PERSPECTIVE – WHAT JESUS SAYS

With the loss of so many loved ones in the past two months, it brings me back to the thought of my own time here on this earth.  Will the Lord call me home on a day and hour appointed just for me, or will He make me a part of the Rapture? It really doesn’t matter, although it is interesting to think about.  Besides, I’m no spring chicken so either way, the timing could be close.

 

I think about what a mess the world has been in since the fall of mankind in the garden.  Those of us who have read or studied the Book of Revelation can see that we are proceeding at an exponential rate toward the end.  The Book of Revelation is full of information and mystery. The Bible tells us that all who read it will be blessed. (Rev. 1:3) Still, it can be mindboggling.  So, I like to go back to what Jesus himself said in the most simplistic way. The otherwise frightening events we see and hear about on the news melt away when we hear Jesus tell us the truth about the future and confirm we, as believers, will be ok.  Struggles with personal matters in our lives take on a new perspective. He tells us what to watch for and how to proceed. He leaves us well prepared. Here, in His own words, is what Jesus says in 

Matthew, Chapter 24.  I hope you find this helpful.

 

“Take heed that no man deceives you.

 

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many.

 

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

 

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

 

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

 

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

 

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

 

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

 

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (4-14)

 

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

 

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

 

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

 

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

 

Behold, I have told you before.

 

Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

 

For as the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even until the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (21-27)

 

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the starts shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

 

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in the heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

 

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 

Verily I say until you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (34-36)

 

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  (42)

 

Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.  (44)