QT 4/1/2022 Matt 24:23-30, The return of Christ will be very clear

Matthew 24:23–30 (ESV) — 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

 

NOTE: Jesus now answers the second question concerning signs of the end of time. Jesus' coming will not be secret. He will not be hidden until his manifestation. It will not be invisible. One, it will occur near the end of the tribulation with many supernatural signs such that all the earth will know and all the earth will mourn. Two, those who are left will unmistakably see Christ returning on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The clouds of heaven is a common illustration of God's Army, his angels, although the literal interpretation clouds is easy to imagine as well. Looking at Revelation, it will be his Army of Angels and us -- believers who were raptured prior to the tribulation -- who will return to stop the world's Armies from completing the destruction of the Jews. At that time, at least after some cleanup, we will have the marriage supper of the lamb, and the setting up of Jesus' 1000-year rule on earth -- the millennial kingdom.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I doing all I can to make people aware of the coming tribulation judgment? They may not believe, but when it happens, they will know, and it may help them come to salvation before it is too late.

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to communicate the truth of the gospel to all those who would listen. Help me to find creative ways of sharing. Help me to be bold. Help me to love others in such a way that it causes them to ask me of my faith.