St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 21b; Great Tribulation from the beginning.

 Our paragraph topic is: (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 9.  

Who do you believe?  What do you believe?  Would you become fearful of the prediction of destruction that you were hearing from this prophet?  Would you not know what to do, where to go, who to trust, who to seek for answers?  Christ was foretelling the destructing of Jerusalem with such horrific detail that anyone would be fearful.  Was this a trick or was this real?  His words had been real before, why not now.  What were they to do with this dire prediction?

Pray, he told them.  Pray that this destruction does not take place in winter.  Pray, that this devastation does not take place on the Sabbath.  For if that will be the case then, he says great tribulation:  "Such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, nor will be."

Such were the spoken words of Jesus Christ.  Destruction like that which has never been seen or heard of before since the beginning of time will take place if this takes place on the sabbath or in the winter.  God made it rain for forty days and forty nights and destroyed all mankind except Noah and his family.  Christ says that that destruction is nothing compared to what will take place when Jerusalem is destroyed.  Pray, he tells them, pray, that this does not take place.  Pray, that you are spared this devastation, this destruction.

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: 20b - 21a; Great Tribulation.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 8. 

The Bible is an interesting book to study.  It is a study of man's belief system.  What does mankind believe?  What belief system has he developed to order his world and make it such that it has meaning and understanding?  Here we are in Chapter 24 of the book of Mathew where Christ is telling his disciples of the coming destruction of the city of Jerusalem.  

What do we believe?   We have prognosticators today that foretell of things to happen in the future.  Scientist foretell of the doom that carbon emission is causing to the planet and what we must do to prevent the consequences of its outcome.  The flooding that will come, the unusual rains, the unseasonal cold weather that will come, all as a result of the outcome of climate change.  These are all predictions being foretold today.

But two thousand years ago no one had the scientific equipment or knowledge to foresee the future, to foresee the coming destruction of Jerusalem.  Except Christ.  Believe it or not. And he told his disciples exactly what would happen.  Pray, he said that it does not happen in winter:  "Or on the Sabbath.  For then there will be great tribulation."

Here was a man, not just an ordinary man, but one of much power and mystery.  He traveled throughout the country doing good for the suffering people.  He healed the sick, made the lame walk, cured the lepers, made the blind see, fed thousands, gave people hope of a new beginning, taught them to love one another, and gave them new ideas to live by.  He feared not the leaders and the rulers, calling them out for their sins.  Yet he knew that all this would only bring him to his destruction.  What do we believe today?

Does the Bible give us structure to live our lives in these times or is it just another book to read?  What can we obtain from the reading or the study of it?  What message does it have for us today?  

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: 20a; Fleeing in the winter.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 7.  

The tragedy of the destruction of Jerusalem becomes even more disturbing as Christ continues to paint the picture.  He tells of all the odd things that are going to occur to the people who are not aware, those who do not believe and continue to deny what may happen.  He has come from on high to bring a message to the people.  He has come from the Father to save the people, to bring forth a new beginning.  Yet few will listen, few will believe.

If love and tenderness will not move then surely fear will raise awareness.  Fear of impending doom will make people listen.  Fear of death will reach the inner most reaches of the most hardened person and bring them to some sense of reality.  Fear of loss, fear of loosing that which one has, fear of loosing the luxury of the day will cause one to take action to make something happen.  For he told the people:  "But pray that your flight may not be in the winter."

Pray that there would not be a winter if destruction comes.  Pray that they would not have to flee in the cold, in the wind, in the rain, in the ice of winter.  They lived in Jerusalem, in a warm climate.  Winter was non-existent to them.  They knew of it but not to the extent that it would cause them to fear for their lives.  They could prepare for winter by storing up food and planning to have heat in their homes.  But to have to flee during a cold, cold winter with the wind and rain and ice, would be fearfully unbearable.  That would be something no one would want to undertake.

Yet Christ was telling the people to pray.  He was telling them to pray that that would not happen to them, that God would spare them of that suffering of cold during escape from their home.  Would they listen?  Would they hear his words and believe.  They saw the miracles he performed.  They knew of the many he had cured.  They knew of the dead he had raised.  And no other prophet before him had come close to doing the things that he did.  He was the Messiah.  But what did that mean to the people?

