St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 28; The Body.

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 10.  

What is truth?  Christ is telling his disciples truths they can rely upon before the last day.  They need to know.  They need to understand what will happen when things start to go awry.  Fear will come upon the people, and many will not know what to do.  Many will panic and create lies and theories that suit their own thinking.  But Christ wants to strengthen those who will listen and believe his words.

We believe in what we can see, what we can touch with our senses.  These are the truths that we rely upon to help us survive.  Christ tells us truths to help us know when the last day is coming, great signs and wonders, false prophets, tales of Christ appearing in different places.  These are all truths that will happen that the people can see and witness with their senses to know and not be fearful of what is happening.  He tells them another truth that they know:  "Wherever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together."  

They have seen this truth.  They know this truth.  They believe this truth.  They trust this truth.  They understand this truth.  They can take comfort in knowing that once they see this truth that there is meaning in what they see and believe.  Christ has told them.  The world has given them proof of it and they can believe him and his words because he has called upon what they know and believe. 

What do you know and believe today?  Will you see the last day?  Will you be alive when it comes?  Will you see the great signs and wonders that are to come?  Will you experience the tales of Christ being called in different locations?  Or will your transition take place before this time?  No one knows the time or place when it will happen.  We only know that it has been given to us that it will happen.  It has been given to us to believe or not to believe.  It has been given to us to expect the worse or not to expect it.  It has been given to us to prepare for it or not to prepare for it.  It has been given to us to pray for his help that we may be worthy to receive his grace or not to receive it.  The choice is ours to make.  Where are you?  What do you believe.  What is your truth? 

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: 27b; The Son of Man.

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 9.  

What are we looking for?  What do we search for each day of our lives?  Is it love?  Is it happiness?  is it money, a good job, wealth, success?  Is it peace of mind?  What is it that we want from life that makes us tick?  If we had lots of money would that fulfill our desires?  Would power to do what we want, make us content?  Would the ability to fulfill our sexual desires when and where we wanted, be enough to make us happy, satisfied, pleasured?  We see others with many of the things that we wish we had, that we desire to have, that we strive to achieve in this life.  What do we really want?

Some are fortunate enough to have the things that we desire.  Many are less so.  And it is those few who have, those few we look up to, with passion in our hearts, that we wish to have the same lifestyle they have.  Yet only a few will achieve that life.  Only a few will reach that top.  Only a few will be chosen to have the riches that they see others with.  The many will strive but fall short of reaching that goal.  

Christ told his disciples that life will not always be the same.  He told them that there will come an end to life when all will be destroyed.  He gave them signs to look for, told them what wonders would happen, spoke to them about people who would become false prophets in order to lead many astray.  Yet there would be no secret meetings, no special conferences, no general sessions that only the few would know about.  The end would come for everyone to see, for everyone to know.  He told them, just as the lightning comes from the east and shines even to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  

He came in the beginning as the son of a carpenter, the son of Joseph and Mary.  Yet he came that man would have life, a second chance at life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only son as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind.  Christ came once to forgive sins; he will come again to end the sins of the world.  What do you want?  Do you want the riches that the world has to offer now, or do you want a second chance at eternal life?  In the end there will be no haves and have nots.  All will see, all will know, all will understand that he is the one who gives life to the world.  

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: 27a; The lightning.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The sign of the last day) Part 8.  

How is it that we have these words from Christ and yet do not understand their meaning.  Their literal meaning is plain to see but what do we comprehend from their figurative meaning?  Is there more to understand?  Are we missing the truth of what is being said?  Christ often spoke in parables.  He said: "To him who has shall be given, and he shall have abundance, but from him who does not have even that which he has shall be taken away." 

Do we have?  Or do we not have?  That is the question that we should ask ourselves.  Can we understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven that we may have abundance?  Abundance where?  Here on earth or in heaven.  Which do we want?  Which do we desire?  

Christ tells us:  "For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines even to the west," the same will happen when he comes on the last day.  All will know and see, as they see the lightning coming forth.  He will come forth for all to see and know.

There will be no hidden mysteries, no secret meetings no press conferences, no announcements, all will know, and all will see what is plain to see as the lightning in the sky.  His coming will be on the last day.  He told his disciples, and he gives us his message now for all to know and see.  Those who desire to know will see and believe.  For some have and some have not.  And for those who have they will have abundance.

