St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 10a; Those who leave.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 4.  

It was like a movie.  Christ was foretelling the future and the disciples were visualizing it all taking place before their eyes.  Christ seeing what the Father was seeing and knowing what he knew walked through time as all these things were happening.  It was like he was standing still and time was fast forwarding around him.  He could see and understand all that was happening.  He could stop, reverse, go from one point in time to another, move from one place to another to see and hear all that occurred at that point at that place in time.

And he spoke to his disciples about all that happened.  Reading a book only gives a general idea of what happens and is incapable of describing in detail what is happening.  But if you are there at the time and place that an event took place you are able to give detail information that would take many pages to describe.  This is why Christ wanted to tell his disciples what would happen because he was able to see first hand in detail the events that would take place.  So he told his disciples after all the tribulation and their deaths, he said:  "And then many will fall away."

Christ could see the great increase in the number of new members coming into the church.  But after the church suffered torture and death of the disciples, many of the so called believers would turn from the church for fear.  They did not have the same belief, the same hope, the same faith, the same spirit as those who were first to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  And so as the persecutions began to spread the members began to scatter for fear of same.

Today we live in a different world where we do not have religious persecution in most of the free world.  However, in some parts of the world religious persecution is still practiced.  Freedom to believe and practice your choice of religion is not allowed in those parts of the world and must be hidden and practiced underground away from the public.

Most religions as a whole are free to practice in the open, free from persecution.  But there is also internal persecution or pressure from within our society as a whole.  Ask a person to attend church with you and you might get push back or even disassociation.  We evangelize everywhere in an attempt to bring new members into our churches.  This is what we are given to do by our religious leaders, to go out and carry the message to others so that they can become new members, new believers. 

Christ came to spread the good news.  He went from village to town talking about the kingdom of heaven because the people did not know during those times.  They knew that there was a God but did not fully believe in life after death and the kingdom of heaven.  He came to show us the truth of who we are and to demonstrate to us the truth of our Father in heaven.  So today we have witnesses to the truth.  We have knowledge of the truth.  We have faith and trust as to the truth of his words.  Today we are the children of the light created in his image.  Ours is the kingdom of heaven if we choose to accept and believe in the word.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 9c; For my name's sake.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 3.  

The Bible is but a short story of what happened some two thousand years ago.  We live our lives today and can imagine the multitude of things that can happen in a day's time.  But to think about all the things that were happening during the life of Christ in a day's time and to have all of that written down would be immense.  Yet there they were, the disciples, walking with the Lord our God, talking and being in his presence.  It must have been the joy of a lifetime.  We only hope for what we desire to have in our future.  They lived in his presence in the past.

One can only imagine the effect he had upon their lives, their being, their souls, during his stay here on earth.  To walk with him, talk with him, touch him, feel him, hear his voice, then to see the torture and sacrifice he made would have been unimaginable.  But even more unbelievable would be to see him again after death and to know that he was alive again, that death had no power over him.  What power and majesty that must have given those who were witnesses to his glory.  And he told them: "And you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake."

We think today of the honor and prestige of working and being in the presence of men and women of power such as presidents and kings, and ceo's, billionaires, etc.  We seek to be like them to attain traits that they have so that we might become like them.  There is but one God and one Lord of all and no other.  There are powers and dominions in heaven and angels and saints but only one God and one Lord of all.  

Christ came and walked among us.  He spent time with mankind.  He loved us so much that he gave up his kingship and became like us.  He took up physical form that he might be with us.  And the disciples and many others had the opportunity to be with him during his stay.  But that was not the end of the story.  

He came that we might all have the opportunity to be with him, to walk with him, talk with him, hear him, see him, feel him, know him.  He came and opened the door for each and everyone of us to have that chance to be with him as the disciples did, if we choose.  The choice is ours.  All we have to do is ask him to come into our lives and believe that he will.  God is our Father.  He gave us life.  He loves us and wants us to be with him.  Come!  The door is open.  Let us go home and be with our Father.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 9b; Put to Death.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 2.  

