Thursday 7 December, 2017

13 Jesus was leaving the temple. One of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What huge stones! What wonderful buildings!” 2 “Do you see these huge buildings?” Jesus asked. “Not one stone here will be left on top of another. Every stone will be thrown down.” 3 Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, across from the temple. Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him a question in private. 4 “Tell us,” they said. “When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to come true?” 5 Jesus said to them, “Keep watch! Be careful that no one fools you. 6 Many will come in my name. They will claim, ‘I am he.’ They will fool many people. 7 You will hear about wars. You will also hear people talking about future wars. Don’t be alarmed. These things must happen. But the end still isn’t here. 8 Nation will fight against nation. Kingdom will fight against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many places. People will go hungry. All these things are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Watch out! You will be handed over to the local courts. You will be whipped in the synagogues. You will stand in front of governors and kings because of me. In that way you will be witnesses to them. 10 The good news has to be preached to all nations before the end comes. 11 You will be arrested and brought to trial. But don’t worry ahead of time about what you will say. Just say what God brings to your mind at the time. It is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brothers will hand over brothers to be killed. Fathers will hand over their children. Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me. But the one who remains strong in the faith will be saved. 14 “You will see ‘the hated thing that destroys.’ (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) It will stand where it does not belong. The reader should understand this. Then those who are in Judea should escape to the mountains. 15 No one on the roof should go down into the house to take anything out. 16 No one in the field should go back to get their coat. 17 How awful it will be in those days for pregnant women! How awful for nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not happen in winter. 19 Those days will be worse than any others from the time God created the world until now. And there will never be any like them again. 20 “If the Lord had not cut the time short, no one would live. But because of God’s chosen people, he has shortened it. 21 At that time someone may say to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ Or, ‘Look! There he is!’ Do not believe it. 22 False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will do signs and miracles. They will try to fool God’s chosen people if possible. 23 Keep watch! I have told you everything ahead of time.

Jesus did not leave His disciples or you and I without assistance and guidance in our walk with Him. I am so thankful for the Bible – the written word of God that we have the privilege of being able to read and study in our homes. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit – His ability to give us words, truth and guidance – straight from heaven.

Here is Jesus like a parent warning His disciples and us – telling us what will happen and how to stand strong….watch out; be on your guard.

The Bible is God’s manual for Life.  If we have questions we can search the scriptures for answers.  If we grapple with Truth – we can look at Jesus and study Him and how He lived and spoke.

Wars and rumours of wars, disasters, famine, brother against brother….we see so much of this now….a world struggling to find it’s heart and lifeblood. Jesus says like the building the disciples were in awe of – it will not stand.  This world will be gone, and all will become new.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that this life journey each of us has –is a rehearsal for the real thing – ETERNAL LIFE – LIFE WITH JESUS – HEAVEN.

Jesus I pray that you would help me to be about your business – speaking, sharing and living the gospel in all areas of my life.  Help me to be who you made me to be.  Help me to be the example that I can be of Your Life in Me.  I long for the day when you return. Thank you for your warning and your Holy Spirit to guide us.  Teach me to rest in you, to lean on you always.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta