This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached as a testimony to all the nations

Matthew 24:1-28 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. ² But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

³ And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

⁴ And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. ⁵ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. ⁶ And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

⁹ “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. ¹⁰ And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. ¹² And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. ¹⁴ This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

¹⁵ “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house. ¹⁸ And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. ¹⁹ But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ²⁰ Moreover, pray that when you flee, it will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. ²² And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. ²³ Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him. ²⁴ For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ Behold, I have told you in advance. ²⁶ So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. ²⁷ For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. ²⁸ Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

In Luke 12:56 Jesus says: “You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?”  As I watch the events of our time unfolding, I wonder how is it that so many cannot discern this time. Today’s text says: as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And 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 they will mislead many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains. Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  How is it you do not discern this time?  With all the events that are taking place around the world, there are so many who are allowing others to mislead them. Jesus says that the deception that misleads many is that they say He, Jesus is the Christ, but the deception is that the Jesus of today is not the same Jesus who spoke these words. Those who mislead many say that Jesus today accepts, tolerates and embraces sin, immorality and lawlessness. While in John 14:6 Jesus says: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”  Many are misled, believing that there are other ways; many ways to God.

Surely anyone who is listening will hear of wars and rumors of wars all around the globe. Jesus says: See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place.  It is good that we try to work toward peace, but peace will not come through human initiatives. Instead, Jesus says:  they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. Peace will not come because of the coldness and evil in the hearts of many people.If we look around, it is obvious that lawlessness is increased.  It is both a cause and the result of the lack of love that there is in our society. Lawlessness is fueled by government policy that cares more for the criminal than for those hurt by the crimes. Lovelessness is fueled by divisive rhetoric spewed from the mouths of leaders, the media and entertainers. Lovelessness is fueled, not only by division, but also by dehumanization. We no longer see smiling faces. We don’t touch or embrace. We don’t gather with family and friends.

One thing remains for those who can discern the times. Jesus says: This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.  Jesus says: Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house. And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.   Surely if there is not time to get our coats, there will not be time to return and warn those we love. Now is the time. Today is the day that we must preach the gospel of the kingdom as a testimony to all nations. 2 Peter 3:3;8-9 says: Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.” …  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.  There will be mockers, but the day of the Lord’s return has not yet come because He is patient, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. Romans 10:9-15 says:  If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 

While there is still time, like John the Baptist, we who discern the times should be: The voice of one calling out in the wilderness. ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’” Amen. Thank You heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ and precious Holy Spirit. Amen.