Jesus called out the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees and mercifully states how He longs to gather them close to Himself but they were not willing. (Matt 23).

He then walks away from the temple leaving it forever behind in His earthly ministry. (Matt 24:1).

The disciples point back to the grandeur of the temple, said to be one of the most amazing structures ever built, to which a somber Jesus says, “I say to you not one stone shall be left here upon another” (Matt 24:2). This prophecy would be fulfilled 40 years later when Titus defeats Jerusalem and the temple is dismantled stone by stone.

Jesus then sits down at the Mount of Olives and the disciples ask Him about the End of the Age. At this point, most of our Bibles include a bold heading for the words that perk our attention —“The Tribulation”.

Even those marginally attached to Christianity have heard about the Bible’s prophetic description of the great time of distress that ushers in the end of days.

Theologians debate it all but some things are clear. We are to take notice when we see certain signs indicating the day is drawing close.

Jesus says, there will be a rise in false teachers and many will be deceived (Matt 24:5). He says, there will be wars and rumors of wars (Matt 24:6), famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places (Matt 24:8).

We are seeing so much of this today, aren’t we?

Jesus goes on to say, Christians will be hated and persecuted (Matt 24:9).

He says many will be offended and betray and hate one another (Matt 24:10), and many will be deceived by false prophets (Matt 24:11).

Matthew Henry comments, “ Those that have treacherously deserted their religion, shall hate and betray those who adhere to it, for whom they have pretended friendship.”

We see this often todayin those who are “deconstructing “ their faith. They have not only left the ways of God but mock and betray those who adhere to a biblical worldview.

Jesus goes on to explain in His answer about conditions leading up to the end times that, because lawlessness abounds, the love of many will grow cold. (Matt 24:12)

It’s important to understand that Jesus does not say it is persecution that causes the love of many to grow cold but lawlessness.

Spurgeon said —Here is something to tremble at: ‘Because iniquity shall abound,’ — that is worse than pestilence; ‘the love of many shall wax cold,’ — that is worse than persecution. As all the water outside a vessel can do it no hurt until it enters the vessel itself, so outward persecutions cannot really injure the Church of God, but when the mischief oozes into the Church, and the love of God’s people waxes cold, — ah, then the barque is in sore distress.”

When the church compromises with the evil of this world, no longer adhering to a biblical worldview —love for what is right, and true, and better will grow cold. And people will fall away.

Oh, how we are seeing so VERY much of these prophetic words of the Lord.

Friend, may we understand the times but may we also be encouraged that Jesus told us exactly what would happen and the One who sees tomorrow also holds today.

Let’s hold tight to Him and remember He will be with us all the way home! He told us that too (if we skip over just a few chapters, Matt 28:20).

readMatthew

kimjaggers.com