[:en]Our Daily Scripture – 2/17/22[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  MATTHEW 24

Bible Verses:

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (Matthew 24:7-8)

“ Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.  For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24-23-24)

“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.” (Matthew 24:27)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35)

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[b] but the Father only.  For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:36-37)

“ Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)

“ Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)

SIGNS OF THE END OF THE AGES (vs. 1-35)

  1.  Many will come in His name claiming He is the Christ to deceive you.
  2. There will be rumors of wars.
  3. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.
  4. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
  5. God’s people will be hated and persecuted.
  6. Many will lose faith in God.
  7. People will betray and hate each other.
  8. False prophets will appear and deceive many people.
  9. People grow cold without love.
  10. Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the world.
  11. False Christ and false prophets will appear and perform great sisns and miracles to deceive the elect.
  12. People will say: “There He is, Here He is”/
  13. Sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.
  14. Stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

The Son of Man will come in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.  He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call to gather his elect.

Take the fig tree as example.  As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, it means that the time is near (vs. 32-34)

THE DAY AND HOUR UNKNOWN (vs. 36-51)

During the days of Noah, nobody knows anything until the flood came.  Similarly, no one will know when the Son of Man will come.  Therefore, keep watch (v. 42) and be ready. (v. 44).

LESSONS:

  1.  Do not be deceived (v. 4) – Let the Word of God and the Holy Spirit enlighten you.
  2.  Do not be alarmed (v. 6) – Political disturbances and natural disasters are part of world history.  Remember tha tGod is still on the throne and in control of everything.
  3. Stand Firm to the end (v. 13) – Preach the Gospel to the lost and hold on to His faithfulness.
  4.  Believe in His Word (v. 35) – Let His unchanging Word be your light in this dark world.
  5. Keep watching and working (v. 42) – The Lord will be coming soon.  Continue your ministry and let our master find you doing when He returns.

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