24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?”he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
Kathy Nelson
Blue Mountain Community Church – Walla Walla WA
Observation: Before Jesus’ return there will be many whose heart turn cold. Their faith will not stand the test of persecution and trials. Their love for God will die.
Action: Love is difficult and yet easy. Wickedness will ebb and flow. When it increases do I question God? Does my heart grow a little cold? What appears to be rampant wickedness can make me question who he is which puts into question who I am. I choose love. Even when all hell seems to break loose, I will choose to love God. Not because I understand what is going on around me; not because it is easy, but because I can as a daughter of the living God. Lord, help me to keep the fire burning within my heart for You.
Lord, when I pass through the fire, help me to hold on, when I pass through the water, help me to hold on. Let your grace see me through. Amen.
Observation: Jesus’ words here don’t fall in line with the prosperity gospel. Frankly, their kind of frightening.
Action: When I’m tempted to believe that suffering is a sign that God has abandoned me, I can be assured that it’s really a sign that He is near. This helps me to not lose faith, and to hold fast to the faith.
Observation: No matter what evil occurs on earth, God You are in control and are seated on Your throne of might and mercy. Thank You for this word today.
Action: I choose to pray and love God and His people.
observation: my observation of your daughter Kathy today. what a courageous declaration.
action: my action is not only to imitate the courageous declaration of Kathy, but to declare such courage and support to those whose battle leaves them in battle with feeling, believing and holding close Your love. I speak identity and truth and victory and faith into this battle right now. Let me be an encourager when the battle rages.
Observation: Jesus said people would hate me because of my belief in Him and would persecute, maybe even kill, me. I don’t want to be hated or persecuted, so I resist what Jesus says here and wonders how I can avoid it.
Action: Lord Jesus, You were persecuted for me. You endured hatred for the Kingdom. Forgive me for being unwilling to do the same. Like the disciples who questioned You here, I haven’t really known what is going on, what Your Gospel requires of me. Now that You have explained it, I recommit myself to it and to, as the sister pointed out, the spirit of love which fuels it. Help me do so, I pray.
Observation: vs 8 & vs 12. My daughter just went thru birth pains & I am a proud grandma of a leap year baby girl. New birth brings new hope , but in this passage the birth pangs brings a warning of the end of the age of grace. A time when people will give up on hope & forget to love. Jesus gives a call to action.
Application: we must be aware of false prophets, be ready to flee & pray that it is not during winter. I must always keep my thoughts on the end result of these birth pains… Jesus’ kingdom here on earth. Thank you Lord for warning us.
Last verse — See I have told you ahead of time.
Jesus warns us of the evil to come. He also gives hope for person who remains strong in faith. But, he also reminds us that he has told us. We can prepare for the deluge. He is always with us to the end of the age .
Lord – give me strength, wisdom and faith.