Our paragraph topic is: (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 11.
Christ continues to talk about the destruction of Jerusalem and how life would end. He knows what the Father wants. He knows the anger and the frustration of the Father. So many times the Father has been merciful and patient with his creation. He has waited centuries for mankind to become the family, the people, the community of love and understanding that they are capable of becoming. Yet the world tempts and taunts the people to do evil, to be led astray from the love that the Father has for his people.
Christ tells the people, pray, that they do not have to experience the great tribulation that comes in winter or on the sabbath. For on those days such destruction will be seen as man has not witnessed since the beginning of time nor will be. Jerusalem will be torn asunder. Many will suffer. There will be much pain and death. When you see the signs do not turn back, run for the hills for there will not be time to save anything except yourself. Christ tells them had those days of destruction not been shortened no living creature would be saved: "But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
All is not lost. The elect will save some. For their sake the world will not be lost, all living creatures will not be destroyed. Thanks be to God that there are those who are chosen. Thanks be to God that there are those who meet his favor, who are special to him and worth saving from destruction. They are the ones who save mankind. They are the ones who show the best of who we are. They are the ones who do not yield to the temptations of the world, who do not fall prey to the traps of evil.
We all are just human, weak and frail, struggling daily, attempting to know his will for us in this world. We yield to temptation, but do we get up, ask for forgiveness, and repent of our sins. Seeking forgiveness and repenting is our salvation. Try and try as we might, we must continue to fight the struggle to live the life of love and trust and faith that Christ has given us to live. And believe that as long as we believe with all our hearts and minds that he is our lord and savior and that we will be saved. Believe that those days will be shortened, and we will be part of the elect of 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.
