Matthew 24 And The End Of Times
What they rarely point to are Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:14 in which He said the ultimateEnd Times sign is the preaching of the gospel to all people.
One question to be raised about Matthew 24:14 is: What exactly does it envision? Does itmean getting the gospel to every single person or earth? The term translated “people” inMatthew 24:14 is plural and thus could or should be rendered as “peoples.” In this senseMatthew 24:14 could mean having a viable Christian witness within every single ethnic andpeople group.
To be sure, whatever is envisioned, great progress has been made in accomplishing that task. The Good News of Jesus Christ is being preached today in more places around the world thanever before. Nonetheless, we still have a ways to go. At least 5,000 distinct people groups haveno viable church planting movement in their midst.
Many of the doomsday “signs” which people seize on are things that generate fear. The signJesus gave in Matthew 24:14 — the gospel being proclaimed everywhere — should do theopposite. The thought of all people hearing clearly the Good News should generate delight atwhat will happen as we approach End Times.
If Matthew 24:14 is true, then declaring the Good News to the ends of the earth is notsomething optional. It has to be accomplished. Will we be an obedient part of making ithappen?
— Howard Culbertson
Bible Verses About End Times Prophecy
And it shall be in the last days, God says,That I will pour forth of My Spirit on allmankind And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,And your young men shall see visions,And your old men shall dream dreams
For the vision is yet for the appointed time It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.Though it tarries, wait for it For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Matthew 1: 2: Jesus Relieves Our Anxieties
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
A University of Michigan study from March 31 indicated that since the onset of the pandemic, 50 percent of participants reported recurring anxiety. Nearly a third described symptoms matching clinical depression. It is no mystery why with U.S. unemployment claims approaching 20 percent and death counts delivered to us all daily by push notification, the natural human response is despair.
Perhaps your non-Christian colleague, coworker, friend, or family member needs to simply know that Jesus is a Savior who promises to ease the burden of life. I fear that those of us who are serious about theology , in an effort to avoid the dangers of the soft, watered-down American gospel of comfort and inclusivity, fall into an opposite extreme in which we neglect the tenderness and mercy of Christ. We forget to preach what Jonathan Edwards so often described as the excellencies and sweetness of Christ. Gods justice and wrath are real and must be fled, yet when we flee them, we find ourselves in the compassionate arms of the Good Shepherd. He does not even snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed, nor raise his voice in the streets . Jesus is near and available to all who are afflicted with fear, worry, and despond.
Also Check: What Does The Bible Say About Spanking
The Day And Hour Unknown
36 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.40 Two men will be in the field one will be taken and the other left.41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill one will be taken and the other left.
42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Footnotes
Should We Fear The End Times
We dont need to fear the end times, but Jesus said, Be prepared and keep your lamps lit.
We should that even when we are arrested, it will lead to an opportunity for our testimony. So, make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute.
As John Piper pointed out regarding the end-time scriptures: So Pauls aim here is, first, that the Thessalonians not be shaken from their senses, that they keep their heads, we might say, that they not be thrown off balance or lose their equilibrium. He wants to help them be calm and composed and steady and clear-thinking in all the upheaval around them.
47. Luke 21:28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
48. Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Recommended Reading: Where Is James In The Bible
Effective Habits To Embrace In Parenting
To be an effective parent, you must be a leader in your childs life, guiding with a gentle hand and setting a solid example. Dr. Randy Schroeder provides the insight you need to be a leader-parent. As he explores the foundational Rsrelationship, routines, responsibilities, and rulesyoull better understand the role you play in your childs life. Youll learn great phrases to employ such as Either/Or/You Decide and When You/Then You. While there is no perfect parent, this nuts-and-bolts material will equip you to lead your child in a loving, confident manner.
The Rapture In 2 Thessalonians : 110
Home \ Faith News \ The Rapture in 2 Thessalonians 2:110
The Rapture in 2 Thessalonians 2:110
Myron J. Houghton, Ph.D.
The ContextIn verses one and two, Paul states: Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Pauls purpose, then, in 2 Thessalonians 2:310 is to show these believers that they were not in the Tribulation. In v. 3, he states that two things must occur before the Tribulation can begin the falling away, and the revelation of the man of sin. For those aware of Daniels prophecy that the prince that shall come will confirm a covenant with many for seven years and then break it in the midst of the week, the lawless man of sin is made known when he confirms the covenant, not when he breaks it. II Thessalonians 2:4 indicates the identity of this man rather than the time of his revelation by relating him to Daniels prophecy.
There are four reasons which, when taken together, seem to indicate that Paul was referring to the rapture when he mentioned this term.
If both the removal of the Restrainer and the falling away refer to the rapture of the Church, then II Thessalonians 2:110 offers two proofs for the rapture occurring before the Tribulation.
Faith Seminary
Also Check: What Does The Bible Say About Trials
How A Former Abortion Doctor Became Pro
As an abortion doctor at Planned Parenthood, Dr. Patti Giebink believed she was helping women. Later, she began reading scripture and God gradually changed her heart on the abortion issue. Patti tells the story of her long journey from abortion doctor to pro-life and encourages listeners to share the message of life with compassion.
Romans : : Gods Kindness And Repentance
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that Gods kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
This passage offers the converse perspective to the previous verse from Deuteronomy 28. While we often presume that illness and pandemics are the discipline of God, the Apostle Paul challenges his Jewish readers to think differently in Romans 2. It is not only pestilence and plagues which God uses to draw people to himself it is Gods kindness that draws us to repentance.
