The Offer of Hope (Matthew 24:1-35) SECOND COMING

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” – Matthew 24:3

Jesus is predicting the End. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE

The Bible’s repeated use of the phrase “the last times” refers to the entire period between Christ’s first and second comings. In this passage, Christ starts by telling His disciples about the “end” of something they would be familiar with, the temple (v1-2). In the gospels, Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of the Jerusalem temple merges with His description of the end times.

Jesus speaks of a chain of events that would begin to happen to indicate His imminent return. Stress and social disorder will be the characteristic of the period before Christ’s second coming. People will be arrogant, materialistic and immoral. There would be those who make a mockery of religion and of any talk of Christ’s return (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Politically wars and revolutions will be the norm. 

Family relationships would be filled with hatred and division, loyalties strained to the point of betrayal (Mark 13:12). Fear and insecurity would rule the day. Aimlessness would be rampant, with people running from activity to activity, yet with no real purpose. 

These signs don’t mean the end but would be the labour pains heralding the birth of the new order. Rather than waste time trying to know the precise details of His return, we are to use it as an opportunity to evangelize and offer hope.

Who needs to hear the hope of salvation from you today?

Give me, Lord, the burden and courage, to share You with the needy world around me, I pray.

Extended Reading – Matthew 24

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