Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for [a]all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, [b]pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

When I was growing up as a young 10-year-old, one of my favorite groups was New Edition.  One song in particular that I used to sing in my mirror was “Is This The End?”  It was the teenaged romantic asking his “girlfriend” if their relationship was over.  I was so into the song that I used to try to figure out who I would sing it to (because I was 10).  However, now that I am nearly 5 times that age, that same question, “Is This The End,” sparks a much different thought.  With everything that is going on in the world today; Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Flooding, Tornadoes, Uncontrollable Wildfires, Countries being overtaken; not to mention a widespread Virus that continues to linger and morph itself into a stronger version.  Could this be the end coming closer or as I told a friend earlier today “Is Jesus walking up that Cloud?” (He’s coming back in a Cloud-Revelations)   

Jesus’ Disciples asked a similar question about the end; the book of Matthew records a conversation where Jesus answered this question of when the end would be.  The wanted to know when their Savior would return for them.  In His response, Jesus begins by reminding them not to be deceived by those who claim to come in His Name.  There is only one Jesus and One way to God the Father.  Don’t be swept away by the latest trend, Ted Talk or the smoothest speechmaker; they are frauds.  After this great insight, Jesus then begins to give a plethora of things which will mark the signs of His return to earth. 

1. Wars and Battles:  vs 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  Unfortunately, war has become all but too common and rumors of wars are spoken on a daily basis.  Well I guess we can check that box. 
2. Pestilences and Earthquake:  vs 7 And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.  In case anyone was unaware, the word Pestilence is defined as “a fatal epidemic disease.”  We all know this way too well.  Since 2020 we’ve been living this nightmare.  Result, another checked box.  Interestingly enough, Jesus said that these would only be the beginning of sorrows.
3. All Sorts of Chaos:  vs 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  People are killed if they are Christians in some countries; here in America we might get talked about, disrespected, maybe even “trolled on Twitter,” but hated none the less.  The other items like lawlessness everywhere, our love growing cold, and hate being shown for one another; we’ve certainly seen that in abundance in the last couple of years.  Unfortunately, another box checked. 

I don’t share this text with you as some sort of “Scare Tactic,” but as a reminder of why we’re planted here on this planet.  Verse 13 & 14 says “13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  We need to tell people about Jesus.  Many will endure all of this and they will be saved, but only if someone is willing to share Jesus with them.  The above truth is that we are in the latter days and according to scripture Jesus could return at any-time.  However, those that have not accepted Christ as their Savior are in the final countdown.  Don’t let that be because they’ve never be offered Jesus Christ.  When we tell them, He will do the knocking at their heart. 

Make sure that you tell someone that Jesus Loves Them.  Regardless of what they’ve done or what they’ve been through, Jesus knows and desires a relationship with them so that He can lead them to their destiny.  Romans 10:9 gives us instructions on how to begin this relationship with Jesus; vs 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Ask Jesus into your heart, then believe He is who He says He is.  He’ll do all the rest.

I Love You With The Love of Christ!!!