The disciples are all sitting around listening to the things that Christ is recounting to them of the events to come as though he was telling them a bedtime story.  Their minds intently absorbing all that is said without understand fully the meaning of how it will impact their lives.  It is almost as if they are in a dream listening to him speak not knowing what he is saying but taking it in for later reference.

Christ spoke to their souls.  He spoke to things that would happen in the future.  He spoke of things that they did not completely understand.  Yet they listened, they heard, they remembered, they recalled all that was said and put to written word what they witnessed, saw, and what was said.  The spirit works in ways that they did not understand yet it was within them and came forth from them for us today.  He told them they will deliver you:  "And will put you to death."

And death was the word that brought them back to reality because it was something that they all understood.  They lived it daily.  They saw it regularly.  They knew it at the hands of the Romans frequently.  It was something that brought both anger and fear.  Anger because it came at the hands of an outside invader and fear because no one wanted to suffer the brutal consequences of death by Roman torture.

This was the way of life during the life of Christ.  The people did not know or believe in life after death.  They did not completely believe in heaven and the God of their ancestors.  They read the Torah on Sundays as part of their ritual and heard from their elders but mostly were forced to follow the Law by the scribes, the elders, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  Christ came to change all that.  He came to bear witness to the truth, to open the gates of heaven, to allow all the waiting souls to enter, to pay the price for the sins of the world.  He was the sacrificial lamb, the innocent one, the one born without sin.

Today we live our lives in pursuit of happiness.  We seek to have those things and those ones in our lives that will give us pleasure and joy and make us feel good about ourselves.  We care not about others as long as we are satisfied in our own world.  We seek to surround ourselves with like individuals of the same mindset to create a circle of friends that make up our world.  And as long as our world is complete we are happy.  Death is the final goal in life and time is the gate keeper.  And when that time comes the door opens and we must enter whether we are ready or not. 

So life ultimately is about a choice.  We have so many years to come to a knowledge and to make a decision based on that knowledge of who we are.  Christ came that we would have the truth of that knowledge.  He came that we could have life and have it more abundantly.  For life is temporary here and permanent, eternal, there.  Which we choose is up to us.  Death is only the doorway to the truth.  Christ awaits our choice.  He has open arms for those who love him and want to be with him for eternity.  The choice is ours to make.  Make the choice to accept his open arms of love.   

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 9a; Deliver you to Tribulation.

Our paragraph topic is:  (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 1.  

Christ has shattered the dreams of his disciples concerning their precious Jerusalem.  He has given them a vision of the destruction that will take place with all the beauty and wonder that has taken years to build.  They wanted him to see what they saw in the beauty and majesty of Jerusalem through their eyes but all he saw was death and destruction.  So he had to open the eyes of his disciples so that they would be able to understand what was taking place and what would happen in the end of days.

But before the end would come they, the disciples, needed to know the part they would play in all of this.  He opened their eyes and told them what would happen so that they would not be led astray by all the fear that would flood the land.  He wanted them to stand fast during the storm that would come.  But more than that he had to let them know what would happen to them.  Christ told his disciples:  "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation."

You see, they did not know.  They did not understand.  Christ had not been sacrificed yet.  He had not suffered yet.  He had not risen yet or been glorified.  He had not ascended into heaven to his father yet and they had not received the Holy Spirit.  So the idea that they would be delivered up to tribulation was new and shocking to them.  They knew that they were with him and he would protect and provide for them as he had always.  They knew that he had the power to do so because they were witnesses to the many miracles he performed.  So their minds were at ease when he told them so.  Yet this was something new to them that they would suffer hurt and pain, sorrows and oppression being delivered up to the powers that be.

Is this the fate that we follow if we become disciples of Christ?  Will we be delivered up to tribulation?  Will we suffer for being his followers?  What price will we pay just to be a follower?  What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?  What does it mean to be a Christian?  We go to church on a regular basis, we practice Christian principles, we pray, we read the Bible, we give tithes and alms, we help our brothers and strangers in need.  We try to follow all that Christ has given us through the church that he left here on earth.  

