Written ~ 02-01-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Twenty-Four
Matthew 24
The entire chapter 24 of Matthew has Jesus speaking to His disciples about end time events. Jesus is responding to their questions, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal Your return and the end of the world?”
We have a pretty detailed response from Jesus and a list of all that will take place and we still ask those same questions today. Every generation that has come before us has probably asked the same questions. When will this happen? When are You coming back Lord? With each generation the world seems to become more corrupt and evil. So with each generation we feel His return is closer than it’s ever been before.
Let me say this, I am not a Scholar of Bible Prophecy, so I am not going to try and explain these events and how they line up with what the world is going through today. That would be irresponsible of me to even try, instead I want us to pay attention to the words of Jesus and be prepared for His return.
Let’s focus on verses 24:32-35,
32 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know His return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but My Words will never disappear.”
It is our responsibility to be ready, to be prepared for Christ’s return, to watch the signs and remain faithful to His Word. Because of a great deception in the last days we need to be on guard. In verses 24:9-12 it says,
9 “…you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers. 10 And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”
When everything in this world becomes more and more evil it says here that “many will turn away from the Lord… sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of many will grow cold.”
In verse 24:42 it says,
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”
As believers we are to watch the signs. But even more importantly it’s time for us to spread the Gospel! Live our lives according to the Scriptures! It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our daily regimen and how others effect our day. When we should be focusing on the Lord – in everything. It’s difficult some days. I know!! I have moments where stress and responsibility come crashing down and I can’t breathe. Sometimes we might say we just want a carefree life with no burdens to weigh us down, but then we risk not seeing our great need for Christ and we may miss out on experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding.
So instead of creating fear in our hearts as we read the signs of the end times, we need to have hope, when we see these things being fulfilled, we can have the assurance that when the Lord returns we will be riding in the clouds with Him. When our hearts have been given over to the Lord, we have hope for our future! We will live for eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven. We may need to endure the troubles of this world, but we have so much to look forward to.
Prepare your hearts, get right with God, place your full trust in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Take a look again at verse 24:35,
35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but My Words will never disappear.
In Hebrews 13:8 it says, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever!” So even when this earth is no longer here we can know without doubt and be encouraged that the Word of the Lord still stands! His truth will remain! “His Words will never disappear!” That’s why I try to encourage each of you to read your Bibles, study the words written within it. Seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to understand what you are reading. Ask for the Lord’s guidance so you can apply His leadership to your own life. We must remain faithful to His Word. When the world crushes us with its despair, we have the only anchor that can keep us steady, the Word of the Lord.
Be faithful. Be ready. Be prepared. Keep watch.
~AMEN~