
admin_acc- 全体テーマ：終わりの時の前兆の中でも、主は我らの避け所・城であり、恐れず備え、悔い改めと信仰によって守りと救いにあずかる（詩篇91、ルカ21）。
- 詩篇91篇にある主の絶対的な守りに信頼し、「わが避け所、わが城、わが信頼しまつるわが神」と告白して、夜の恐れも昼の矢も疫病も恐れない平安を受ける。
- 「主の翼の下」に宿る者は、狩人のわなや恐ろしい疫病から救われ、主のまことが大盾・ほだてとなる。千人、万人が倒れても、災いは近づかない（詩篇91:4-7）。
- モーセの荒野の歩みのように試練は信仰を鍛える風であり、聖霊の覆いの下で忍耐を学び、主の歌（詩篇91）を心に刻み、歌う者へと整えられる。
- イエス様はエルサレム神殿の崩壊を預言され、終わりの前兆を示された。盤石な日常も崩れ得るゆえ、今この時に悔い改めと信仰の「準備」を行う（ルカ21:6）。
- 第一の前兆は偽キリスト・偽教師の惑わし。「時が近づいた」に惑わされず、聖書に立ち「ついて行くな」という御言葉に堅く従う（ルカ21:8）。
- 戦争や騒乱、民と国の対立、大地震・疫病・飢饉、天からのものすごい前兆は起こるべき事柄であり、恐れず主が共におられることを信じる（ルカ21:9-11）。
- イエス様を信じるゆえの迫害があっても、主が誰も反論できない言葉と知恵を授け、髪の毛一筋も失われないと約束される。最後まで耐え忍べ（ルカ21:15,18-19）。
- 試練に耐え忍ぶ者は幸いで、魂を勝ち取り、いのちの冠を受ける。イエスを救い主として信じ告白し、神の赦しに生きる希望・喜び・平和を保つ（ヤコブ1:12）。
- イエス様は「避け所」「城」であり、婚姻の約束に向かう最高のパートナー。地上の婚約期間を誠実に歩み、主の再臨に備え、執り成しと宣教に励む。
The theme of this sermon is that even amidst the signs of the end times and trials, God is our "refuge," and by enduring through faith, our souls are saved. Based on Luke 21 and Psalm 91, it is preached that events such as wars, disasters, and persecution are not things to be feared, but rather opportunities to return to God and testify to our faith. We are called to trust in the words and wisdom given by Jesus Christ and the promise of protection that "not a hair of your head will perish," and to win our souls through perseverance.
1 The world we live in is precisely crafted by God. Just as plants are strengthened by the stress of "wind," our faith is strengthened through trials. The natural order, including famines, plagues, and earthquakes like the one in Kumamoto on August 2, 2026, shows that even the signs of the end times are within God's plan.
2 The first sign of the end times is the appearance of false Christs. Jesus warned, "Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' or, 'The time is near'" (Luke 21:8). We must not be deceived, but rather seek wisdom from God to discern the truth, following only Lord Jesus and the words of the Bible.
3 Next, rumors of "wars and commotions" will arise, and "nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Luke 21:9-10). Jesus said, "Do not be terrified" when hearing of such things. These must happen first, but the end will not come immediately. We stand in faith, not ruled by fear.
4 Furthermore, there will be "great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven" (Luke 21:11). These signs are not meant to plunge us into terror, but to serve as markers to remember that "it was written in the Bible," confirming that God foretold them out of love. We recognize we are within God's plan.
5 Before these signs, persecution of believers will occur. However, this is a trial that "will result in your testimony" (Luke 21:13). There is no need to worry about how to defend ourselves, as the Lord promises, "I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict" (Luke 21:15).
6 Persecution may come in the painful form of being "betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends." Yet, even in such trials, Jesus powerfully promised, "Not a hair of your head will perish" (Luke 21:18). This is the guarantee that God protects our everything.
7 Amidst any calamity, Psalm 91 promises that God is our "refuge," "fortress," and "great shield." Even if a thousand or ten thousand fall, the disaster will not come near those who trust in God. We should believe that even if unseen, we are protected "under His wings" through the Holy Spirit.
8 Because we have the "great shield" of God's protection, we need not fear "the terror of night," "the arrow that flies by day," or "the pestilence that stalks in the darkness" (Psalm 91:5-6). If we maintain our faith to the end like Moses, God grants us a peace that fears nothing in any situation.
9 Jesus concluded, "By standing firm, you will gain life" (Luke 21:19). Those who rejoice in trials and endure to the end are promised the crown of life (James 1). This perseverance is the proof of faith that leads our souls to eternal salvation.
10 The core of the Gospel is to accept Jesus, our Savior, as our own "refuge" and receive forgiveness for our sins. We are in an engagement period with the promise of becoming one with Jesus in heaven. Let us endure in our walk on this earth, confessing the Lord, and win eternal life in the hope, joy, and peace that God provides.