We believe that he is the son of the living God and that he will return one day to reign over all the earth.  We believe that there is life after death and that there is a heaven and a hell.  Our hope and faith is that we will attain heaven when our time ends here on earth.  God is merciful and we pray that he will hear our prayer and grant us eternal life with Christ Jesus. Amen.  

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 8; Beginning of Sorrows.

 Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 12.  

We can read between the lines.  We can understand the sign of the times.  There was much more being said than what was written in these short few lines of text.  It all started out with the pride of the disciples with the beauty and grandeur of the Temple grounds of Jerusalem.  They wanted to show Christ all the wonderful majesty of what Israel had built.  They were proud to be Jews, proud to be a part of what their religion had built.  But Christ saw beyond the surface, underneath the beauty.  He saw the true nature of the foundation of what the nation of Israel was built upon and how it was falling in decay.

They could not see what was happening right before their very eyes.  The disciples could not understand how the joy and majesty of their beloved nation would fall into decay.  So Christ had to open their eyes and show them what was happening, show them what was to come and what would be the ultimate outcome of the beauty they saw.  He wanted them to know so they would not be led astray like so many by the forth coming fear that would take hold of the people.  So he told them all the things that would take place.  And he said:  "But all these things are the beginnings of sorrows."

There was more to come.  More pain, more suffering, more unnatural events, more deaths to come that would cause the people of Israel to run from their belief in the one true God.  They would search for reasons, meaning, answers, search for causes that would satisfy their beliefs only for a moment until the next disaster occurred.  They would follow this leader or that one, anyone that had an explanation to the why and wherefore of what was happening.  

Was the end coming?  Can we stop it from coming?  What do we do?  Do we offer gifts to a god or sacrifice to appease it?  What can we do?  Does the government have a solution to all that is happening?  Can they stop the problems?  The people will be in a panic and will not know what to do or where to go, who to believe or who to follow.  Leadership will be in a panic also without any viable solutions.  It will be doomsday for all.

Do not be led astray by all this.  Hold fast to that which has kept you safe.  Believe in the Lord and he will protect and provide.  We are his children.  Christ has already given us his words to guide us during those times of sorrows.  We know what will happen.  We know what will come.  We know not to panic and not to be led astray by the fear that will sweep over the land.  He is our rock and our salvation.  He is our place of refuge in the midst of the storm and there we will find peace.  Be strong.  Be safe.  Keep your faith.  Trust in what has been given you.  Know that he is with you always and he will see you through. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 7d; Earthquakes.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 11.  

Do not be led astray.  Do not panic.  Do not follow others in their fear to escape what they believe is the coming doom.  For they do not know the truth of what you know, what you are given, the wisdom and knowledge that the Lord has given you.  Christ told his disciples beforehand what would happen, so they knew what to expect.  They had some idea of what was coming and how to deal with the unknown.  They were at peace.

He told them there would be rumors of war, that nations would turn against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms.  He told them that there would be pestilences and famines coming, so beware.  He also warned them:  "And earthquakes in various places."

So these would be the events they would look for, the events they would see that would give them the indication that maybe the end was approaching.  They were the witnesses to the truth of his words.  They were the scribes to what was spoken by him of what was to happen.  The disciples are the living witnesses of what is to happen at the coming of the end.

Has it happened already?  If not when will it happen?  Will we know?  Can we stand by these words of wisdom spoken by Christ written by the disciples?  Do we believe in these words?  Do we believe what is written of the coming of the end and will we as readers be led astray?  The words are written for all to read for themselves.  Do you know the signs?  Do you believe that they will come during your time?  I pray that if they do you will be ready.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 7c; Pestilences and Famines.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 10.  

This was not just an ordinary conversation that he had with his disciples.  Christ had to tell them the details of how this would happen.  He had to let them know what was coming so they would be prepared.  Knowledge would be the key to fighting against the fear that would spread from not knowing what was coming and how to prepare.

To keep them from being led astray like others Christ had to let his disciples know what to do.  He had to tell them what was coming and what they needed to do in order to not be led by the winds of despair.  He told them:  "And there will be pestilences and famines."