What does it mean for us today?  We have the Bible that tells us of all the things that Christ did while he was here on earth.  We have the disciples that he left behind that established the church and taught and trained the early saints.  We have the writings of those apostles and saints to guide us in our daily lives.  We have the whole foundation of the church and the built up ministries to go by to help us live according to the principles that Christ gave us.  But what does it all mean?  

What does it mean for you and me is what we want it to mean in a relationship with ourselves and the one who gave us life.  If we understand one thing it is we have life eternal through the gift that Christ gave us.  Not life today, not life tomorrow, not life for a minute, or an hour but life eternal.  We have life beyond the end of the flesh.  And that one thing should be our waking and living focus day in and day out.  The knowledge that through Christ we are more than just physical.  We were created in the image and likeness of the Father and because he has life in him we also have life through Christ and his grace, his mercy, and his all giving 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: 19b; Those with infants.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 6.  

Infants and children, those we are, by nature, given to protect, we will do all to save from harm.  We will give our own lives that they might live.  For they are our hearts and souls and to see them suffer or endure harm tears at the very fabric of our humanity.  Yet Christ made his prediction that those with infants would suffer most because of the destruction of Jerusalem.

He spared no one the horror of the coming evil.  He wanted all to know, to become aware.  He, the gentle man of compassion, told the world that Jerusalem would suffer and see destruction.  Imagine the horror and the despair that spread throughout the populace when the people heard of his prediction.  Woe to those with child:  "Or have infants at the breast in those days!"

 Attack the defenseless and the innocent children.  Make them the basis, the foundation of the coming destruction and everyone will understand.  Everyone will believe and know the effect of what was to come.  Prepare now or suffer the little children.  Hear the words of peril; listen and learn or disbelieve and know the truth of the prediction of the words of God.

These were the words of Christ to the people and his disciples that they should know what was coming to their precious city of Jerusalem.  They were proud of their city.  They were proud of what their religion had given them.  The Jews were a proud race of people guided by the hand of God throughout the centuries.  He watched over them, protected them, guided them for many years.  So how could this man, this Christ, say that their city would be destroyed.  They did not know.  They did not believe.  They did not see the writing on the wall that was before them.  The Messiah had come down from heaven just as it had been written by the prophets of old and they did not believe.  It was all there for them to see.  It was there for them to know if they only looked.  But they were a proud people who did not want to give up what they had.  They did not want to change.  And Christ came to bring about change.

Even today we need change, change in our hearts and minds, change in our thoughts and how we live, change in what we believe.  We believe there is a heaven and a hell but we don't know it.  We do not live it.  We do not feel it in our hearts.  We are but shells that carry the true self of who we are but our shells control us and not that which is within us.  

Christ came to give us life, a new life, a more abundant life.  He came that we might not die if we only believe.  And what we believe is life that is within us that is eternal, not physical, not flesh and blood, but created in the image of God the Father.  The light of life is within us if we only believe.  The light of life is within us if we only see.  The light of Christ is given us if we only know that he is with us always.  This is the truth that is with us today, tomorrow and always if we believe. Let nothing or no one change your belief from the life that is within 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: 19a; Those with child.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 5.  

Take nothing with you.  Run for your life if you are to be saved.  Don't turn back for anything, else you loose your life for death is at your heals.  Christ delivers a dire message to his disciples and to the people about the coming destruction of Jerusalem.  Everyone, all the Jews are praising their city, enjoying the sights and sounds of its beauty.  But not Christ.  He is warning the people of impending doom. 

Those who believe are shocked.  Those who disbelieve ignore, pass his prediction off as idle gossip from those who would spread fear.  The leaders and rulers of the people are terrified that this man who has captured the minds and hearts of the people is now spreading rumors of destruction of their great city.  It means ruin for their leadership.  And most horrified are those who are with child or children.  He is saying:  "But woe to those who are with child."

Women beware that you will suffer most because you are with child!  Death and destruction will find you first and foremost because you are unable to flee fast enough to outrun death.  You will be swallowed up by the oncoming horrors of destruction.  And the women know the truth of what the prediction means because they have seen and heard the meaning of tragedy and war.  Women are the possessions of destruction and those with child are ravaged the most.

