Matthew 24: Signs of His Coming (3)

Pray Psalm 7.17.
I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Sing Psalm 7.17.
(Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
All praise and thanks to You, O righteous Savior!
My hope, my trust, my confidence are You!
Embrace me with Your kindness and Your favor,
and to Your glory make me ever true.
We sing Your praise and glorify Your Name,
Who brings our foes to judgment and to shame.

Read Matthew 24.1-28; meditate on verses 15-28.

Prepare.
1. When will the “great tribulation” begin?

2. What else accompanies this time of tribulation?

Meditate.
Jesus again broached the subject of tribulation, this time tribulation “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (v. 21). This is referred to as the “great tribulation”, and Jesus indicated that it would begin within the lifetime of some of those who heard Him (“when you see”, v. 15).

The “abomination of desolation” perhaps refers to the desecration of the temple by Roman authorities, followed by the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. While persecution and harassment of Christians was going on in the world prior to that event, the Roman slaughter in Jerusalem seems to have marked the beginning of a lengthy effort on the part of various Caesars to suppress if not obliterate the Christian movement. What Rome began and sustained for more than two centuries has continued throughout the course of Church history, unto this day.

We are living, in other words, in the time of the great tribulation, and Christians around the world are enduring it to one degree or another.

During this time “false christs and false prophets” will also be empowered to persuade many to believe them. As you read this, don’t think only of magicians or wizards or other religious figures performing signs and wonders. Think of the scientific enterprise, and the many “great signs and wonders” it has produced, and how many scientists today insist that science is the only source of truth and the only valid worldview. This is not science, but scientism, and it is as real a false christ as any that have shown up during the past two millennia.

When Jesus finally comes at the end of the great tribulation, there will be no mistaking Him (vv. 26, 27). He will be visible to all, and judgment will follow His return. Keep looking for Jesus, and stay the course of the Kingdom-seeking life to which He calls us. That way we won’t lose heart, and we won’t easily be deceived or misled.

Reflect.
1. Do you pray for Christians who are being persecuted in the world? How should you pray for them?

2. Can you think of some examples of “false christs and false prophets” in the world today?

3. How can believers help one another to keep their eyes on Jesus, and to keep looking ahead to the day of His return?

False Christs are the false truths of the heresies, and false prophets are preachers of false truths. Their signs consist in doing the same things falsely which the faithful do truthfully. They remain chaste and observe the fasts and practice mercy and fulfill every rule of the church. Do not the devil’s signs appear most deceptive when you see him doing the works of God? Anonymous, Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 49

Help me to keep focused on You, Lord, and let me encourage other believers today by…

Pray Psalm 7.1-16.
Pray for believers who are persecuted throughout the world, that God would give them strength to endure, and would change the hearts of their tormentors.

Sing Psalm 7.1-16.
Psalm 7.1-16 (Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
O Lord, my God, in You do I take refuge;
save me from those who my poor soul would tear!
Deliver me from my foes’ angry deluge,
lest I be swept beyond all hope and care.
Let not injustice, let not evil stain me,
lest to the dust my glory trampled be.

Arise, O Lord, rise up in wrath to save me!
Let rage and judgment fall upon my foes!
From all around to You let thanks and praise be.
Rise up on high; the wicked curse with woes.
O Judge of all, observe my just demeanor
and vindicate me by Your grace, O Lord.

Bring to an end the evil of the wicked,
but let Your righteous ones established be.
You are my shield, my soul will not be stricken;
You save the upright; You will rescue me!
You are a righteous Judge in every way;
a God of indignation every day.

Let all repent or know Your piercing sword!
Your bow is bent and ready for the fight!
Take deadly weapons in Your hand, O Lord,
and fiery arrows, aimed against the night.
The wicked fall and stumble in their mischief,
but to my soul Your grace will bring relief.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).