Where are we today?  Did we get the message of yesterday?  Did Christ tell us about the coming of the end?  Is this a message for us today also?  Are we having pestilences and famines, wars and rumors of wars, where kingdoms are against kingdoms?  Is the end near?  What can we expect today?

What do our leaders say?  Do they have a solution to our problems or is it just more of the same political rhetoric that we have heard before?  What do we do today, what solutions do we have today, who do we turn to, what side do we take, where do we go?

For those who know there is peace.  For those who believe there is love.  For those who understand there is trust in the will of the Father and his protection.  His will be done.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 7b; Kingdom against kingdom.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 9.  

It must have been a bleak picture that Christ painted for the disciples.  He wanted them to understand the totality of what would happen before the coming of the end.  It would not just be in their area, in their region but all over the world, where destruction would take place.  The people would hear the words and become very fearful of what would happen.  

Many would despair.  Many would loose hope and give up their lives.  Others would follow leaders who would come proclaiming they had the answers to the future, proclaiming they knew the way from destruction.  False prophets would come leading many astray as Christ foretold. He told his disciples, do not be led astray for:  "Kingdom against kingdom." 

In the time of despair and chaos all will be lost.  Not many will know what to do or how to survive the impending doom.  Only those who have the faith and the spirit of the Lord will know that he is with them and no harm will come to them.  The Lord will protect those he loves, those that are his children, those that know him and love him.

Even now in this time of confusion and chaos God is in control.  He has a plan for those who know him.  Our job is patience and steadfast trust in his will for us.  Everyday we can see his will working in our lives if we are patient.  Little by little we can see the miracles coming to life in our lives.  It is easy to get impatient but we must constantly remind ourselves that his will be done and not ours on earth as it is in heaven.

We have a purpose here on this earth.  What is your purpose?  What is my purpose?  We each must ask God what is it that he wants us to do for him.  How can we please him?  How can we show our love for him by doing something for him with our lives?  He touched me to show me his love when I was in darkness and did not know the way.  He filled me with his love that I knew him from no one else.  I write now to share that love with you that you may know that he is there for you also, waiting for your call, waiting for your cry, waiting for your need for his love for you.  Call him and he will come.  Cry to him, he will hear you.  And when you least expect it he will be with you. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 7a; Nation against nation.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 8.  

Christ continues to tell his disciples about the destruction that is to come.  He does not want to fill them with fear but he would rather that the word come from his mouth than from the mouths of scandal, spread by anyone who has added words to embellish the tells of destruction and add fear to the minds of those who would hear it.

The disciples must know.  They must understand what is to happen.  They must remain calm in the eye of the storm because Christ is with them and he has told them of the coming doom.  They are his witnesses here on earth of all that he has said and done, all that was prophesied, all that was foretold.  They are the ones who will carry the message of hope and faith in the one true God.  This is why he is telling them:  "For nation will rise against nation."

The prophesy is written.  It has been foretold.  It is there for all to see, for all to read, for all to believe if they choose.  The choice is theirs.  One cannot say one did not know for it has been there for two thousand years.  Maybe it will be tomorrow or the next day or next week or next year.  Who knows.  The question to ask is are we ready when it comes.  Have we prepared ourselves for that time and place to accept who we are with our Father?

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 6d; The end is not yet.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 7.  

It was like a horror story they were hearing.  Destruction upon destruction, evil events coming to pass in the near future that would tear the world apart and the end of the world would come.  They wanted to know.  But Christ had to prepare them before telling all that would happen.  The disciples must be prepared.  Their minds, their curiosity, their anxiety were raised to the point of high expectation, but it had to be brought back to reality in order that they would not be led astray by fear.

Christ was coming to the end of his journey.  His time here on earth was almost finished.  It was now up to the disciples to take over and continue the tasks he started.  They were his followers.  They were his students.  They were the witnesses of all that was said and done by the master.  They will be the ones who would receive the spirit of Christ to carry on the message of hope and love.  But as he told them:  "But the end is not yet."

