March 10

Matthew 24:1-14 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
Signs of the Close of the Age
3As 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 close of the age?" 4And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Observation

Disciples were amazed by the shear magnificence of the temple, yet Jesus threw in a comment on the very frailty of human expectation on things and it's shortcomings. Jesus, on top of the disciple's disappointment, he introduce the idea of "the end". To their redirected wonder of "end", Jesus explained who gets to be prevailed over all these forthcoming turmoil, the very one who endured to the end. In recent years, more so than ever before I have heard and seen of earthquakes, rumors of wars, actual terrorist activities, international tension, hatred against nations especially toward United States, famines in Africa and in North Korea, uprising of false prophets, and falling of morality and compassion. I seriously think the end is extremely eminent needless to say.

Application

In times of final tribulation, it's not the building that will protect and save me. The mother nature is much too powerful and immeasurably complex in its operation. I need to heed to these signs of forthcoming revelation ever more seriously, and set my life in order.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be more vigilant in concerning heavenly matters over what I perceive with my eyes. Let your will be done in this time and forever. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

--JK