by Catie Martin

Created on: January 31, 2009

These passages give us an understanding of the future. As we study the words of Jesus there are indications of what will happen before our Savior returns. His message to the disciples is a prophecy.

We are instructed to be wise and to go and tell others about what will come to pass. There are admonitions given to the ones who are looking for signs of the end times. People are cautioned not to be anxious. Even though many will offended, deceived and unloving. His disciples are instructed to endure and because of their faith they will be saved.

The tribulation that is listed in these verses involves wars and rumors of wars, people not having enough to eat or drink, individuals who are affected by diseases, earthquakes and people who lose their lives because they will not deny their faith. False prophecies will be given by those who walk in ways of deception.

In some ways the words of Jesus written here in Matthew's gospel can be compared to the visions that other men had and then recorded in the Bible. Old Testament and New Testament prophecies give indications of the Messiah's birth and second coming of Christ. John, one of Christ's faithful disciples, wrote about what he saw as events before Christ returned again. There are similarities in the passages of Jesus's prophecies with what Daniel saw in the words of His Old Testament prophecies.

When Jesus first begins his message in Chapter 24 He is describing how the buildings of the temple that the disciples were showing him would one day be gone. Historians testify that the temple buildings did fall and the stones were knocked down just as He said they would be. The prophecy became reality.

Throughout History there has been evidence of the signs Jesus told us about. People have recorded what transpired as Christians reacted to the news. Recently the media has reported nearly all the tribulations that Jesus said would be happening in the last days. Christians are aware that these are as Jesus said " the beginnings of sorrows" Christians joyfully pray for the last task to be completed and look forward to the end of life as they know it today and the advent of a life without pain or sorrow.

One sign has not been seen by Christians. The gospel has to be preached throughout the world. Evangelists travel to remote villages and put their lives in danger as they witness about the miraculous power of love and the redeeming grace that God has given to us as a gift so we can have eternal life. In their own words Christians all over this world pray as the disciples did and their words are something like this "come Lord Jesus . Christians echo the words of the disciples who were taught by Christ to pray to Our Creator " Thy will be done".

Learn more about this author, Catie Martin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.