More was yet to come.  More was yet to be revealed.  More destruction, more evil, more hardship, more sorrow, more pain, more suffering, more death.  More was yet to come before the end would come and Christ would return triumphant.  The disciples needed to know some of what would happen but not all.  They had not received the spirit and their souls were not ready to accept what was to come.

Are we ready?  Are we prepared to accept what is to come today, tomorrow, anytime.  Have we made our peace with our Father, repented of our sins, asked of his forgiveness?  Or is that something that we will do later at the last minute when the world comes crashing in?  

I thought so myself.  I was so busy chasing after the golden ring that I did not have the time to stop and repent of my sins.  The things that I did were necessary to survive and thrive in this world.  I did not do enough, I thought, to get ahead.  I needed to do more.  I needed to cheat more, lie more, play the game more, be more aggressive, steal more, do anything and everything I could to get ahead like others.  

And when I crashed from my failures he picked me up and showed me that I was not a failure.  He showed me that I was his precious child that he loved from the beginning.  He told me that the things that I sought here on earth were nothing compared to the things that he had prepared for me in heaven.  I am already rich beyond my wildest imagination.  I am loved beyond any love that I can find.  The peace that I might find here is nothing compared to the peace that I know through him.  I have new life, now and nothing can take that from me.  I am ready, today, tomorrow, forever.  My soul is at rest.  May your soul know peace and be at rest.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 6c; These things must happen.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 6.  

So they are given line by line item by item of the things that will happen before the end will come.  Christ points out all the things that will happen, in their time, so they will know what to expect when they hear of these things and they will not be alarmed as others.  They will not panic.  They will not show fear.  They will be at peace.

He is preparing his disciples for the great movement of fear and anxiety that will take place by the evil that will come forth.  He told them:  "For these things must come to pass."

There must be wars and rumors or war.  There must be anxieties and fears, and panic to move the people to do unspeakable things that they would not do ordinarily.  For they will not think rationally when they are afraid and fearful.  They will not think clearly when fear rules their thoughts.  But as far as the disciples are concerned, they will have clear vision, clear understanding, clear knowledge of what is to come because Christ has given them the wisdom to know what is coming and what is to happen.

He has been with them in times of hardship and pain, in times of trouble and sorrow, in times of hunger and in times of impending death.  Each time he has chastised them not to be afraid because he was with them and will be always.  Even though he left them and returned to the Father, he sent his spirit to fill them with his presences to let them know that he is still with them.  So even though certain events must come to pass the disciples were not afraid.  They knew that he was with them and would protect them and keep them from harm.

And if it was true for them it is true for us today, his children.  He would not leave us behind without his protection, without his guidance, and without his wisdom to help us along the way.  He is the way, the truth, and the light that leads to life eternal.  All we have to do is follow his lead, keep his light burning within us, and love each other as we love ourselves.  We are all one family, all made in his image and likeness.  Praise be to God

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 6b; Do not be alarmed.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 5.  

Many will be led astray by false prophets proclaiming themselves as the Christ.  This is what he told his disciples so that they would know when they heard someone proclaiming to be the Christ  that it was not he.  They would hear many things to come.  Many would get excited by what they would hear but he warned his disciples not to listen to all they would hear or see.  He warned them not to believe all they would hear others talking about because many would speak on what they would hear others saying and repeat the scandal of others.

Christ warned them not to be alarmed, not to be swayed by what they would hear.  The words would spread like wildfire over the grassland causing many to panic.  But the disciples were fore warned not to panic, not to be afraid.  Christ told them: "Take care that you do not be alarmed."

They must become the foundations during the storm that others can turn to for support.  For many will be blown away by the rumors and the panic of what they hear and see others doing.  Those that know the disciples and follow the teachings of Christ will know that the disciples have the foundation of his knowledge and his teachings and that nothing will harm them until it is their time.  They are his pillars here on earth for the church that he established and nothing or no one shall come between him and his church.

So there may be rumors and false prophets and teachers proclaiming themselves to be the Christ but he left instructions as to the how and the wherefore of his coming.

