Matthew 24: Don’t Be Deceived, Stay Alert, Be Ready

 

Matthew 24

Don’t be deceived, stay alert, be ready

SCRIPTURE

Mat 24:3–4(ESV): As he sat 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?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.

Mat 24:42(ESV): Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 

Mat 24:44 (ESV): Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 

OBSERVATION

As Jesus and His disciples left Jerusalem after their encounter with, and Jesus’s warning about the religious leaders they went up the Mount of Olives. Here the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of the times. Jesus did not answer them directly, but instead cautioned them and warned them not to be lead astray. Or in other words not to be mislead or not to be deceived.

As he describes to the disciples the signs of war among the nations, He encourages them to endure to the end and be saved (v13), that the end will only come when the Gospel has been preached to all the nations throughout the world (v14). Until then there will be tribulations, persecution, false prophets and messiah’s performing miracles and signs that will be visible in the world - these signs will lead many people away from Jesus towards the false prophets (v15-25).

There will be no uncertainty when Jesus, the real Messiah comes again as Matthew clearly explains that after the horrible days end, there will be darkness (v29), Jesus will appear in the heaven, arriving on a cloud of heaven with great power and glory (v30) and angels will be sent out sounding on trumpets to gather the chosen ones from across the earth.

Because Jesus loves His disciples, he warns them again (v36-44) that nobody will know when that day (v29-31) will be, only the Father knows. Therefore, as followers of Jesus we should be prepared and ready always for the coming of Jesus, as it will happen when it is least expected.

APPLICATION

Reading all of these scriptures can be overwhelming, but it should not be. Jesus clearly points us to be ready and prepared, because He loves us so much. When Jesus comes will you be ready?

The only way you and I can be ready is to obey Jesus, answer the call, when He knocks at the door of your heart, surrender your life to Him and ask Him to lead you to life everlasting.

When you have surrendered your life to Jesus, what can we do in the waiting for Jesus second coming, to stay prepared?

·       Continue praying and searching the heart of Jesus in relationship with Him (Abiding in Christ)

·       Continue the good works He called you to, taking care of one another

·       Read your Bible, get to know God’s Word

·       Preaching the gospel, healing the sick, casting out demons

·       Endure in hope, faith and love

PRAYER

Lord, thank you that you love us so much that you give the foresight about the times to come and warning us to be alert and ready. Where we fall short in our alertness and preparedness, we ask your forgiveness. Please help us by the power of the Holy Spirit to always be alert and prepared. Protect us from being deceived by the lies of the enemy. May we glorify you in everything we do. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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PASTORA HESMA – JCRC CAPETOWN