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: 26b; In the Chamber.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The sign of the last day) Part 7.  

He has given us all the signs and signals to look for at the end of days.  We know what to expect.  It is written for those who seek.  Do not be fooled by the fake shows that we see today that may appear real.  There will be many that will lead us astray.  He has told us so.  He has given us all the knowledge that we need to survive the deception that will come.  

Christ tells us in his own words, handed down through the disciples, what to expect.  Do not be deceived, he tells us.  Do not be misled.  They will tell you that he is in the desert, do not go there.  They will say to you: " 'Behold, he is in the inner chambers,' do not believe it."  We Know how he will come.  We know how he will appear.  We know how he has told us that he will come on a cloud with his angels for all to see.  So, it is not for us to rush to judgment to see him when we know that he will appear for all to see and not in some place for only a few to see.

We are his children, and he is our Lord and Savior.  From him and through him and with him we have our life, eternal.  We are one with him as he is one with the Father.  For those who love him life without him is meaningless.  He is the source of all our happiness, all our joy, all our peace, all our grace.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all that you have given us.  

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: 26a; In the desert.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The sign of the last day) Part 6.  

He has told us beforehand what to expect when the last day comes.  He has told us what to look for on the last day, what the signs will be, what will happen, who to believe and who not to believe.  Christ has given us all that we need to know.  Believe it or not.  It is written for all to see, for all to read, for all to know for their own knowledge.  The words have been spoken from the mouth of spokesperson of God.

Christ came that we might believe that he came from the Father.  He came so that we would know that there is one true God above all other gods that we might think or believe.  He gave examples.  He showed miracles that no other person before him had completed.  He cured the lepers, made the lame walk, healed the sick, raised the dead, forgave sins of those who transgressed, and he challenged the rulers of the day to stop the corruption.  Yet many did not believe, and evil was well engrained in the rulers and the people.

Jerusalem will be destroyed.  The last days are coming.  Great tribulation will be upon the people.  He has told them beforehand.  These were the words of Christ Jesus to his disciples letting his disciples know what was coming in the future.  He wanted them to be aware of the corruption they could not see now that would lead to the destruction later.  If they tell you that Christ was coming, "Do not believe," he told them.  There would be false prophets, and false christs.  There would be all kinds of false signs in order to lead many astray.  Be careful of what you see and what you hear, he told them.  "If therefore they say to you, 'Behold, he is in the desert,' do not go forth."

Each day be watchful.  No one knows when the end will come.  Only the Father knows of that day and of that time.  So, each day, rise, and watch, for the signs as though you were expecting the end to come.  Know that time is limited, and no day is given to you as eternal.  Expect not to live one day as though it were the same as the next.  For we know not when it may be our last.  Christ calls and we must go, weather we want too or not.  He is our Lord and Savior who paid the price for our sins.  He it is who gave us new life if we choose to accept it.  He will come to call us, and the last day will come.   

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: 25; I have told you.

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 5.  

What does Christ say to us today?  Watch out!  Beware!  Look out for these things to happen!  Listen for the false prophets for they will attempt to mislead.  There will be great signs and wonders.  Great tribulations will occur causing fear and disbelief.  These things must happen, but they will not be the end of days.  They will only be the signs leading up to the end of days.

You will know when the end of days has come.  You will see the truth of what Christ has spoken. The things he has said will happen when the end of days comes.  Why? As he has said:  "Behold, I have told it to you beforehand."   

Indeed, the word has been spoken from the mouth of Christ Jesus who is the living word of God himself.  God the Father knows all, sees all.  He has given the words to Christ to speak in the world so that all will know the truth of what is to come.  Those who believe will have the knowledge of truth.  Those who do not will suffer the trials and tribulations of the world as it attempts to deal with and accept what is happening on the last day.

Faith is the foundation upon which our belief is built.  It is supported by the living word giving us by Christ.  The disciples as they lived their lives, spread the word throughout the land during their stay here on the earth.  They built up the foundation of the church that we reside in today.  But the church is just a physical structure wherein we live work, play, worship, and find our fellowship with each other in love and charity.  It is a spiritual, physical dwelling place for our physical beings just as our physical bodies are a physical dwelling place for our spiritual being.