Let no one deceive as to the end of time.  It is written for all to see and believe when the end of time will take place.  Pray that you are not here to see or experience it. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 6a; Rumors of wars.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 4.  

Christ knew that they would be fearful.  He knew that fear would enter into them and take over their emotions leading them away from the path that he wanted them to be on.  He loved his disciples.  He had spent all this time, the last three years, teaching and preaching, and walking and talking with them to letting them know how much he loved them, how much he was as human to them as they were to him, even though he was their God and Savior.

Yet, he had to prepare them for the future.  He had to prepare them for the fear that would attempt to overtake them if they were not prepared.  So he told them as much as he could to get them ready for what they would face, what they would hear, what they would see, coming.  He told them:  "For you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars."

Many have experienced war and know the consequences of what it means.  Death, and famine, and ruin, and escaping from fear of capture, fear of torture or imprisonment and fear of forced labor.  Women being brutalized and raped, children killed, elderly being tortured for sport.  All manner of evil existed during the ravages of war.  So when Christ spoke of war and rumors of war the disciples understood the horrors that came to mind.

We live in a society today that is far removed from the ravages of war.  It is not in our daily experiences to know the meaning of it.  We do not live on the streets where we see or hear of bombs or explosions going off to let us know that we are in a war zone.  It is not in our lives, in our communities, in our towns or cities.  War is something that is far removed from us in another world on another continent.  We hear about it on the news at 6 O' Clock or 11 but not as we look out the window of our homes in our neighborhoods.  We do not know it personally.

But if Christ was telling us today then are we going to experience war in our community, in our city, in our towns?  What if his words to his disciples were meant for us today that we would hear and know of war and hear of war coming to our area?  What would we do?  How would we react?  How would we feel?  Would we be afraid?  Would we fear what we heard and panic about tomorrow or the next day not knowing what was to come?  Who would we turn to for help, for comfort, for support, for protection?

This is where the disciples found themselves.  In the mist of their fears and anxieties, they knew not what to do.  Yet in the mist of all their emotions, they could find calm because they were with him, they were with the Christ, and with him they found peace.  They knew that nothing would happen to them.  They believed in him because they knew who he was.  They had no doubts as to who he was.  They had spent all this time with him, walked with him, talked with him, watched him do the things that he did with others, saw his compassion for the people, come to know that through his miracles he was the Son of God.  He was the one and only one person that gave them peace of mind, knowledge, hope, faith, and a solid foundation to stand upon for the future, whatever would come.  Let us also have a solid foundation upon which to stand in times of troubles that our Savior will bring us through.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 5b; Lead many astray.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 3.  

They were proud but now they are saddened by the news that Christ is telling them.  The disciples don't know what to think about what they were hearing.  They listened intently and take every word in as though their lives depended upon what they were hearing.  Do not be led astray, Christ tells them, for many will come and say that they are the Christ after I leave, but this will be a warning sign that it is not I.

They listen and believe all that he says.  He is the Christ.  He has spoken the truth many times before.  He has performed many miracles, raised the dead, healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, cured the lame and performed many miracles that no other prophet has done before.  He is the Messiah.  They listen intently as he tells them: "And they will lead many astray."

He wanted his disciples to know.  He needed them to hear the prophesy of the future so that they will not be deceived and misled like so many others.  They might try to tell others.  They might try to show others the truth but persuade as they might, others will be led astray.  But because Christ has foretold it to them they now know the future and what will happen.  They now know what to look for, what to see, what will happen when it comes and how to deal with the truth of what will happen.

That is something that we must ask ourselves today.  Will we be ready when it comes?  Will we be led astray or will we know the truth of what is happening before our eyes.  How will we feel?  How will we respond?  What will we say or do when we see these things happening?  Will we be afraid or will we know that we have knowledge of it foretold to us and do not have to be
fearful.  

No one wants to feel pain or to suffer.  We all want to live long lives, be happy, free, joyous, and live in peace.  We have our dreams and desires of what life should be for us, for our children, our families, our communities.  Yet life has its ups and downs and we know not when the lows are coming in advance.  Otherwise we would make every effort to prepare for them as best as we can.  But we have a heavenly father who protects and provides for us, who watches over us and loves us.  If we believe in him and acknowledge his love for us he will take care of us.  We are his children and he is our father, our creator and we have nothing to fear.

