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: 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: 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.