FEBRUARY 3 READING…Matthew 24
Our reading today deals with a three part question asked by Jesus’ disciples in response to His prophesy concerning the total destruction of the Temple. The first part of their question…when will this be? Though Jesus did not specifically answer the first part of the question…we know that the Temple was utterly by Titus and the Romans in AD 70. The rest of this chapter deals with the second and third part of their question. What will be the sign of Jesus’ coming (as in 2nd coming)…and the end of the age? This chapter has to do solely with the answer to these questions. For those of us that believe the Bible teaches a rapture of the church prior to Jesus’ coming…that is not mentioned in this chapter…and every geographic reference in this chapter is to Israel.
Jesus gives the signs of His coming. Many false “christs”…wars and rumors of wars…earthquakes, pestilence, and famines…believers will be delivered up for persecution. Some might say these things have always happened, and that would be true. But, Jesus’ verbiage in verse 8 speaks of the beginning of sorrows, or literally like a woman about to give birth. A woman about to give birth has pain the increases two ways…in frequency, and in intensity. The same will happen with these events. Jesus speaks of false prophets rising up…the love of many will grow cold…and finally the Gospel will be preached to the whole world. Jesus speaks of the great Tribulation that is coming on the earth. He refers to an historic event that they would have understood, “the abomination of desolation”, when Antiochus Epiphanies defiled the Temple…prophesied by Daniel. There will be another by the Antichrist. Jesus told them that mankind’s days on the earth at this point would be shortened…if not mankind would destroy themselves.
We read that after the time of tribulation we have the coming of the “Son of Man”…Jesus. He will appear in the clouds, and all the world will see Him, and mourn for that day. His angels will gather His people, before His wrath is poured out on the earth. The Lord tells His disciples to look at the fig tree…you know by it’s leaves that summer is coming. We know by the signs Jesus gave us that He is coming! No one knows the day or the hour, but we can know the day is drawing near. Don’t listen to anyone who claims to know the exact day of Jesus’ return. Our reading closes with Jesus telling us to be ready at all times for His return. Are you ready? Do you have a relationship with God through Jesus? Will you see Jesus when He comes as your loving Savior…or as your condemning Judge?
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW'S READING…Matthew 25
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