| "When Shall These Things Be?" |
Today's Text:
The disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Matthew 24:3
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The Message:
Christ warned His disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem as well as of the temple. This event was foretold by Daniel. The oblations and sacrifices were no more of value, for type had reached anti-type in the one great oblation. And when the great antitypical sacrifice was offered, the veil of the temple was rent in twain. Forty years after Christ uttered His prediction, His words were fulfilled to the letter. In the siege of Jerusalem, it is stated that more than a million people perished, while many were led into captivity.
Christ's words had been spoken in the hearing of a large number of people; but when He was again alone, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to Him, saying, "Tell us when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" [Mark 13:3; Matthew 24:3.] Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem, and the last great day of His coming. He mingled the description of these two events. When Christ referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond that event to the final conflagration that will take place in that day when the Lord rises out of His place to punish the world for their iniquity, when the earth shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain. This entire chapter is a warning to those who shall live in the last scenes of this earth's history.
Turning to His disciples, Christ said, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." Many false messiahs will appear, claiming to work miracles, and declaring that the time of the deliverance of the Jewish nation has come. These will mislead many. These words were fulfilled. Between the death of Christ and the siege of Jerusalem, many false messiahs appeared. But this warning is given also to those who live in this age of the world. The same deceptions practiced prior to the destruction of Jerusalem will be practiced again. The same events that took place at the overthrow of Jerusalem will take place again.
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass; but the end is not yet." Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem human beings wrestled for the supremacy. Emperors were murdered. Those supposed to be standing next to the throne were slain. There were rumors of wars, but no actual conflict. "All these things must come to pass," said Christ, "but the end (of the Jewish nation as a nation) is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." [Verses 6-8.]
But, said Christ, as the Rabbis see these signs, they will proclaim that they are God's judgments on the nations for holding in bondage His chosen nation. They will declare that these signs are the token of the advent of the Messiah. Be not deceived; they are the beginning of His judgments. The people have looked to themselves. They have not repented and been converted that I should heal them. The signs that they argue are tokens of their release from bondage are signs of their destruction.
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." [Verses 9, 10.] All this the Christians suffered. Mothers and fathers betrayed their children; children betrayed their parents. Friends delivered their friends up to the Sanhedrin. Saul of Tarsus was exceeding bitter against all who believed in Christ until he himself was converted. He then began to preach Christ and Him crucified, and the Jews caused him and Silas to be whipped, and thrown into prison. The persecutors wrought out their purposes by killing Stephen, Paul, Peter, and other Christians.
Through the apostles God gave the Jewish people a last opportunity to repent. He manifested Himself through His witnesses, in their arrest, in their trial, and in their imprisonment. Yet their judges pronounced on them the death sentence. They were men of whom the world was not worthy, and yet they were not allowed to live and serve the God whose they were by creation and by redemption. By killing them, the Jews crucified afresh the Son of God, who had given His servants words to speak and a tongue and voice with which to vindicate the truth, and acknowledge Him as the only begotten Son of God. In so doing, the Jews were not only abusing the men; they were abusing Christ in the person of His saints.
So it will be again. Seventh-day Adventists will fight the battle over the seventh-day Sabbath. The authorities in the United States <and in other countries> will rise up in their pride and power and make laws to restrict religious liberty, as the authorities in this country are doing. They will assume the right that is God's alone, and like Nebuchadnezzar, will think they can force the conscience, which God only can control. Even now they are making a beginning which they will continue to carry forward till they reach a boundary over which they cannot step. God will interpose in behalf of His loyal, commandment-keeping people.
Christ told His disciples that they would be delivered up to councils, but He told them also that they were not to be anxious as to how they might vindicate the truth, for He would give them a mouth and wisdom that all their adversaries could not gainsay nor resist. These words were fulfilled at the mock trial of Stephen, and at the trial of Paul, who made Felix tremble, as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.
On every occasion that persecution takes place, the witnesses make decisions, either for Christ or against Him. Those who show sympathy for the men wrongly condemned, who are not bitter against them, show their attachment for Christ. Many will be offended because the principles of the truth cut directly across their practice <or their income.> Many will stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Many who have professed to love the truth will then show that they had no vital union with the true vine. They will be cut away, as branches that bear no fruit, and will be bound up with unbelievers, scoffers, and mockers.
"Little children, it is the last time," writes John, "and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now there are many antichrists: whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that it might be made manifest that they were not all of us." [1 John 2:18, 19.] Those who apostatize in time of trial, will, to secure their own safety, bear false witness, and betray their brethren. They will tell where they are concealed, putting the wolves on their track. Christ has warned us of this, that we may not be surprised at the unnatural and cruel course of friends and relatives.
"And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many." [Matthew 24:11.] False Christs did arise, deceiving the people, and leading great numbers into the desert. Magicians and sorcerers, claiming miraculous power, drew the people after them into the mountain solitudes. But this prophecy was spoken also for the last days. This sign is given as a sign of the Second Advent. Companies inspired by Satan will be formed to deceive and to delude.-Manuscript 78, 1897.
*Note: I have added in the parts that were left out by the compilers for what ever reason, that the true sentiment of the author may be seen. These parts are underlined.
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Commentary:
My friend, the words of Jesus to His disciples in Matthew 24 are words for us that are living in the last days. The words of warning are so that we will not be deceived nor discouraged as these things come to pass. The persecution that is to come will reveal those who have already been shaken from the church. Those who have rejected the message of the Faithful and True Witness of God, have grieved away the Spirit of Christ and they are no longer sustained by it. When persecution comes it will blow away the chaff from the wheat.
Those who have been sanctified by the Spirit of God in His Son, will be sustained during this most terrible time. Those who have rejected the message that they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Revelation 3:17) because of their worship of the false god of the trinity, will betray their former brethren to the authorities and join the ranks of world. We will be brought before councils and the authorities of the earth that we may testify of the One true God. When this happens we are not to be discouraged for God will give us the words to speak and the words we speak will have an affect upon the people that will bring them to a point where they will have to decide either for or against Christ.
During this time of terrible persecution, many will accept Christ as their Savior. Many who have been deceived by the churches of Babylon and the false religious systems of the world, will hear the truth united with the Spirit of Christ and believe. These will break the chains that have been holding them and will sacrifice all that they may be saved. This is the work of the outpouring of the Spirit of God in the latter rain. This is the time where the living are judged; the wheat separated from the tares.
This time is just before us, the events that are to take place are happening right now. The shaking of the church has begun and is gaining strength. The message of the Faithful and True Witness is going out to the churches and is soon to be complete. The close of probation for the church is soon to close. Those who reject the message given will grieve away the Spirit of Christ never to return.
My friend, do not grieve away the Spirit of Christ. Open the doors of your heart to Him that you may be saved.
God bless,
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Video of the Week
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| The God of Jesus - Nader Mansour |
Does Jesus have a God? How does that impact the Trinity? Is the God of Jesus different to the Trinity? Nader Mansour examines these questions and their practical relevance on our daily walk with Jesus.
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