Even today we see the loss of life due to natural disasters.  And those most vulnerable are the women and children especially those with child.   Floods and fires and hurricanes and storms and all kinds of natural disasters occur around the world in places where people live that do not have adequate means to prepare themselves for oncoming disasters.  Loss of life is precious, something that tears at our hearts when we see and hear of such in places in the world.

Christ was a sort of early warning system in those days in that he was telling the people what was coming that they might prepare themselves for the event.  The same as we have today, early warning systems that give us knowledge of impending doom that we might have minutes to escape death.  Even at the clutches of death though we must prepare ourselves daily thanking God for his precious gift of life and thanking him for the sacrifice made by Christ Jesus ,on the cross, to give us new life.  Believe in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and know that the promise of Christ is yours for the asking.  Death is but a door that we must all go through to transform ourselves to the true spirit of life that Christ has given us.  Know that it is yours for the asking, yours for the receiving, yours for the keeping that no one can take away.  Take the narrow path and God 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: 18; Flee from the fields.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 4.  

Flee to the mountains.  Flee from the housetops.  Take nothing with you except your life least you die.  These are the words of Christ.  Destruction is coming to Jerusalem and all should know of the impending doom.  All should be aware of what is to happen.  

Jerusalem was a great and beautiful city.  How could this happen to it.  It was well constructed and well guarded.  Yet here was this man, this prophet, this Messiah proclaiming that it would fall and that all should flee least they loose their lives.

How could this be?  The Jews were a religious people protected by the hand of God.  He was their protector, their provider.  Had they not followed his commandments?  Had they not worshipped him according to his precepts, handed down by their fore fathers?  Why was it that this Christ was predicting the destruction of their sacred city?  What did he know?  What knowledge did he have that the Scribes and the Pharisees did not?  Yet he told his disciples and the people:  "And let him who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak."

The destruction of Jerusalem from the mouth of Christ must have been a shocker for the disciples.  They were proud of their city as were all the inhabitants and the Jews.  It took many years for it to be built.  It took many hands and lives for it to be completed.  Yet here he was proclaiming its destruction to the people.  Who would have thought or even imagined that this would happen?  But here was Christ Jesus proclaiming it will be destroyed.

Would you believe?

 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: 17; Flee from the housetops.

 Our paragraph topic is: (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 3. 

Christ continues with his predictions about the destruction of Jerusalem.  He is speaking to his disciples so that they will know of the coming doom and to the crowd around them.  This is new.  It is not heard of before.  He is the one who has brought about miracles, raised the dead, cured the sick, made cripples and the lame to walk, cured lepers.  He is the one all the people are talking about.  And now he is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem.

This new word may cause panic among the people.  It may cause fear to run rampant.  It may cause the leaders to take action to stop this talk of the destruction of Jerusalem.  But Jesus is making a prediction of the coming doom of Jerusalem and he wants the world to know of it.  He is telling the people:  "And let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything from his house."

Destruction will be swift.  It will be keen.  It will be unrelenting.  It will spare no one in it's path.  So flee when you can with only your life and nothing else, less you loose it.  Death is at your heals, one step behind you.  This is the message that Christ is preparing his disciples and the people for, letting them know how they are to survive the coming doom.  They must heed his words and flee for their lives when the time comes or slaughter will overtake them.

What are we to learn today, of this message given so long ago.  Does it have meaning for the people of today.  Jerusalem was destroyed but today it is rebuilt.  Is it due for destruction again?  The Jewish people were proud of what their religion had built.  They were a rich nation.  God provided for them for many years.  Yet they rebelled and Jerusalem fell.  Is there a message in their history for the rest of the Christian world?  Are we provided for by God?  Does he watch over us, does he protect us?  Are we a proud people because of our God?  

Christ came down from heaven to show us how to live, to be an example for us.  He was gentle, and kind and loving, and forgiving.  He gave of himself to those in need and those who believed in him.  Do not be afraid he would always say.  Have the faith of a mustard seed.  Seek the kingdom of heaven first and all other things will be given you, for your Father knows your needs.  These were some of his words to us, written for us to read and to know.  Written for us to carry with us in our daily lives that we will have his words to guide us through life.  The key to life is in his words.  It is there for those who desire to find it, there for those who seek to know it, for those who seek to have it to open the door of their life eternal.  Open yours!!  

