February 2, 2012

BE ON ALERT!

Matthew 24

Marina Juarez
Thursday's Devo

February 2, 2012

Thursday's Devo

February 2, 2012

Central Truth

Jesus warns us of His Second Coming and tells us how to prepare.

Key Verse | Matthew 24:42

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42)

Matthew 24

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

As he 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?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 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.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away 1 24:10 Or stumble and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 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.

The Abomination of Desolation

15 So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 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. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Coming of the Son of Man

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

32 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day and Hour

36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, 2 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 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. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, 3 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50 whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants 4 24:49 Or bondservants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Footnotes

[1] 24:10 Or stumble
[2] 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son
[3] 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50
[4] 24:49 Or bondservants

Dive Deeper | Matthew 24

I reference my calendar daily to be aware of and prepare for expected events of the upcoming weeks. On Sunday, I will meet with my community group at 3:30 and attend the 5:30 church service. Other than that, the week is open . . . so far. Here, however, are some unexpected events that can fill my week: a flat tire, heavy traffic, a busy workweek, a crisis with a friend, an illness, etc. Am I prepared for any or all of these? Probably not.

As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, He warned His disciples of the signs of His Second Coming. He warns us that false prophets will arise and attempt to lead us astray (Matthew 24:24). I ask myself: Am I prepared to stand before Christ and explain why I didn't spend consistent time reading His Word, praying, and worshiping Him? Sorry, Lord, I just didn't have time this week. I had dinner with friends, I hung out with my boyfriend, work was really busy, etc. I pray this would not be our answer to Him.

Are you watchful and prepared for Jesus' return? We do not know when that Glorious Day will come, but we know that it will, and we can be prepared. "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matthew 24:36, ESV) God calls us to be prepared and to lead a holy life (2 Peter 3:11-12, ESV). How can we prepare? By reading His Word so that we will be able to discern sound doctrine from unsound doctrine. What is truth, and what are lies that our culture has accepted as twisted truth?

Most importantly, DO NOT let this Day come without your having a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He knows you. Do you know Him? I'm eternally thankful Jesus' Second Coming did not come three years ago when I did not know Christ -- lest I'd be thrown into the lake of fire.

Discussion Questions

1. Irresponsible, complacent, content, unprepared, wayward, non-existent . . . do any of these words describe you and your relationship or lack of relationship with Jesus Christ? If so, what steps do you need to take to grow in your walk with the Lord?

2. Do you feel it is important to read and know God's Word (the Bible)? Why or why not?

3. Our pastor warns us to always double-check everything he says from the pulpit with what God says. Are your pastor's teachings consistent with God's Truth?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MATTHEW 21-25 (JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 3)

Read Matthew 25:14-30.

* What did the master give to each of the servants?

* What did each of them do with the money they were given?

* How did the master respond to each of the servants and how they handled the money?

* What gifts and talents have you been entrusted with? (If someone in your family doesn't mention something that you think is a gift or talent they have, encourage them by telling them what you see.)

* How are you using these gifts and talents to bring glory to your master (God)?

Activity: Have each person cut out five coins from a piece of yellow or white paper. On each coin, write one talent or gift that you have. Each morning during the week, draw out a coin, and use that gift or talent during the day to glorify God. At dinner each night, take time for everyone to share how they used their gift/talent that day.