MATTHEW 24 WARNINGS It was after the reproofs of the religious leaders as the Lord Jesus was walking toward the mount of Olives, that the disciples called His attention to the glories of the temple and all the buildings surrounding it. It must have been impressive and a point of national pride - and even religious pride. At least it was to the people He had just left off speaking to. Now the Lord gives His disciples a look into the future - and what a tragic look it is! The stones of the temple were all going to be pried apart to get the gold melted from the flames that were going to destroy the buildings. There was nothing but a heap of rubble a few years later. So, the disciples asked when the kingdom would really come and the old age be passed. God does not give us all the information we may wish for regarding our future. It would be too distracting and disconcerting for us. We would focus on the future rather than on what He wants to do in and through us at this present time. No doubt if we knew all that was going to befall this world in the time of tribulation, we would be so distraught we wouldn't be able to present the Gospel of God's grace with the joy and enthusiasm it deserves.
I was able to follow along with the disciples as I read the word of God. The Lord gave a brief overview of things that will happen and that lead up to His return in glory to take the throne of David and rule in righteousness. There will be religious confusion that will turn many away from the truth of God revealed in the scriptures. The increase of national and international confusion will be a sign in relation to the end times. The 20th century was the bloodiest 100 years in the history of the world and it is getting increasingly worse today. Civil wars are going on in many countries and international conflicts seem to be promoted by anarchists and terrorists. The prophets had foretold of famines that would come and they are in many places today. There are millions of people who live from hand to mouth in this world. The changing of weather patterns, over-grazing of animals in parts of the world that were once self-sustaining make it necessary for many to depend on outside help in many nations. There are new strains of viruses that are immune to the antibiotics that used to help preserve life. Shortage of food stocks, increasing forms of diseases like AIDS and STDs that follow the moral decay of humans are taking their toll on humanity. There is no questioning the fact that earthquakes are increasing and the devastation that follows is astounding. The impact of the tsunamis that have followed recent earthquakes has affected the world. Millions of tons of debris are floating in the ocean as a result of earthquakes but the Lord said this is only the beginning of the awful things that are coming.
Any that are identified with the Lord will begin to experience opposition that will lead to persecution. The ties that used to bind people together will be broken as the storm of human iniquity gets rapidly worse. Those who seemed like they were true and committed to the Lord and His Gospel will turn away from Him because of the pressure to conform to the way of the world. Political opposition under the deceptive reign of the antichrist will be costly to the economy of the world and the lives of those that believe the Gospel of the kingdom. We can see foreshadowing of this now in many places in the world today. The Gospel has spread world-wide. Places that were closed to it have opened in recent years and places where there has been liberty to proclaim the Gospel for generations are now starting to regulate that freedom because of pressure from those who reject its truth.
As the age draws to a close there are warnings given as to the rapidity of anti-God and anti-Christ sentiment. In less than a day changes can come over which we have no control. The time will come when people have to flee to survive. "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
The Lord Jesus gave a overview, not only of the start and course of the days leading up to the tribulation but of the tribulation itself. The time when Jerusalem was destroyed must have made the early believers think the kingdom reign of Christ was at hand. Down through the centuries there have been times when the Lord's people were sure this was the time of the return of the Lord. The devastation, the loss of thousands of lives, the uncertainty, the false messiahs all have disturbed the Lord's people in various times and places. But we really need to remember the Lord did not give us a time when He would come. Rather He gave warnings for us to be ready at all times.
Vigilance in the things of God is expected from His servants. His intention for us is that we will be busy and engaged in the work of the kingdom when He comes. His expectation is that the people of God be active and ready. The challenge to us today is not to set dates in expectation of His return, but to be busy about the Father's business with diligence. This is no time for us to be relaxing and thinking the season of sowing, watering and reaping of the Gospel harvest is over. We have responsibilities that have been given to us that we dare not leave undone. There are eternal issues at stake. There are eternal souls that need salvation and there is work in the kingdom of God we need to be doing. The consequences of our actions have the eternal life or eternal death of men, women and children in view.
When dark clouds arise in distant skies We wonder when they are going to reach here. Not all are weather warnings, which is no surprise - Some bring a much deeper and darker fear. The darkness of unrest among nations - Has a way of spreading far abroad. When there is fear and unrest in the population - Sometimes they may stop to think about God.
Coming events have a way of casting shadows Ahead of their actual arrival. There are those whose occupation is predicting tornadoes - And they warn people to flee for survival. In a similar way when people turn away from God And do not heed the warnings that are given; They will face the consequences of warnings ignored - And miss out on the blessings of heaven.
Warnings may be given relating to one's health - To doctors' advice it is wise to pay heed. Other warnings are made that affect one's wealth - And the results when we give way to our greed. Wisely we consider that "one's life does not consist Of the "abundance of the things he possesses." It is not foolish when the Spirit-strivings we don't resist And we receive the truth of God's Word that can bless us.
Times are going to get worse in the near future - To the warnings of coming judgment, we must listen. Those who are saved have been given a new nature - And the future before us seems to actually glisten. But those who will go into great tribulation Will find not relief for their souls. Those of us who possess God's salvation Need to diligently fulfill our God-given roles.
"Father God, I can see the darkness of war, famines, pestilence and all the evils that go with them are covering the world. People fear the future but they don't fear Thee. May Thy servant find some people today with an ear to hear. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."