During the final days of Jesus’s ministry, His disciples approached Him alone. They had questions about the future. (Don’t we all?) They said: “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3.
Do you remember His response? Jesus did not begin by answering their questions. He began with a warning:
“Watch out that no one deceives you” Matthew 24:4.
The first thing Jesus said to His disciples was to watch out, because people will try to deceive you. But deceive you about what?
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many” 24:5.
First: WATCH OUT that no one deceives you into believing He is Jesus, returned from Heaven. (It sounds crazy, but what cult leader has NOT told followers He was Jesus?)
He continues: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of the birth pains” Matthew 24:6-8.
Second: DO NOT BE ALARMED by wars. You will hear about wars, and wars must happen, but they are only the beginning. Do not assume that every new war is a ‘sign of the times,’ and we will all be raptured tomorrow.
Here is the Word of Jesus on His Second Coming: Do not be deceived by those who claim to be Him. Do not be alarmed by wars and hide in your doomsday shelters. Instead, “This is why you must be READY, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” Matthew 24:44.
After warning His disciples, Jesus told stories about faithful stewards, encouraging believers to use their gifts and talents, lead others to Christ, and store up treasure in Heaven.
Third: SERVING JESUS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANALYZING THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
Use your gifts, encourage people with hope and love, and make a difference by storing up treasure for your Father in Heaven. That is what matters most.
Read Matthew chapters 24 and 25 together, and you will notice that Jesus steers the conversation about the end times into a discussion of stewardship and faithfulness. We have a job to do. God put you here for a purpose. Let’s focus on doing the work more, and predicting the future less.
Read Matthew 24 and 25.
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