The last days will come as Christ foretold.  Pray that we are not here physically to experience it.  Pray that our time has come and gone and that we have transitioned into the spirit living with him in his kingdom before that day.  He has foretold it.  It is coming.  Let us be prepared. He has foretold 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 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: 24c; To lead astray

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 4.  

When you read about the prophesies of Christ, it makes you wonder if any of it is true.  Nothing has taken place up to now that would indicate that his statements have happened yet.  We have not seen great signs or wonders that would make us doubt what we believe or change or minds from those beliefs.  Yet this is the Son of God who's making these predictions. 

He is telling those during his time, and even those of us today, to beware the signs of the last days for they are surely coming.  He says you will surely have great signs and wonders, false christs and false prophets, people calling out christ in every corner of the earth, but that will not be him.  He will only come in one shape, form or fashion; on a cloud with his angels so that every human can see him.  He says beware that the false signs and wonders are there: "So as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect."

So, what do we know.  We must be watchful on a daily basis.  We must be vigilant to know the truth of what is real and what is false based on what we hear, what we see, and what we know to be the truth.  There are many ways that false information is being spread today through the media.  We know that it can and has been used to spread untruths for political power and gain.  God only knows what other reasons it is being used for to manipulate the public.

Christ said that he would not leave us alone, that he would send us an advocate to help us and guide us every day.  Then let us use and call upon our spiritual guide to assist us in our journey.  Let us pray that he is with us every minute of the day to keep us on the path of justice and peace.  Let us walk the narrow path that we might remain within God's grace.  We are his people, and he is our Father, our provider, and our protector.  May we walk in this life in his grace and finish it with the love and peace that he gives us so that we may transition into his kingdom with the richness of his eternal grace.

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: 24b; Great Signs and Wonders!

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 3.  

How will we know?  How will we know when the last day is coming?  Christ tells us that there will be false christs and false prophets.  He tells us to be mindful of these.  But we have those today: great prophets in our churches and in the public who predict the future of our lives.  They say that tomorrow there will be a great financial crash or that we must do this to protect ourselves.  They predict that the sun will have a dramatic burst that will affect our entire electrical and digital way of life.  All will return to darkness.  They say that climate change will cause the oceans to rise, increase the global temperature, cause extreme changes in the weather patterns, etc.  There are many predictions coming that they say signswill affect the way we live or even destroy our way of life. What do we do?

Christ tells us about these things to come.  He warns us of the prophets and the false christs and what they will do.  He says: "And (they) will show great signs and wonders."   "Come follow me, I will show you the way.  See, I will show you signs that will lead you to safety. "   This is what Christ tells us to beware of.  Those who would deceive us, those who would mislead us for their own selfish purposes of power and greed.  Look closely at who you follow.  Ask questions of those who you believe in.  Know the truth of who you are in Christ and be not led astray.

He came to give us life, a different kind of life.  He opened the door for us.  He left his church to help guide us along the way.  He gave us his written words to read for ourselves that we may know the truth of who we are in him.  And he sends his spirit from the Father to be with us every day, to strengthen us along the way.  We are not alone.  He is with us, in us, beside us, part of us, one with us.  We are one with him, if we choose to be.  The choice is ours to make.  Open the door.  Let him in.

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: 24a; False Christs!

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 2.  

The last day is approaching, and we do not know when it will come.  Christ, however, is telling his disciples and those who will listen and believe what to look for, what to believe, what they will see as the last day approaches.  He wants to warn the people.  He wants them to know what to expect.  He wants them not to be caught off guard as the thief comes to rob and pillage the people of their lives.

The last day will come without warning to those who do not know.  It will come unexpectedly for those who have not paid attention to the signs.  It will come as a shock to those who have ignored in disbelief what was shouted from the rooftops that this day was coming.  But Christ warns, beware of the scams and the tricksters who will attempt to mislead.  For he says:  "For false christs and false prophets will arise."  

Be aware of what is coming at the end of days, he says.  Christ tells us that there will be imitators.  There will be false prophets.  There will be soothsayers and people speaking in tongues.  Beware of what you hear.  Beware of what you see and believe for the falsehoods will be masked as truths to mislead one to believe other than the truth.  One must question what is real and what is false based upon the spirit that is given us from Christ.

