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: 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: 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: 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 22, verses: 35; A Doctor of the Law tests him..

Our paragraph topic is:  (The great commandment) Part 2.   

And so they brought forward the great minds of the Law to question Christ.  These were the scholars who had studied and taught the Law down through the ages.  They knew the ends and outs of the Law.  They knew the minutia of the Law.  They knew the intent of the Law as far as man could understand the Law as given by God.  But they could not understand the Law according to the mind of God.  Only Christ had the wisdom and the insight of the Holy Spirit.

You see, they did not believe.  In the face of all that was spoken, all the miracles that were performed, they still did not understand or believe he could be the one.  They only knew that he had to be taken down because he did not belong to their group.  So they gathered together and came up with one question that they believed was the one great question of the Law.  And one of them, a doctor of the Law, putting him to the test, asked him.   

Christ had no formal training in the synagogue.  He did not attend the temple where all the other trainees were taught the ins and outs of the Law.  Yet he knew more of the Law than the masters and the doctors.  They wanted to know who taught him.  They wanted to know how he knew.  They wanted to know were he was trained.  Yet he did not reveal to them who he was and they did not accept that he was the Messiah.  They believed that he was a charlatan, a fake.  

The people knew.  The people accepted him as real.  They could believe what they saw.  They could understand what they heard.  Their minds were opened, their eyes were not blind, their ears could hear.  They could see and believe.  Would we do the same today?  Would we know the truth today if he came to us, spoke to us, performed miracles, healed the sick, made the lame walk, cast out demons? Would we believe?  Yet all that has happened and has been given to us in the written words of the Bible.  He has told us that there will be those who will come after him performing miracles in his name.  He has told us that he will only come again on a cloud with his angels for all to see.  He has given us signs to look for before he comes that we will know that time is drawing near.

Be prepared!  Everyday the thief may come.  Put on your armor in the morning and know that you are ready to face what the day has to offer.  Know that you do not fight alone that you have an army with you to guide you and fight with you in your daily battles.  Be strengthened by your prayers.  Call upon the Lord at all times and he will be your right arm.  Be patient in your needs because he knows what you need.  The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.  I am but a sinner who asks forgiveness and seeks to do his will in the hope that I may be with him in his kingdom.  May the Lord have mercy on my soul.

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 21, verses: 44a; The Broken pieces.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Application of the parable) Part 5. 

Christ continues to tell us about this parable of the vineyard and the vine dressers, how they decided to take control of the vineyard and claim it their own.  In comparison as we look back we can find similarities with mankind today.  God our Father created us in his likeness and image and called us his own.  He gave us life out of the love that was within him to share his existence with us. 

Today we claim our existence as our own, devising our life from the ooze that grew from time immemorial.  And so it is that the elders and the high priest of the Jews claim that they are the rulers of the people.  All that has been written of his coming was not recognized or understood.  Yet they are the ones who were most learned and most educated of the Torah.  They could not see.  They could not understand.  They could not comprehend the signs of the time.  So Christ told them:  "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces." 

And this became their warning, their stop sign.  Do not stand against this corner stone else you will suffer.  And this is our warning today.  Split, broken, pieces, are the results of what we will suffer in our lives.  We are meant to live a life of peace and joy and not a life of pain and suffering.  We seek to reach the top, to be like the others that we see and hear about living a life of luxury.  But in many situations we find ourselves split by pressure and pain, suffering the consequences of our own desires and passions.  Broken we find ourselves.  Wasted, lying on the wayside, forgotten and lost in our pursuit of the pleasures that this life is supposed to give us.

We have forgotten who we are.  We have lost our way.  We are influenced by the consequences of our own minds that constantly change according to the thoughts that we are given on a daily, minute by minute basis.  We are no longer in control of who we are and of our actions.  We are  led by the influences of the world.  Our thoughts tell us that we are not real.  They tell us that the life that is within us is our imagination, it is not real.  Yet Christ Jesus sacrificed his life that we may have life everlasting.

Be not broken.  Be not split in indecision.  Know that you are loved and that your Father lives within you.  You are a child of the living God, a father who provides for you, who protects you, who loves you.  The elders of old had the opportunity.  You have the opportunity today.  Seek to know the truth of who you are and you will come to see, 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.