QT 3/30/2022 Matt 24:4-6;7-9, Where do we stand?

Matthew 24:4–6 (ESV) — 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

 

NOTE: Verses 4-6 describe characteristics of the church age. There will be many who claim to be Christ (or a prophet like Christ) and many will be led astray. The church age is a time of many false belief systems: Islam; Mormonism; Jehovah Witnesses; etc. Also there will be many wars and rumors of wars in the Middle East, but that does not mean the end of the age has come.

 

Matthew 24:7–9 (ESV) — 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.

 

NOTE: Verses 7-9 seem to begin to answer question #3, the sign of the end of the age. The phrase "nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom" is a Jewish idiom for world war. Most war is regional and is common among nations butting up against another nation. But as the end of the church age approaches, world war among nations physically separated will be more common. This sign is one of the birth pangs and does mean the end of the church age is close. Additionally, tribulation (or suffering) will come upon believers as we near the end of the church age. Christians will be hated by all nations (some Nations (like Islamic and Communist) will put them to death). Some Christians will refuse to compromise or accept the worldview and they will suffer (cancelled; lose jobs; face ridicule for beliefs).

 

PONDER:

1. What or whom do we love more -- our lifestyle or our God? Soon, we will find out

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for shrinking back. Give us the courage to stand up against the redefinition of sex (which you created) or marriage (which you created) or morality (right and wrong, which you created) or sexual immorality (for which you created marriage).

Psalm 11:3 (ESV) — 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”