Musing – According to Jesus, When Should We Expect the “End Times”?

 raic Musing – According to Jesus, When Should We Expect the “End Times”?

When the disciples came to him privately in Matthew chapt.24 Jesus described to them the “Signs of the End of the Age”.  They were concerned because Jesus had just prophetically described the desolation of the Temple.

Jesus prefaced his response to His disciples with a warning.   “Watch out that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.” Matt.24:4&5 NIV   History and religiosity has already provided false leaders and religions.  So, might His warning also apply to us today?  

His next warning sounds like today’s news; although it could be any historical time period.  “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” v.6   So today’s alarming news is not the alarm.

His next prophetic statement sounds even more like today’s news!  “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” v.7   Wars did not end with “the war that ended all wars”, WWI.  Let’s face it, the Kingdom of God has been in the “Battle of the Ages” ever since Satan won the right & dominion over the world in the fall of man as described in Genesis 3.

How are we to understand these current events. “All these are the beginning of birth pains.” v.8   As bad as they sound, these events are just “birth pains,” not the real thing yet.

Jesus warns us about some things that will happen first, before the end.  “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” v.9   Jesus is talking to His disciples, and all the apostles were faithful to the end.  We call ourselves “His disciples”; are we prepared? 

Now Jesus delivers serious warnings that could apply to the Church folks who call themselves faithful Christians.  “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,” v.10   How many professing Christians have enough faith to withstand the persecution we may need to endure? 

What might cause Christians to lose or deny their faith?  Jesus answered that in v.11  “and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”  Do all “professing Christians” have a sufficient, defendable understanding of their faith to withstand preachings that tickle ears?

The daily news confirms Jesus next explanation.  “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” v.12   The wheat and the chaff will be separated.  What did Jesus mean by the word “most”?

Considering these challenges that we faithful will be facing, what are we to do?  “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” v.13   Jesus anticipated the need for this encouraging answer to give us hope and definition.  He wants us to “be strong and courageous” and to “stand firm” until the end!

So, in order for the end to finally come, what has to happen?  “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” v.14   Might this be why Satan does not want the Christians to be evangelizing, witnessing, missionarying and spreading the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth?  Jesus final words were – “...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 KJV

Points to ponder

How many professing Christians are not even willing to profess their faith in order to witness?

Are neighbors in the “uttermost part of the earth”?

Are we prepared to be strong and courageous to the end?

Are we really a disciple of Christ if we are not evangelizing?

How to preach the Gospel to all nations and to the “uttermost parts of the earth”?

♫  Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere. 
            Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      January 17, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com