Moment in the Word

Matthew 24:6  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
 
When I was a child, my parents suddenly took me and left Missouri to live in Idaho for a year. Always wondering about the abrupt move, I realized one day that our trip coincided with Russia's Cuban Missile Crisis. Escaping one catastrophe during my youth, I have lived long enough to revisit the likelihood of global nuclear war now in my old age as Russia invades Ukraine. Thus, more than ever, Jesus' words are again coming true, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
Last week, I visited a local McDonald's and listened to an individual say, "We're about ready to be taken out of this world."
I responded, "Yes, we're leaving but not when most people think (Matthew 24:44)."
I am afraid the individuals might have been uncomfortable with my response; however, many people have failed to realize that certain sequenced events must initially occur before Christ can return as outlined by St. Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5.
First, a large part of the modern Church will become apostate (vs. 3). Second, the Antichrist will declare himself to be God (vs. 3-4). Only then will a remnant of Believers be removed from this world following the Resurrection at the very last day (John 6:39-40, 44, 54). Due to the dangerous current misconception that the Redeemed could vanish at any moment, the Church is largely unconscious of this false assurance and universally unprepared to face what's actually coming, whether those Believers are morally apostate or not. This spiritual stupor was portrayed by Jesus' parable of the Ten Virgins who all fell asleep regardless of their lamps' condition because they totally lost track of time (Matthew 25:1-13). But Christ still explained what clearly awaits.
Continuing in Matthew 24, our Lord said that as global conflicts increase, shortages will grow, but these hardships are only the beginning of difficulty for the Church (vs. 7-8). As the secular world suffers adversity, sinners will express their frustration against God by persecuting Believers (vs. 9). Consequently, many Christians who never expected to experience hardships will become disillusioned and betray each other to protect themselves (vs. 10).
In future days, dishonest deceivers will tell people whatever they want to hear instead of what God's Word plainly says (vs. 11). As deception proliferates in the desperately gullible Church, most members will become jaded and indifferent to God's vital interests (vs. 12).
Irrespective of the trying times ahead, Christ still requires His followers to be faithful to the very end (vs. 13). No matter what occurs, we have the enduring commission of preaching the Gospel to the entire world. Only when we have accomplished that task will our work on earth finish (vs. 14).
The Antichrist will arrive (vs. 15-18), and the Tribulation will occur before the final days are mercifully shortened to avoid universal extinction (vs. 19-22). A "Secret Coming" theology will spread on the eve of stark cosmic events (vs. 23-26), but Jesus said to beware and not believe the lie (27-29).
Only when God's predestined plan ultimately concludes, will Christ appear from Heaven after the last trumpet sounds to raise the dead and gather His Church (vs. 30-31).
So, no matter what happens, don't be discouraged or abandon your faith because we still have a job to do, "Don't get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don't give up." Galatians 6:9
 
Content Paywall Trunction: 
Free

Howell County News

110 W. Main St.,
Willow Springs, MO 65793
417-252-2123

Comment Here