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. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Today is YOUR opportunity to stretch forward and be an example to follow. What is your Observation and Action today?
Observation: I see Jesus saying He is going to gather His elect, that they will be rescued and redeemed and reunited with Him. I see that there is a glorious ending of this story and a glorious beginning of a new story for them.
Action: Jesus, I am often pessimistic about the future, negative and fearful. Worse, I often debate the details of what You have said here (end times scenarios, election, etc) without considering the meaning. Today I will focus on that meaning without debating. I will allow that meaning to counter my pessimism and fear. I will trust that however it happens, it will happen, trust that You are going to gather me and everyone I love to be with You. May it be soon!
Where there is a carcass the vultures will gather.
You can tell a lot by what someone attracts. Something dead and rotting attracts vultures, something colorful and sweet attracts bees.
What am I? Who am I attracting and what am I feeding them spiritually?
Father,
Help me know who I am, help me be a source of goodness and blessing and not a source of rotting carrion.
Thank you for your insight. I think that is a fresh/active way for me to look at this verse and apply it.
Lord help me too to attract with honey from your holy spirit enlightened in me and not MY rotting actions.. I will look and trust in you.
Enjoy todays blessings!
Observation: I like to think that I won’t be one of those who are mourning when Jesus returns. I would hope that I will rejoice when the trials and temptations of this life pass away. But to be honest I am hooked on some earthly things, and I will mourn their passing away.
Action: It would be better if I mourned their loss now, i.e., think differently and let them pass away. I can think of at least two things that I would love to see pass away now–judgment and gossip. The process of thinking differently about those things has begun, no need to wait.
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.
observation: better is little with certainty than much with speculation. last night a couple brothers and myself got to meet someone in the midst of his lostness and lead him to receive the love and grace of Jesus. it took some intentionality and commitment since he was an “atheistic – pagan,” per his self description. he was intelligent and deflective and had an ample supply of theological smokescreens when it came to Jesus. It was like he took what he was here there and everywhere. what it came down to was whether the grace of God offered to him right now in this moment would be received. the grace of God was well illustrated as one of the brothers had purchased his meal and drinks earlier. when it came down to it the grace in hand was more valuable than all the scattered knowledge.
action: today i will remember to simply come to where i know You are at rather than run all over the place while not receiving.
Great news!
Angels are singing God’s praise. Thank you Pastor Art for sharing.
Observation: I see that You have taken the guess work out of Christ’s return and for this I am grateful!
Action: Until You come again I will trust You and do good. (Ps 37:3.)
I will be careful not to look showy with no substance. I will focus on what and how much I can accomplish, and quit worrying about my image. Help me, Jesus, I need it.
Praise you Jesus – your words will never pass away.