Matthew 24:3-14
And as He was sitting 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?” Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. And you will be hearing about wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for these things must take place, but this is not yet the end.”
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. Lawlessness will increase and most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.”
Some thoughts for your hopeful mind and heart…
Jesus gives this teaching on the very mountain where His feet will touch at the end of the age, splitting the mountain in half (really). In a sweeping picture Jesus describes how all things will wind down. There are two things to watch for as we guard our hearts at the end of the age. First we must manage fear. Fear is best addressed when we have perspective. There is nothing that will happen for which Jesus has not prepared us. The second is cold love. Part of our human disease results in lack of hope. It is important for me to remember that while getting what I want is always self-pressing, my Father getting what He wants is paramount. More: Zechariah 14:3-4; 1 John 4:18
As a Kingdom warrior I must take my fears captive and subject them to what I know to be true. Cold love is vanquished by keeping my heart in a steady state of alert. My life must be all about seeing the Kingdom grow.
Just saying,
Dave