Christ Jesus came down from heaven to redeem us from the grasp of death.  We were in prison.  Locked up for eternity until he came to pay the jailor for our release.  The price was his life.  The cost was death on the cross.  The pain and suffering was nails in his hands and feet, the suffering of innocence for a charge he did not commit.  Yet he willingly gave himself up that we might have freedom, that we might not suffer for eternity, that we might know joy, and happiness, and peace.  He is our Savior.  He is our Hero.  He is our Lord.  For his passion was so great that he gave of his life that we might have life eternal. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 5a; In my name.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 2.  

Their hearts were racing and their minds were wondering what was to come.  They could imagine all sorts of possible outcomes, all sorts of disasters, all sorts of horrors to come, but they needed to know from Christ himself what was to happen.  He wanted them to know but did not want to fill their minds with such horrors that they would not be able to withstand the nature of the truth.

Do not be led astray, he told them.  Let no one come and tell you all sorts of stories to lead you in the wrong direction.  Be wary of anything that you hear.  Do not believe all that people speak of because there will be much spoken about the coming end.  He told them: "For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' "

What would we believe today?  Would we follow someone who called himself the Christ if he came to earth today and declared himself to be?  What proof would he give?  What words would he speak?  What knowledge would he have for us?  What miracles would he perform to show us that he is the true Christ?  Would we believe?  Would we follow such a one?

In his own words, in this book of witnesses, in this gospel of Matthew, Christ tells us not to be led astray.  He tells us that many will come in his name and declare themselves as the Christ.  None will be so.  For only the Son of Man will come on a cloud for all of mankind to see with awe and majesty with angels and sounds of trumpets.  And no imposter will come in such a manner except him.  So if anyone else declares himself as the Christ do not believe.  Do not be misled.  There is but one Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, son of the Father, God.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 4; Led astray.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 1.  

So they wanted to know.  Their hearts and minds were curious as to the how and the wherefore of the coming doom.  It was burning inside of them to know.  But they could not know.  They were not ready to know.  It was not the time or the place for them to know.  The panic would have taken hold and led them astray.

They were like little children who had to be protected if they were told of the boogie man without no one to keep them from harm, no father or mother, or sister or brother.  They were not ready to hear the truth of what was coming.  Christ had to prepare them for the truth.  He had to first fill their minds and hearts and spirits with the truth of who they were in him so that nothing could harm them before they could receive the message.  And in answer Jesus said to them, "Take care that no one leads you astray."

Our message today also is to take care not to be led astray.  It is easy in this world of hype, glamour, and glitz to be led astray, to be hypnotized, to be mesmerize by all that we see, hear and come to believe.  We are raised in a protected environment that our parents and guardians try to give us to put us on the right path to life.  But as we grow older we examine that path and want to change it believing that it needs to be changed to fit what we see as our wants, needs and desires.  And as we enter the world on our own we have to make our own decisions as to what is right and wrong for us, as a path to take in life which will lead us in the direction that we want to go.

Many times we find ourselves, later on in life, along a path that we want to change or that we wish we had not taken, a path that led us astray.  And in every attempt we make an effort to turn our lives around  to go in a different direction.  Christ directed his disciples not to be led astray.  He wanted them to stay on the path that he had given them, the path that makes them his disciples, his preachers and teachers of the gospel.  The church must be built and must spread throughout the land after he leaves.  It will be up to the disciples to complete his work.  They must not be led astray.

We have a purpose also, not to be led astray.  Our purpose is to choose to live or to die in Christ, to accept him as our savior, to be born again into a new life or to die into the darkness of death.  And with that choice comes the joy of living a life that he has shown us how to live, sharing the love of the new life he has given us with others that they too may know the truth of new life in Christ.  It is a joyous life, a happy life, a life of peace and love, a life of fulfillment in him who fulfills all.  Come!  Know the truth of who you are in him!

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.