SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. [Matthew 24:36]. Interesting, Jesus seemed to think that “these things” would happen within the disciples’ time frame [Matthew 24:34], but then He says He doesn’t know when they will happen.
Does this mean that Jesus wasn’t God? Jesus was God in the flesh. He voluntarily emptied Himself of His God-attributes: He was not all knowing or all-powerful, He was not everywhere-present. He was confined to a body and a limited mind, one that needed to learn. He spent time alone with God because that was how God taught Him. He did miracles not because He was God, but because God was with Him in His finite, human form. I believe that Jesus was God in the flesh, the Son of God incarnate. But I also accept that He chose not to exercise His God powers while in the flesh.
Speaking about the end times, Jesus doesn’t know when, but He does know how. It will be awful, it will include war, persecution, violence, betrayal, torture. Things will go from bad to worse until the day of His return. That day will not be a secret known only to a few. Everyone will know about it! The kingdom will be fully revealed and established. Those who were ready for it, will enter it. Those who refused it, will not receive it.
Things have taken longer than Jesus knew. The destruction of Jerusalem did happen in AD 70, as Jesus anticipated. But history has continued, as has the slow unravelling of this world order. Though things have gone in cycles, they still are unravelling. And they will get worse. Some people say we are in the end times now. I suspect that we haven’t seen anything yet. Comparing our ‘hardships’ in the western world to what people have experienced through history (and still are around the world), this is just the tip of the iceberg.
This world has to come to an end. It is going from bad to worse. God must fix things, or the situation is hopeless. Those who believe that things are getting better are fooling themselves, like ostrich’s burying their heads. We need to choose today which ‘world’ we want. Our choice today will determine which world we will inherit.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for promising us a better world, and inviting me to be a part of it!
Stay the course. His story is The story and many do not stay the course over time but will follow tall tales. God’s people need to stay the course no matter what is happening in their surroundings. Remember Noah?
No matter the times, God is the Ruler yet. Stay the course. There will be many who will call for my allegience. There will be many natural disasters. Sin will be rampant. There will be many voices calling for my allegiance. Stay the course. God is in control. He has promised He would return. I need to live each day as my last, looking not to my own interests but serving Him, working in His kingdom, staying the course, keeping my eyes focussed on Jesus. Help me along the Way this day Lord.
Grace and truth shall mark the way
Where the Lord His own will lead,
If His Word they still obey
And His testimonies heed.
For Thy Name’s sake hear Thou me,
For Thy mercy, Lord, I wait;
Pardon my iniquity,
For my sin is very great.
He who walks in godly fear
In the path of truth shall go;
Peace shall be his portion here,
And his sons all good shall know.
They that fear and love the Lord
Shall His holy friendship know;
He will grace to them accord,
And His faithful covenant show.