Devotions

They Will See the Son of Man Arriving

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There have been many abominations in the history of man. But when we see this abomination in Matthew 24:15-16 “standing in the holy place”, it is time for “those in Judea” to flee. This final act will trigger a great tribulation in Matthew 24:21 “such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will happen (again)”. And it is after this that the world will see Jesus Christ coming in the clouds. Our instructions are clear in Matthew 28:19 (LEB) “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” until, in Luke 21:28 (LEB) “But when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”

Destruction of Jerusalem

Mark 13:14-23
Matthew 24:15-28
Luke 21:20-24 

When You See the Abomination of Desolation

Mark 13:14–23
Many have looked for events that fulfill what Jesus said in Mark 13:14 where “The “ ‘ “abomination that causes desolation” ’ ” is a phrase taken from three cryptic references in Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11 to a scandal that would defile and profane the Jerusalem temple”.1 And because there is a historically correct reference where “The same phrase is used in 1 Macc 1:54 to describe Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the Syrian general who outraged the Jews in 168 B.C. by erecting an altar to Zeus on the altar of burnt offering in the temple and sacrificing a sow on it”1, some have thought it was fulfilled. You will find other explanations in commentary’s but I think it is clear that Mark 13:14 “like 2 Thessalonians 2, indicates that Jesus foresaw the rise of a terrible antagonist, an Antichrist, who at some future time will unleash a severe tribulation on the people of God, which in turn will usher in the return of the Lord”.1

There Will Be Great Tribulation

Matthew 24:15–28
This tribulation is connected with “the abomination” in Matthew 24:15 and now in Matthew 24:21 “( … at the same time as the preceding) there will be great distress, where the term indicates very serious trouble, pressure to the point of bursting (see the note on 13:21; Phillips translates “misery”)”.2 But Jesus doesn’t tell us to hide away in preparation for that day as some self proclaimed survivalists might suggest. And he also doesn’t tell us to stand our ground and let this tribulation overrun us because as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:6 (LEB) Therefore, although we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—. So, why should we flee? Lets just go to be with him. Instead, he says, when you see it, then flee. And, he goes on to say, in

Matthew 24:22 (LEB) And unless those days had been shortened, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.

The tribulation will come, we may have a time when we must flee for our lives, but God will make a way for us because he wants a witness in the earth, he wants us in the earth.

Jerusalem Will Be Trampled Down by the Gentiles

Luke 21:20–24
Even though Israel is a nation again, Jerusalem is still a divided city. The Jewish people do not have access to the temple location. Jesus Christ fulfilled the sacrificial need for blood. He paid the price, the penalty for sin when he died. His blood atoned on the altar of heaven for sin so there is no more need for animal sacrifice in the temple. But the city still belongs to God, and He said it was for the Jewish people. There is coming a time when it will be restored to them.

Christ’s Return

Mark 13:24-31
Matthew 24:29-35
Luke 21:25-38 

They Will See the Son of Man Arriving

Mark 13:24–31
There won’t be any doubt about this when it happens. There is the prophetic description in Daniel, the description Jesus himself gives, and the visions given to John about what will come to pass in the end. Here in Matthew 13:26 “the clear imagery of the return of the Son of man to judgment (Dan. 7:13), can refer only to one event in history, the second coming of Christ”.3 And this is confirmed later by John in

Revelation 1:7 (LEB) Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even every one who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Yes, amen.

Revelation 14:14–16 (LEB) And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud was seated one like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud, “Send out your sickle and reap, because the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe!” 16 And the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Learn the Parable From the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:29–35
Just as we know the seasons of the year and can see the buds ready to break out, we should know the signs of Christ’s return. In Matthew 24:29 “And immediately after the tribulation of those days”. 

Your Redemption is Drawing Near

Luke 21:25–38
When in Luke 21:26 “people are fainting from fear”, that is the time to look for His return and for us as Christians, in

Luke 21:28 (LEB) But when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”

No One Knows When

Mark 13:32-37
Matthew 24:36-51

Concerning That Day or Hour No One Knows

Mark 13:32–37
Mark 13:32 says that “no one knows … except the Father”. It seems that day, the end of the age of grace, the time of the judgement, comes in Ephesians 1:10 “the fullness of times, to bring together all things in Christ”.

Be On the Alert

Matthew 24:36–51
Noah and his family were prepared as God had instructed them. But no one else listened. No one else was ready.

Matthew 24:38–39 (LEB) For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark. 39 And they did not know anything until the deluge came and swept them all away. So also the coming of the Son of Man will be.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1–13
Five were ready. Are you ready?

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 24:15-51
  • Matthew 25:1-13
  • Mark 13:14-37
  • Luke 21:20-38

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (pp. 395–396). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.
  • 2. Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (p. 605). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
  • 3. Cole, R. A. (1989). Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 2, p. 286). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.