Musing – What are the “Signs of the End of the Age”?

 Hebraic Musing – What are the “Signs of the End of the Age”?

All four Gospel writers devoted a significant portion of their messages to sharing Jesus’ warnings about what to expect in the “End Times”.  Here are some thoughts and/or applications that came to mind as I read those sections of their Gospels.  Jesus’ words are in red italics and selected from Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 (NIV).  My thoughts and reflections are in black.  Starting in Matthew:

“…his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things? … “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Mt.24:1-2   And a flaming arrow lit the curtain!  And it happened 70 years later, just as Jesus predicted it would!

“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.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:6-8   Have you read the news recently?  Are these forebodings starting to sound familiar?!?!

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,” vs.9-10  Persecution of the faithful has already begun and it’s getting more blatant and obvious.  The “Church” and the number of real “Christians” in the Western world is shrinking.  “Hate” is the new attitude being promoted in our society.  We are no longer being told to “Love” and respect each other!  Are we all created equal?  Then, what is EquityDiversityInclusion about???  And vs.11-12 warns us “and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”   Is wickedness or lawlessness increasing?  How many false religions and teachings are prospering now-a-days?  Mark warned us.  “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,' and will deceive many.  When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Mark 13:5-8   Have you read the news recently?

Jesus encourages us to “stand firm”.  “…but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.  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.” Mark 13:9   When are we to stand firm?  “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.” v.9   Are you ready to witness to the world when it may result in your persecution?

Jesus tells us how to handle the challenge in v.11 and even provides an advocate!  “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”   Whose words are they?

How are we to handle the prevailing “Hate” attitudes in today’s society?  “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.  Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.  All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” v12-13   Doesn’t that sound like today’s messages based on “Hate” instead focus on “Love”.  Notice the important “but” instruction!  Stand firm.

In Matthew 23:42 Jesus raises the question of the Day and Hour; and He starts His warnings.  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”  And then Jesus tell us what to do in v.44. “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  What are we to do in the meantime – Be a “faithful and wise servant.”  Jesus answers in v.46.  “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”

Points to Ponder

What will He find you doing when He returns?

Is the “world” teaching us to “Hate” others?  But the Bible tells us to “love one another”!?!?

What does the world need us to be doing in the meantime?

♫  Are you ready? Are you ready?  Are you ready for the judgment day?  ♫

Stand firm.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                             April 23, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”