Many of us, together with our families and neighbors, have tasted real blessing even in the midst of unemployment and uncertaintymealtimes with families, connectedness to children, and rekindling of old friendships through video conferencing. These graces are intended by heaven to spur us to repentance, not further self-reliance. As you talk about some of the hidden blessings of quarantine life, consider sharing this important text of Scripture.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Study Bible To Buy
Prophetic Books Of The Bible
The Book of Daniel is an important prophetic book dealing with the future of Israel and the Millennial Kingdom.
The Book of Ezekiel has some striking similarities to the prophetic book of Revelation, with a vision of the New Jerusalem, the center of the Millennial Kingdom.
The Book of Revelation is largely devoted to the topic of end times prophecy.
Giving Up Sugar Tasting God’s Goodness
As a latchkey kid, Wendy Speake turned to sugar for comfort. Every Friday, she would pedal to the candy show and use her allowance to fill her bag with candy. And one day, when she was older and a mom of three young boys, she came to realize that she was still pedaling away from her stress and using sugar as comfort, instead of turning to Jesus. She was joyless, worn out, tired, and in need of a change. In this interview, Wendy will challenge Christians to take 40 days to focus on fasting from something they turn to instead of Jesus for comfort. She invited people to break free from a dependence on sugar and taste the goodness of God.
Also Check: Where Can I Read The Bible Online
A Word On Commentaries
End Times prophecy is spread throughout the Bible. Below is a list of scriptures for you to read. But first: Im a BIG proponent of studying the Bible and learning to understand it through the help of the Holy Spirit alone. I do believe there are good commentaries out there, and some very good resources that can be helpful. But I believe they should never be your first stop, go to before you put in the effort of reading/studying the Word yourself.
Why? Well the older I get in my faith, the more Ive come to realize that nobody, and I mean Nobody has it all figured out. No scholar, popular pastor, Bible study teacher, or best selling author has it all 100% correct. We HAVE to stop depending on other people to feed us without question. We should and must question everything were taught and evaluate it up against Gods Word.
That being said, I know godly people on different sides of the timeline of events. I know there are good, godly teachers and preachers on different sides as well. I think these different viewpoints should always push us to the Bible for more study and to prayer that the Holy Spirit would help us discern the truth.
God gave us Bible prophecy not to conceal the future but to reveal it. The word revelation comes from the Greek work apocalypse which means unveiling. And as I mentioned above, Revelation is the only book of the Bible that promises the reader a blessing just by reading it!
________
When Will Jesus Return
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:36
But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, There is peace and security, then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Revelation 16:15
Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!
Also Check: How Are We Saved According To The Bible
Understanding The Root Of Your Child’s Misbehavior
Often, children act out because they are used to getting attention through bad behavior. Dr. Kevin Leman offers advice to help parents transform their childs behavior. He discusses the benefits of allowing your kids to learn from real-life consequences and describes the importance of understanding your childs temperament based on his birth order.
The Spiritual Battle For Your Marriage
God designed marriage to reflect His love to the world and because of this, the enemy wants to destroy Gods beautiful design. Based on his book, Defending Your Marriage, Dr. Tim and Noreen Muehlhoff share about the reality of spiritual warfare against marriages, and how to combat the enemys lies with the truth of God. Couples will be encouraged that theyre not alone in the fight for a godly marriage and better equipped to be a shining example for the world around them.
Read Also: How To Read The Bible In 6 Months
What Might Matthew 2: 14 Be Saying To Us Today
Those who subscribe to a post-Rapture interpretation ofMatthew 24:14 do not agree on whether there is any connection between the mission of thechurch today and this Tribulation period proclamation. There are those who see this phrase asindicating a “finishing up” of world evangelization after the Church is taken away. They see thewords of Matthew 24:14 as speaking of a tidying up to make sure “the ends of the earth” spokenof in Matthew 28:19-20 have been reached. Others understand Jesus to have been predicting adistinct kind of gospel preaching effort that will be totally separate from that being done by theChurch today.
To be sure, any worldwide proclamation of the gospel is aglorious and wonderful thing. If, however, it is to be a Tribulation period phenomenon, thenMatthew 24:14 has virtually nothing to say to the missions strategist.
What The Bible Says
Because the world in question has desires that merit Gods disapproval, it is obviously not the literal earth. Rather, it is the world of mankind who disregard God, making themselves his enemy. The people who make up that world will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction. On the other hand, people who remain no part of the world, in obedience to Jesus Christ, have the prospect of everlasting life.John 15:19.
Indeed, 1 John 2:17 concludes: The one who does the will of God remains forever. Yes, that one has the prospect of everlasting life right here on earth, as stated at Psalm 37:29: The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.
Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.1 John 2:15.
Recommended Reading: What Does The Bible Say About Getting Remarried After Divorce
Romans : 2: The Wages Of Sin
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This season has caused many to reflect upon the reality of mortality as never before. Every descendent of Adam carries the pathogen of sin, and the case fatality rate is one hundred percent. Whatever the physical cause, we will all die, and it is because our fallen race and world are in rebellion against our Creator.
Against this backdrop, the glorious news of the resurrection shines. Jesus guarantees eternal life to all who turn from sin and come to him for forgiveness. If we believe in him, we will not stay dead . Christ came to deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery .
Does your unbelieving friend or neighbor fear death? We cannot avoid illness or mortality forever in this life. Our longing for security can only be satisfied by the promise of resurrection and eternal life. Let us boldly press this gospel truth.