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: 16; Flee to the mountains.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 2. 

Time was an important factor in those days.  Where you lived, and worked, meant a great deal in terms of status and well being.  Yet for the coming destruction, location was also important.  It meant whether you had time to escape the oncoming slaughter.  It meant whether you had time to outrun the danger that was coming.  It meant whether you would live or die.

The farther away you were from the center of destruction meant that you had the time to get away from it all, to outrun death itself before it came knocking at your door.  This is what Christ was telling his disciples.  Do not hesitate.  Do not stop to take worldly belongings.  Run for your lives because death was coming and it would be swift.  He told them:  "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

Jerusalem, the sacred place for the Jews, was not a place to flee from but a place to go to, a place of sanctity.  The Israelites did not believe that their city would be destroyed.  They believed that they were protected by their god.  They were a sacred people delivered by the hand of God from the bondage of Egypt to the sacred land of Jerusalem.  Why would their city be destroyed?   Why would their temple be torn down?  Why would death ravage their land when God  himself had protected them for all these years?

This is what Christ was telling his disciples, warning them of the destruction to come.  He was the Messiah.  He was the word of God come down from heaven to walk among the people as an example of the one true God.  He came to redeem the people, to show the way to the kingdom of heaven.  He came to pay the price for the sins of all that all might have new life eternal if they believed in him.  He is the key.  He is the gate keeper, the shepherd, the Lord of all.  

God the Father made him human that he might be with us, teach us, show us how to live, how to love, how to follow the commandments that we may be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Let him who reads understand.  The knowledge is here for those who seek to know.  The door is open for those who wish to find it.  His love is fulfilling for those who need.  For there is everlasting peace in the knowledge of his wisdom and love.  Come!  Peace awaits your finding.

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: 15; The Abomination of Desolation.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 1.  

He wept for the city he cared for deeply.  He wanted to protect it as a mother wants to protect her children and provide for them.  But Jerusalem would not have it.  Jerusalem was a city of its own.  It had come to power and fame to be known throughout the region for its glory.  And that image made it believe that it did not need help from the maker and provider who gave it the ground it was built upon.  How arrogant it had become in its years of progress, fame, and glory to think that it did not need its founding father. 

Christ came to the city with his disciples.  He saw their pride and their joy in being a part of the peoples that had built such a magnificent place.  He saw also the future of the city and what lay ahead, the destruction and desolation that was coming as a result of the pride and the arrogance of the city.  It became necessary for him to let his disciples know what was coming so that they would be prepared.  He told them:  "Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place -let him who reads understand. "  

He wanted them to understand the need to survive the destruction that was coming.  When the temple was desecrated by the placement of idols, it was time for the disciples to leave.  It would be time for the church to move to a new location, to take as many worshippers with them.  To stay would have meant death and destruction.  

What does this mean for followers of Christ today, for those who read?  What knowledge can we obtain from these words to help us prepare for the future that may come?  Will we have a desecration of our places of worship?  Will our churches and altars be replaced with idols of false images to worship as though they are gods?  Will we be forced to acknowledge a worldly power as our god or suffer death and destruction?  Is this a warning for us too? 

Today we live in a different world than what it was two thousand years ago.  We have modern conveniences that were not available then.  Our lives are less cumbersome, we live longer, we are healthier, have more freedom, life all around is better.  Death is not so imminent as it was then.  Christ came to open the doors of heaven to all mankind past, present, and future so that all would have the opportunity for eternal life.  And yet it is this opportunity for eternal life that we loose sight of ,today, in comparison to what modern life has to offer.  

We live as though we are given tomorrow.  And yet tomorrow is not given to us.  Death could come at an instant when we are not prepared for it.  We pray: Father, let the end not come when we are not prepared.  Have mercy on our souls.  

 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: 14c; The End.

Our paragraph topic is:  (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 13.  

They asked him to tell them of these things, when they would happen, the signs of their coming, and when the end would come.  Curious minds wanted to know what would happen.  They wanted to know details.  They wanted to be aware of the coming doom.  Little did they know that they would not see the day that it would happen.  They would be long dead and buried before the end came.  Yet Christ gave the word that the gospel of the kingdom would be told throughout the world before the end would come.

