Monday: Signs of the End
After Jesus rebuked the specific Jewish leaders who rejected Him, John 12:20-26 records a fascinating request. Christ is told about Gentiles who wanted “to see Jesus” (NKJV). Yet, these Gentiles first make their request to Jews who are faithful to Jesus. Before long, something similar would happen on a much larger scale: while some Jews would reject Jesus, others would be the primary means through which many Gentiles would come to the knowledge of Him.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
How fascinating that this request would come right after Jesus told the leaders that their house would be left desolate. Truly, the old would soon give way to the new, and to that which had always been God’s intention: the salvation of the Gentiles, as well as the Jews.
In Matthew 24:1-14, what kind of picture does Jesus present both for the faithful believers, and for the world in general?
Jesus gives this answer in response to the questions about the sign of His coming and the end of the world. “Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for themselves … This entire discourse was given, not for the disciples only, but for those who should live in the last scenes of this earth’s history.”—Ellen G. White,The Desire of Ages, p. 628.
One thing is very clear in Jesus’ answer: the events leading up to His return are not pretty. Jesus doesn’t predict any earthly utopia or earthly millennial reign of peace. War, betrayal, natural disasters, a church facing persecution, false christs, and even false brethren. The most positive thing depicted here is the promise that the “‘kingdom shall be preached in all the world’” (Matthew 24:14).
| In Matthew 24:13, Jesus says that “‘he who endures to the end shall be saved’” (NKJV). What can you do to keep yourself spiritually strong amid trials that could easily wear you down and cause you to give up? We have seen this happen in others; why must we not be foolish enough to think it couldn’t happen to us, as well? |
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Jesus said, "Watch and pray lest you fall into temptation."
God wants to give His Holy Spirit to all who desire to give up selfishness and to receive His Love. He wants to give us His Spirit more than humans want to give their children good gifts.
The text in John 12:21 explains why the Greek gentile believers wanted to see Jesus. His reputation followed Him and an opportunity was made available. Jesus undoubtedly had other purposes in mind. Foremost in the mind of Jesus was the planned sacrifice that was about to take place. John 12:27-32. The grain of wheat that needed to die so that new wheat could grow and multiply. With out Jesus' death and resurrection we would not exist with a life eternal. John12:23-26
My former pastor preached that the biggest problem for Christians is to overcome temptation.
Have you heard the calls, by church leaders, to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
To pray that we continue to have channels that can be used to share the gospel message and the plan of salvation. We can see that freedom of speech is gradually being eroded away. May God continue to help us find ways to keep our candles burning, through the health message, our life styles and most importantly to reflect our moral value daily which is a transcript of God's word. To be occupied in the harvest field can keep our faith strong until the return of our Lord and Saviour.
most important thing we for get is to pray nt to find ourselfs into temptation and he is telln u and me nt to forget because he nows how bad it is to find urself in it. am sure we have experience how had it is God is good thanks
Watch and pray always and study and preach to others, we have to occupy our time; otherwise we will give up. May the Lord help us.
Esther
As dark and tragic as the last days would be it it not all doom and gloom. Among the natural disasters, religious deception and persecution of God's people the latter rain will also fall and many will be converted to the truth.
Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction.—Early Writings, 279 (1858).
There will be an army of steadfast believers who will stand as firm as a rock through the last test.—Selected Messages 3:390
There are many souls to come out of the ranks of the world, out of the churches—even the Catholic Church—whose zeal will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file to proclaim the truth heretofore.—Selected Messages 3:386, 387
Multitudes will receive the faith and join the armies of the Lord.—Evangelism, 700
Many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd.—Testimonies for the Church 6:401
These words are very inspiring and uplifting that in spite of all the doom there's hope
Hope that well be under His care and many will hear the call and respond
Thank you Jesus keep the faith
A chapter of life ended with the passing of Pastor C D Brooks
A great hero in Jesus is resting awaiting the trumpet call
Let's pray for the family
Thank you for the inspiring quotes Matthew 8:36 "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. 37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. 38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest."
We must pass the little trials before we can endure the tougher ones.
Serious thought there, Sr. Dorothy. Not many of us may pass through very tough trials like faithful Job for us to see that we have overcome.
It is the 'small' everyday things that we take for granted that will spoil all we'll have alleged to have stood for. (Song of Solomon 2:15
"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes")
A large group of christians have often been heard saying that Jesus has delayed and might never come back again.
My take has been premised on His own narrative. He said He will come back. He didn't give the date, time or year. I like to use this example, when you agree to visit a freind, it's not uncommon to specify the exact date and time, say Monday June 6th 10 am. You'll be expecting that come Monday, 10 o'clock your meeting will be starting. If for any reason he doesn't make by 10, then, 11...12..13.. you will be right to say he delayed or late, simply because time was agreed upon.
In the case of Christ, there wasn't time agreement, except a promise of sure return. This remains so. Soon and very soon expect him. As for when, leave that to Him only. He is NOT delayed.