PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 24:29-35
What do you sense Jesus saying to you in this passage?
“When you see all these things, you know that it is near.” (Matthew 24:33)
By ‘it’ I think Jesus means “the end” (vv.13-14), when Jesus returns.
Yet it is a bit confusing because He refers to “this generation” (v.34).
He seems to be describing both Jerusalem’s destruction, and the very end.
In a sense, all times of distress through history are birth pangs.
Previous wars and crises are anticipations of the final day.
The war in Ukraine, and in Gaza, the unrest in Haiti, and elsewhere.
These are all signs, meant to shake us and wake us up.
Our world is unravelling, good and evil are in conflict.
We see signs of it today, both in the church and the world.
In a sense, every generation is seeing “all these things”.
Am I hearing Jesus’s call to stand firm in His gracious love?
Is the polarization and division around me getting my attention?
Now is the time to live WITH, LIKE and FOR Jesus, in His love!
May Jesus find me walking in His love when He finally comes!
Lord Jesus, I am seeing the signs of the battle in the church and in the world. Now more than ever, I need to be bold and firm in knowing and showing Your gracious love!