Nations would know of his words of the coming of the end before it would happen.  The disciples were the witnesses who would relay the message of the coming doom so that all would know of his words.  They would put to words his message so that all would have the opportunity to read and know the prophesy of Christ of the coming end of the world.  He told them that the gospel would be preached in the whole world:  "And then will come the end."  

We today still wait for the end.  We do not know, even though we have heard of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven.  We still wait for the coming of the trails and tribulations predicted by Christ.  Some do not believe that they will come and go about their lives as though nothing will happen.  Others have not made any preparations for its coming.  They ask no forgiveness nor seek no thoughts of the wrongs they have committed against God and their fellow man.  Yet the clock ticks and time marches on minute by minute second by second.

The message has been given to those who would listen, those who have ears to hear, who hearts to believe, who have blood to fear.  It is available for all to read and know.  Their is no excuse, no escape.  God is patient for he wants all to have the opportunity to receive his grace.  But there is a limit to his mercy.  There is a limit to his patience.  There is a limit to what he will allow to pass without his judgement.  The end will come weather now or in the future, weather for the living or for those who have passed on.  All will see and all will know of it's coming, when it is happening.  Pray for God's mercy. Pray that we may not be caught up in the storm.  Pray that his love will save us from the trials and tribulations to come.  In Christ's name pray.

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: 14b; Witness.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 12. 

And so the story is told for all to hear.  Christ predicts the future and what will happen in the end of times.  He told his disciples and those in the crowd of people who would listen, those who heard and believed.  And they told their friends and their friends told their friends and so on.  And the word spread that Christ predicted the end of times and the people were afraid.  The leaders were in an uproar because they could not have the people in such a panic.  They wanted sheep, not panicked lambs running all over the place spreading rumors about the coming doom of the end of times.

But it was Christ who foretold it.  It was the Messiah who gave the word to the people.  It was the Son of Man that came down from heaven who performed many miracles who told the disciples and the people of the trials and tribulations to come before the end of times.  The disciples feared but they knew his words were true.  Some believed in him.  Some were skeptical.  Others only partly believed.  And then there were those who just had no faith or belief in him at all.  But he said to all who could hear his words that this gospel shall be preached to the whole world:  "For a witness to all nations."

Indeed, today we have it written in stone for all to see and know when the time will come.  The gospel of the kingdom is a witness to the truth of his telling of what is to come that when it happens all will know.  All will see the prediction that was made two thousand years ago of the coming of the end.  Step by step it was told what would happen.  Step by step it was written the words that all could see and compare the truth of what would happen.  Step by step it will be known upon the conscience of mankind the truth of his words as a witness of what was said.

And it is further written in later books the detail of how this will happen.  It is further written the witness of the tribulations and woes that are to come.  It is further written in books predicted by Christ to mankind the wrath of God that will come upon those who have practiced evil and injustice against his children.  All will want to know.  All will want to see.  The whole world will come back to these words of the gospel of the kingdom in search of the truth of what is to come.  And they will know the truth of it all. 

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: 14a; Gospel of the Kingdom.

Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 11. 

And now Christ makes a proclamation about what shall be known throughout the whole world.  His disciples need to know what their tasks are, what their jobs will be when he is gone.  They are the original ones, the original witnesses, the ones who will spread the message and lay the foundation upon which he is the cornerstone.  They will spread the message of the gospel of the kingdom to all.

Very few knew of the kingdom.  Those who knew did not spread that message, it was a knowledge kept to themselves.  The kingdom of heaven was not known to the people.  It was not spoken of in the synagogues, or read in the Sunday readings.  Christ came and brought the message to the people.  He came and gave them hope, faith in the one true God not the idols that were worshiped in those times.  

He came and demonstrated with great power who he was and who he represented, the likes of whom the people had not seen before.  But the rulers did not believe.  They were afraid they would loose their power over the people.  They had to rid themselves of this Christ.  So they crucified him and hung him on a cross for all to see.  And in true power and majesty God, the one true God, raised him from the dead that all may know.  Now he sits at the right hand of the almighty Father in the kingdom.  And Christ told his disciples:  "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world."

