Matthew 24:3 "As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” 24:4 Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one misleads you. 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many."
So before I read Matthew 24 I read Matthew 23 and listened to it on the Bible Experience. Just to get more context and I gotta admit it was more alive than ever before. The more I read through it and listened to it the more of the reality of what is coming hit me in the face. I did not even know where to start writing my journal at, so I am starting at the beginning.
The first thing Jesus says out of all the things that is coming, all the judgments, wars, earthquakes, out of every single end of the age events He starts with deception, seems to me that Jesus is highlighting this to us. What kinda power is really coming at the end of the age that would make Jesus say this first. I sat listening to worship thinking about this, chewing on it, repeating it in my mind over and over. And the reality of what is coming began to set in. Just how the so many people freak out when someone does a sign and a wonder. (I love signs and wonders) We all take notice and listen to what they have to say. And at the end of the age there is a false prophet who calls down fire from heaven. How many Jews will look at this and say "this is what our prophets did", Christians who are somewhat familiar with scripture see this "says this is what the prophets in the bible" and they will begin to listen to what he has to say, with a demonic anointing he begins to speak. He has them hanging on every word, this man is really the Christ. An because he has power everyone listens to him, then falls in line with what he is saying. Hitler deceived nations, millions of people, and he did not do one sign and wonder. He was simply a passionate speaker, and because of his passion people believed in what he was saying. With Islam we are seeing the same thing millions a year being converted, blowing themselves to peaces killing thousands and they have not seen one sign and wonder it just simply passionate speakers worshiping demons. Jesus Miranda in florida clams he is the second coming of Jesus and over a million people are following him, convinced he is Jesus. Walking down the streets chanting "the son of man is back". He says sin does not exist and prayer is a waste of time, that we are already perfect spirit. The man has not done not one sign and wonder. How many will be deceived when someone is calling down fire from heaven?
In light of that I ask myself, "How do I guard myself? How do I prepare to know in that day I will not be deceived by this false prophet?" Well its to know what is going to happen before it happens, the answer is found all through the new testament. Matthew 24:23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together."" 1 Thessalonians 5 "1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." What our response is to be is very clear. "WATCH". We have to be those ones who have stood before the Lord with His word know the time and the seasons that is coming, that is at hand, so when this hits we can stand in boldness without doubt saying this is that, and this is what's coming next.
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