You will hear of wars and rumours of wars,….
Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that your are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come…
Matthew 24:4-6. Berean Study Bible Translation
‘See to it’ .. is another way of saying you have to take responsibility for your own spiritual condition.
Most of us have had our attention and prayers drawn to the war taking place these past weeks in Israel. We continue to witness the signs that would indicate a soon and very soon return of the Lord. Acts tells us the Holy Spirit was poured out in the ‘last days’ and John wrote in his first epistle about the ‘last hour’. How much closer are we getting to Jesus’ return and the end of this age if those were last days and last hours?
With the political and economic climate shifting around the world we could very easily be approaching another World War. I read an article this morning about Canadians being encouraged to leave Lebanon while they could. This reminded me of those between the world wars, urged to leave Europe but did not read the times properly and were ultimately caught up within WWII.
Jesus said when the time comes, don’t go back in the house and try to save your stuff - it’s enough to save your lives, Mark 13:15. There are things the Lord is preparing His church to endure in the days ahead and he that has an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying will find themselves ‘saved’ through their obedience to Him.
Yet it is by his great love and unwillingness for any to perish that He warns and prepares us, both internally by his still small voice highlighting His word and the revelation he gives through prophetic voices. Note John 15:15 and Rev. 10:7. Having said that, there must be enough spiritual discernment within each of us that we are individually capable of judging any prophecy we hear.
For now, we have chapter twenty four, the very words of Jesus , preparing us for these end times. First, with two very real instructions.
See to it you are not deceived.
See to it you are not afraid.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Living in daily communion with him through the word and Spirit we are assured of knowing, seeing, and hearing rightly. He sends his word and it delivers. He sends his word and it divides. He sends his word and it illuminates. Jesus said feed on me and live. He has not given us a Spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound, well disciplined mind.
I find great comfort in these thoughts.