And so it is today that the whole world knows of the kingdom of heaven that is preached in the gospel and the proclamation made some two thousand years ago is true today.  

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: 13; Perseverance.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 10.  

Christ was planting his seeds in his disciples and those who would follow.  He gave them the knowledge they needed to survive the onslaught of hard times.   He wanted them to survive the winds of fate, the coming storm.  He wanted them to have something to pass on to those who would follow after them in years to come so that they also would be strengthened by the words of Christ.  They would become the future witnesses.  The disciples were the ones who walked and talked with him.  They were the ones who lived in his presence day in and day out.  They lived and breathed the essence of holiness from Christ Jesus even though they did not realize it at the time.

The effect he had upon them did not show until after he ascended.  And even then his presence was still felt through the Holy Spirit that was given them after he ascended.  True, they faced hard times.  True they faced trials and tribulations.  True all the things that he told them would happen came true.  Iniquity abound and charity grew cold.  False prophets arose and led many astray.  Many who were weak in the faith fell to the wayside and betrayed others who stayed true to their belief and faith.  And Christ told them:  "But whoever perseveres to the end, he shall be saved."

How strong are we today?  Can we stand the test of trials and tribulations that may come our way?  Will our faith withstand the onslaught of what evil may test us with?  Will we falter?  Will we stumble?  Will we get up and continue to hold on to that faith which Christ has given us?  Or will we give in and go along with the rest of humanity not believing in what Christ paid so dearly for with his own life?  

To persevere is something that is difficult to do if it is not in you to believe.  It is easy to say but difficult to do if you have not been tested to the limits of your ability and then some.  This is what it means to persevere, to not give up, to not give in, to continue to try even with that last burst of energy that you dug up from the depths of your soul that you did not know that you had, to continue a few more inches, to still try because you refuse to give up.  That is perseverance.  

And that is what Christ wants from us, not to give up, to persevere, even in the face of hopelessness, because he is our strength, he is our hope, he is our rock of salvation that nothing should be able to shake.  And our belief and our knowledge, and our faith should rest upon this one fact that no matter what happens in our lives, come life or death, he will always be by our side as long as we are with him and do not surrender, do not give up, as long as we persevere.  May we live our lives and love according to the example that he has given us, Christ our Savior, 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: 12; Iniquity abound.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 9.  

It was a recipe for disaster.  All that could happen would happen, Christ told his disciples.  They should know what was to come.  They should be prepared for any and all outcomes during the trials and tribulations that Christ was telling them.  They were not prepared for all the things that were to come but he put the fear of what was to happen in them to test their faith and belief. 

Did they believe in him?  Did they really accept him as being the Son of Man, the Messiah?  Did they believe all that he was telling them or was this just another tale he created like so many other stories he told to the crowds?  But these were his disciples he spoke with, he said:  "And because iniquity will abound, the charity of the many will grow cold."

Iniquity, injustice, sin, lawlessness, all will abound and love for the many will cease and grow cold.  What will tomorrow bring?  What will this time in history look like?  Will there be war, famine, pestilence, disease?  What will happen to humankind?  What will become of the good qualities of mankind?  Will they cease to exist, will man return to the dark ages?  Even today these are some questions that we can ask ourselves in the present political and civil climate.

What will our God do during such a time?  Can we still rely upon his grace?  Can we still believe that he will provide for us, protect us, show us the way forward in spite of all that occurs around us?  Or should we become afraid for our lives not trusting that our God and Father will provide?

Iniquity my abound.  Lawless may increase.  Sin may become common place in and around us but all this is no reason for us to waver in our faith and trust in our Father who has given us life eternal.  We are but clay vessels in this earthly realm, waiting for the time to be called to our permanent home.  

Christ came to let us know that we are more than just human beings, flesh and blood, skin and bones.  He came to open the door for us that we would know that there is a heavenly kingdom awaiting us when we leave this earthly realm.  He came to let us know that we are spiritual beings given eternal life by the sacrifice he paid on the cross for our sins.  He came to give us eternal life everlasting that no one can take from us except us.  