The end times will challenge us.  The end times question our faith, our hope, our belief in the one true God.  It will strengthen us or weaken us.  It will enlighten us or darken us.  It will add to us or take away from us that which we have not.  For the end times is the final battle for that which is given us by Christ, and it is through him that we will be able to survive it.   

He came that we would have life more abundantly.  And it is that life that he has given us the opportunity to have freely through his sacrifice.  The end times will challenge our knowledge of our life and determine if we will become stronger or weaker through that knowledge.  For knowing who we are in Christ helps us understand our true selves and that knowledge helps us withstand the challenges we may face.  Our life will grow and shine with that knowledge and reach full potential when we become fully aware of who we are in him.  We are one in him as he is one in the Father.  All praise and glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

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: 23; Behold, here's Christ!

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 1.  

We don't think about the last day.  Why?  Probably because we don't believe that we will be around on that day.  We will be dead and gone before it comes around, or so we think.  Who knows when it will happen?  Christ is telling his disciples that it will happen and what to look for.  He is warning them of all the wrong things that will happen that may lead them astray.

This is the paragraph of signs.  It is the paragraph to his disciples then and to believers today of what to know when the last day comes.  It is important to know for all.  We do not know when that day will come.  It may be tomorrow, or the next, or next week, or next year.  In our minds, in our consciousness, we do not consider it happening, but Christ has given us the prediction of the coming of the last day.  And this is what he tells us: "Then if anyone say to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or, 'There he is,' do not believe it."

Don't believe what you hear others say to you, Christ tells us.  Don't believe the rumors and the lies and the scandals that will come from the fear and anxiety of the coming of the last day.  There will be many false prophets and false rumors floating about to lead many astray.  Do not believe.  Do not follow.  Do not be led astray by those who would use you for their own selfish desires of power and glory.

Two thousand years ago Christ warns those who believe in him and the Father who sent him, of the end days.  He told his disciples so that they would know.  He told those who would listen and those who believed.  He laid the foundation for his church that his work would continue into the future for those who did not know him, those who did not see him, those who did not hear his voice but who would believe in his words.  These are the elect, the chosen ones who believe in him and know the truth of his teachings.

He came to give life and to give it more abundantly.  Anyone who believes in him and repents of their sins will be saved.  He gave his life that we might have life, if we choose it.  The choice is ours if we want it.  The life is ours if we know it.  Today, tomorrow, next week, we can have it if we know it.  It is within us.  The light of life comes from Christ.  He is the Savior from which we receive life from the Father, the source of life.  Ask and you shall receive.  God is rich in love and forgiveness for each of us who 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 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: 22b; For the Sake of the Elect.

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.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 22a; Saving living creatures.

Our paragraph topic is: (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 10.  

Again we have a look into the wrath of God.  In his anger in the past when he destroyed the earth before with the rain, his anger was complete.  40 days and 40 nights nonstop the rain filled the earth covering the entire planet with water, leaving no living creature alive except the chosen family of Noah.  Since that time, we have not seen nor heard of such natural destruction happening upon the earth.

Yet Christ makes his prediction to his disciples of the coming destruction of Jerusalem in which there will be such as man has not seen or heard of since the beginning of the world.  The wrath of his father is complete and unforgiving, and it is coming upon the city of Jerusalem.  He is telling the people to pray that they do not see this destruction.  For he tells them:  "And unless those days had been shortened, no living creature would be saved." 

So Christ is telling his disciples and the people that all life would be destroyed.  He is saying that all life on this planet would be eliminated and only plant life would be left.  What a sober thought to consider.  A second time in history mankind has been considered for extinction by our God.  What does that mean?  What are the consequences of end of life on this rock?  Are we meant to exist forever or does life end at some point in the distant future?  What is life?

We are born, we grow, we learn, we live in this ever-changing world, we grow old, and at some point in our lives, we die.  Life, however, continues on, it does not end.  Christ, however, is saying, in that time in the life of Jerusalem, it was considered that life on earth would end completely.  

Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.  He came and paid the price for our sins to free us from death.  We die individually, daily, but we live in him because he gave us life, if we choose to believe, in him.  He has life because he is of the Father and the Father is life.  We have life within us because Christ has given us life through his sacrifice if we believe in him.  Though we die physically, though the whole world ends, we continue to have life because he has given us this precious gift of life from the Father.  He loved us even before we knew him.  What can a man give in value equal to the value of his eternal life?    

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: 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.