Matthew 24:11-14 NLT
I remember a few years back, several of my co-workers made a point to ask me if I was going to be at work on the following Monday. After about the third one, I finally asked if they knew something I didn't know. It was then they told me about the nutcase who predicted the exact day and time the world would end - and he said it would be over the weekend.
They razzed me pretty good about not knowing what was going on in the news. I told them I didn't bother to get my news from the world. I know about what’s going on in the world today by reading the Book. I let them know that I don’t know exactly when Jesus is coming because even JESUS doesn't know when He’s coming back - but they could best believe it would NOT be on the day or the hour a man predicts – their Saturday night plans were safe…unless of course, God decided to send Jesus on Friday… which begged the question, THEN where would they be?
Our text continues in verse 23 TLB, Jesus speaking…
Then if anyone tells you, ‘The Messiah has arrived at such and such a place, or has appeared here or there,’ don’t believe it. For false Christs shall arise, and false prophets, and will do wonderful miracles so that if it were possible, even God’s chosen ones[a] would be deceived. See, I have warned you.
“So if someone tells you the Messiah has returned and is out in the desert, don’t bother to go and look. Or, that he is hiding at a certain place, don’t believe it! For as the lightning flashes across the sky from east to west, so shall my coming be, when I, the Messiah, return. And wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.
“Immediately after the persecution of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give light, and the stars will seem to fall from the heavens, and the powers overshadowing the earth will be convulsed.
“And then at last the signal of my coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And I shall send forth my angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they shall gather my chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When her branch is tender and the leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is almost here. Just so, when you see all these things beginning to happen, you can know that my return is near, even at the doors. Then at last this age will come to its close.
“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words remain forever. But no one knows the date and hour when the end will be—not even the angels. No, nor even God’s Son.
“So if someone tells you the Messiah has returned and is out in the desert, don’t bother to go and look. Or, that he is hiding at a certain place, don’t believe it! For as the lightning flashes across the sky from east to west, so shall my coming be, when I, the Messiah, return. And wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.
“Immediately after the persecution of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give light, and the stars will seem to fall from the heavens, and the powers overshadowing the earth will be convulsed.
“And then at last the signal of my coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And I shall send forth my angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they shall gather my chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When her branch is tender and the leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is almost here. Just so, when you see all these things beginning to happen, you can know that my return is near, even at the doors. Then at last this age will come to its close.
“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words remain forever. But no one knows the date and hour when the end will be—not even the angels. No, nor even God’s Son.
Only the Father knows.
It’s in the Book. Read it. Believe it. Know what’s going on in the world around you.
Prayer:
Father,
Guard our hearts and minds to know Your Truth. Let us not be deceived by worldly fears and predictions. Let the light of Your Truth shine brightly as the world grows darker. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
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