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.
26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
Jim Shields
Sanctuary Ministries – Concord CA
Observation: I understand I am traveling through my life (v.14) having received certain abilities from the master (v.15). My perception of what He has bestowed upon me is coloring how I feel about Him. Either trust because I am happy with my blessing (v.21) or suspicion and fear of Him because of His perceived mistreatment of me(v 24-25).
Action: Let me sit in Your presence and let You pour out Your Love upon me. Help me to see with Your eyes who I am to You. Wash away my fear and give me trust of Your purpose for my future. Don’t let me leave until I see You as my Lover and Provider.
Observation: I feel like a time traveler, appearing like a mist upon the earth for only a short time (James 4:14). Many Heavenly time travelers have gone before me in previous earthly ages. Like theirs, my relationship with God is eternal but my time on earth is not. Sooner or later my earthly time will end and I will be caught up to Heaven.
Action: Don’t worry about the how/when my departure will happen, just love the ones God has put in my life now. Cherish every moment, don’t worry about what will happen tomorrow or the next day. Better still, don’t worry at all.
observation: the gospel of the kingdom has much to do with endurance (v13). this is a much needed and not much welcomed word to many who believe the good news is just the easy and happy stuff.
action: i will speak into the hard places, and receive into the hard places the good news of endurance that is needed today as we seek Your coming into those hard places and in the world for that final vicory
Endurance is a good word for what tests people these days. Work, kids, supporting aging parents all stress people out, more now than ever. Jesus brings rest but we have to stop and let him. Something important will not get done if we stop, but what he has is more important.
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’
Matthew 11:28