A NEW MONTH!

Day 311 – Reading – Matthew 24

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew 24.

This chapter covers what we’ve already read in Luke 21 and Mark 13.  

.

The conversation between Jesus and his men is prompted by their admiration of the temple and walls of Jerusalem and Jesus’ abrupt news that it won’t be long before they all will lay in ruins.

This prompted more questions, such as: WHEN it would happen, and WHAT would be the SIGN of His coming and the end of the age.

Across the Kidron Valley on the Mount of Olives (possibly in the Garden of Gethsemane), Jesus sat down with them and began to answer their questions.  They weren’t entirely satisfied (as we are also not), but Jesus admits that even He does not know the exact time.

The warnings are the same as we’ve already read, “See that no one leads you astray,” and “See that you are not alarmed with what is coming.”

Jesus adds more information about their time of persecution and apostasy. “They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death (James’ death was coming soon!), and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.  Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. Because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Then Jesus told them WHEN the end would come.  Not a certain date or even year, but … “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Jesus warns them about the “abomination of desolation” spoken about in the prophet Daniel (9:27 and 11:31) – another one coming who will be like Antiochus Epiphanes, only worse.  And during his time, “False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”  Jesus told them not to be deceived.  The whole world will see Him at His coming in power. His glory will flash like lightning flashes from east to west.

The fig tree offers an illustration.  When the leaves appear, you know the fruit will follow soon after.

Noah offers another illustration.  Jesus says, “As it was in the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  In those days, before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark. They were unaware until the flood came and took them all away.”

Jesus cautions them, “Don’t be like the wicked servant, who, when his master went away for a time, began to do evil. He beat his fellow servants, instead of providing food for them; he began to eat and drink with drunkards, using up his master’s goods selfishly. 

“When the master returns … ‘He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites in that place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

.

Whoa.  Okay,  I know the disciples were confused, but the message of Jesus was clear. 

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be fooled.  Don’t turn aside from the work I’ve given you.  Endure persecution and death.  Be faithful, and you will be rewarded in the end when I return.”

.

And, really, that’s how it is for US today!