So despite what is happening around us, our faith and knowledge in who we are should not waiver.  We are children of God, created in his image and likeness given life eternal through Christ Jesus.  Iniquity begone!  Sin begone!  Lawlessness begone!  In the name of Jesus Christ we command you begone!  We are the children of the almighty, ever living 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: 11b; Many led astray.

Our paragraph topic is:  (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 8.  

He told them of trials, tribulations, and hard times to come.  He foretold the future to them so they would know what would happen.  Christ knew all things and he wanted his disciples to know also.  More importantly he wanted them to know so they could prepare their followers for what was to come.  He gave them the knowledge so they could pass that knowledge down to their followers and to generations to come.  It is written for us today to know and believe what will follow.

Trials and tribulations and hard times.  These are the things that we will face as followers of Christ.  Yet we have the Advocate to help us.  We have the writings from the witnesses to tell us what happened during their walk with Christ.  And we have the words of Christ to carry with us in our hearts and minds, to keep us on the path to his kingdom.  He told his disciples:  "False prophets will arise, and will lead many astray."

Do not be led astray by false prophets of today.  There are many who would have you believe that they have the spirit of God within them and speak the truth.  One must ask oneself if this is true.  One must question what one hears and what one believes about the prophet that preaches the gospel to you.  The word is written for all to see, for all to believe, for all to know.  There is no need for interpretation.  One can understand by oneself if one desires.  One can know for oneself if one seeks.  One can find for oneself if one has a heart to know the truth of who the true God is and the love that he bears for all.

Christ came to open the door that all may know the Father.  He came to pay the price that all might have the opportunity to share in the kingdom of heaven if one believes in him and the father that sent him.  Love is the key to open the heart and the mind to the truth of who you are in him.  We are but clay vessels waiting to be born into our true selves.  To live is to die for we die everyday that we live.  And when our time comes that our clay vessels brake we burst forth into our spiritual selves be it either the light of life or the darkness of death.  

Christ awaits us with open arms.  His love is boundless.  His charity is endless. His mercy is forgiving.  His passion conquers all.  He is the fulfillment of all our needs and desires if we but believe.  

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: 11a; False Prophets.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 7.  

I am trying to imagine the stories that Christ is telling his disciples about the hardships and trials they will face in the coming months and years.  What would I think if I were there in his presence listening to the words coming from God himself through Christ to me.  After all Christ was the Word of God, the two were one being.  Would I become fearful?  Would I be afraid?  Would I not want to be a disciple anymore?  Yet this was my creator, my savior, my Lord, the one who has all the answers to my needs, the one who gives life eternal.  Why should I not believe in him and his protection if he is telling me all these things in advance so that I will know what will happen?

He is my rock, the foundation of all my faith.  I am blessed that I have been chosen to be here in his presence listening to his words.  I should have no fear, no doubt, no anxiety.  He has given me the tools I need to overcome the trials and tribulations I will face.  He has promised that he will be with me always.  He has assured me that he will send another to help and guide me along the path of life to overcome any and all obstacles.  This is why he is telling his disciples: "And many false prophets will arise." 

How will we know them when they come?  How will we be able to determine who is false and who is real?  Will there be miracles to show the difference?  Or will there be fake magic to confuse and mislead?  What tools do we have to help us make the decision who to follow or who not to follow?

Today we have many churches of many different denominations.  It seems that everyone wants to have a church or to preach the gospel to the people.  Christ told his disciples that when persecutions begin that many will fall away and hatred will abound.  Some will see opportunity to take up the mantel and proclaim themselves as prophets of God.  And today we must be careful to discern in our hearts who are the real prophets and who are the false prophets.  Beware of what you hear and what you see.  Do not allow yourself to become involved with that which is not a part of the good that is within you.  For that which is good will be turned to evil.

Christ came to show us the way to the truth and the light.  He came to open the door so that all who desire to know the truth have a way to find it through faith if they desire within their hearts to seek it.  There is an advocate that will come and be with you to guide you along the way to the truth of who you are within.  Open the door and let the light shine in.  Do not let the false prophets of today confuse or mislead you.  You have an advocate.  You have a connection to someone who loves and knows you.  Seek him and he will find you.  Ask for him and he will answer.  Knock at his door and he will open and greet you with open arms of love.  God is your father and your God 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.