The Lord says, "My people, stay faithful till the very end. Stay faithful no matter what you see around you in this world. For many in the world, their hearts will grow cold and their hearts will turn away from Me. But as for you and your house, stay faithful and look to Me in times like these. I will know how to save you and I will know how to deliver you. Your future is in My hands and I will know how to secure your future."
Indeed, the Lord knows how to secure your future, and only in Him (and Him alone) do you find true security in turbulent times like these.
Therefore, let's not give up looking to Him and trusting in Him, even when you see many around you are giving up hope for the future. Stay focused on Him no matter what! Keep your eyes set on the Word of God and pray in the spirit often. WORD and SPIRIT. These are your spiritual food and spiritual drink to sustain you, whatever happens in the future! Till Jesus returns!
Matthew 24:3 (NKJV) says, 'Now as He (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"'
Question 1: "Tell us, when will these things be?" (i.e. the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem)
This has already come to pass in AD 70, when the Roman soldiers destroyed the temple in Jerusalem - just as Jesus said would happen.
Question 2: "And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (i.e. the second coming of Jesus)
This, of course, has not fully come to pass (as of now), as we await for His coming again. But the sign of His coming has been spoken of by Jesus, as written in Matthew 24:4 onwards. You see, the literal fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in turn sets the tone for the rest of Jesus' prophecies in Matthew 24 to be fulfilled, before His coming again.
Let's continue with Matthew 24:4 onwards, and see what Jesus said, as He answered the disciples' Question 2.
Matthew 24:4-5 (Expanded Bible) says, 'Jesus answered, "Be careful [Watch out] that no one fools [misleads; deceives] you. Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ [Messiah],' and they will fool [mislead; deceive] many people."'
Jesus warned that many would be deceived as they anticipated His return. There have been many times in the history of the church when rash predictions were made regarding when the world will end (and when this or that will happen), but many of these predictions never came to pass - causing great disappointment, disillusionment, and falling way. Jesus warned us to be careful. No matter how human predictions failed, never allow yourself to be affected. Look To Him, and Him only.
In Matthew 24:6-7 (Expanded Bible), Jesus said, "You will hear about wars and stories of wars that are coming [rumors/reports of wars], but don’t be afraid [alarmed]. These things must happen before the end comes. Nations will fight [rise up] against other nations, and kingdoms against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat [famines], and there will be earthquakes in different [various] places."
In the midst of any great war, great famine or great earthquake, it is natural to believe that the world is coming to an end. But Jesus said there are far more specific signs that would indicate His return, and He would describe these further in the coming verses.
In Matthew 24:9-11 (Expanded Bible), Jesus said further, "Then people will arrest you, hand you over to be hurt [persecuted; tortured], and kill you. They [The world; all nations] will hate you because you believe in Me [you follow Me; My name]. At that time, many will lose their faith [turn/fall away], and they will turn against [betray] each other and hate each other. Many false prophets will come [appear; arise] and cause many people to believe lies [deceive many]."
Jesus has said that before His coming again, there will be persecutions against God's people, and many will fall away. And not just that, many will also fall into the deceptions of false prophets.
People of God, prepare yourselves therefore. Stay strong in WORD and SPIRIT, as mentioned earlier. Let no one deceive you, and let no one pull you down into the 'mud'. That is why it is so important to meditate on the Word of God and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in you will lead you, teach you, guide you, and even make a way for you in times like these. So, fear not!
In Matthew 24:12-14 (Expanded Bible), Jesus continued, "There will be more and more evil [sin; lawlessness] in the world, so most people will stop showing their love for each other [the love of many/most will grow cold]. But those people who keep their faith [endure; stand firm; persevere] until the end will be saved. The Good News [This Gospel] about God’s kingdom will be preached in all the world, [as a testimony] to every nation. Then the end will come."
In spite of more and more evil in the world, and the hearts of many growing cold, Jesus promised that before the end comes, the gospel of His kingdom will be preached in all the world - to every nation. Let us also do our part to spread His love and spread the gospel of His kingdom in times like these. In times of darkness, we are the light. In times of hopelessness, we bring hope. Persecutions (of all kinds), false prophets, or even deterioration of the society would not be able to stop the spread of the Gospel of His kingdom.
Prayer for today: "O Lord God, teach me and show me Your way in a turbulent time like this. Help me and guide me as I stay faithful to You till the very end. I look to You and put my trust in You, because You are my only hope in a time like this. You are my Savior and my Deliverer, and no one else is. I hide under the shadow of Your wings and I take refuge in You. I surrender my life and my future into Your hands, knowing that only You can give me true security in my life and in my future. In Jesus' name. Amen."
