Where Are We Looking?

N.T.#267 "Where Are We Looking?"

March 26, 2024 

Matthew 24-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Yesterday, I was out at our farm, looking for my cats to feed. Then I looked up and into the field. There were 9 deer running and jumping the fences. Had I not been looking there, I would have missed such a wonderful sight. Where are we looking as believers in Jesus? Is our focus on the world or is it on Jesus?

Many of Jesus' words in this chapter and the next chapter refer to the future time of the 7-year Tribulation that follows the church age and precedes the Millennial kingdom when Jesus Christ reigns on earth a thousand years. The disciples asked the Messiah what will be the signs of His coming and the end of the world. (verse 3)

Jesus gave six signs of the times, the signs of the end, signaling His soon return:

1. Widespread deception by an increasing number of false Christs. (verses 4-5) Many have been led astray from the Truth into false religious cults. There is only one Truth, Word, and Way to heaven-through Jesus Christ. Let us not be deceived, for there are false prophets, false teachers, and false messiahs.
2.  International disputes will intensify among the nations. (verses 6-7) We can expect massive world wars among the kingdoms of this world. The political and economic structures will be dragged into the wars. Rumors of wars will occur, too. We have experienced those in the past and present. 
3. Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, as well as other disasters, will take place in various places. Starvation and diseases will add to the misery. Crops and livestock starving, drying up of water sources, result in a lack of food, water, and electricity. Lately, we have had floodings and large amounts of snow, plus fires here in our country.
4. Believers will experience severe persecution from those who hate Christ. (verse 9) Those saved after the church is raptured out will be killed, hated, and martyred for their faith in Christ. The Antichrist and his wicked empire will rule under Satan with evil.

Doesn't this inspire us to share the Gospel so other will join us in the rapture, not having to experience this horrible time?

LET IT GROW 

          5. Many supposed Christians will defect. (verses 10-13) False followers of Jesus will show their true colors by following the deception and denying Christ under the threat of bodily harm. They will turn away from the truth, betray their fellow believers, and show hate instead of love toward the brethren. Phony followers of Jesus will be weeded out. Those truly saved will endure to the end by the power of the Holy Spirit.

            6. A worldwide declaration of the Gospel will be spread and salvation in Jesus Christ will be proclaimed everywhere. God may send and use angels as messengers of the Good News. Revelation 14:6-7) God can work through the 144,000 converts from the 12 tribes of Israel. (Rev. 7:1-8)

[Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights on Matthew 16-28]

I know this has been a downer, but we need to be informed of what is to come. Otherwise, Jesus would not have explained it to His disciples and us. May we not be deceived. 

The only sure way to keep from being deceived is to focus on Christ and His Words. Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Those events will happen, but be sure you are one of those raptured out of here before the Tribulation.

LET IT GO

Father, our life is in Your hands.

Use us for Your glory to tell Your love story.

May we serve a Risen Savior that is alive in the world today.

To You be the glory forever and ever!