Part 1 – Be Alert, Awake, And Spiritually Discerning
What are the things that we need to know concerning the end times? Let’s see it through the lens of what Jesus has taught and warned about in His Word. People have always been interested in the end times. The disciples of Jesus also had a question concerning the end time and Jesus’ second coming.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24:3 (NKJV)
The disciples were very curious about the signs when Jesus returns to the earth for the second time. They didn’t ask about the time He is coming but the signs of His coming. Jesus answers them and gives certain key cautionary principles to understand this in the next few verses as follows:
Take heed that no man deceives you or leads you astray
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Matthew 24:4(NKJV)
Jesus warns the disciples to be on guard against deceptions. This warning reverberates throughout the gospels.
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Mark 13:5 (NKJV)
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them
Luke 21:8 (NKJV)
Jesus warns his disciples about many who will come claiming to be the saviour.
Beware of false prophets who are like wolves in sheep’s clothing
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Matthew 7: 15-24 (NKJV)
As we see, Jesus has already warned to watch out for false prophets earlier in the gospel. Thank God for prophets but watch out for false prophets! The way to identify genuine prophets of God are not by the miracles they perform but by the fruit that they bear in their lives. You may be serving God in various capacities but you will be known only by the fruit that you bear. For example, you may be a good preacher, but what you are inside is the fruit. Through this illustration of a fruit bearing tree, Jesus makes it very clear that every tree that doesn’t bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus it is only by their fruit that you will recognize them. Only those who do the will of the father will enter the kingdom of God. So even if we cast out demons, minister to others, prophesy or do other things in Jesus’ name, He will say that He never knew us! We need to be careful and check our own lives and see that we bear good fruit by doing what pleases God.
Do not believe reports of false Messiahs
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Matthew24:23-26(NKJV)
Many will claim that they are the Messiah. In the world, there have been many in the past who have claimed to be the Messiah. Even at present, there are numerous who still claim this – we have examples even in Kerala and other parts of India. Many in the future will also say they are the Messiah.
Do not believe false signs and miracles (Matthew 24:24)
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24 (NKJV)
We should guard ourselves against false messiahs and prophets. They may even seem to be so convincing and powerful to perform false miracles and wonders to even try to mislead true believers. We also need to remember that more devout and mighty men of God have fallen and we are running on their skeletons. Unless I take this verse seriously, I may also fall. A true believer needs to persevere in God’s strength.
Don’t go anywhere to meet the Messiah, He is coming in the air!
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Matthew 24:26 (NKJV)
Another pertinent question related to His second coming is from where will Jesus come? Jesus will come from above, we need not go anywhere to meet Him.
When you see the signs, know that He is near
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors
Matthew 24:33(NKJV)
Things are not going to be easy during those days. And we will know when He is at the door.
Watch, for you do not know the hour when the Lord comes
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:13 NKJV)
God has neither revealed the day nor the hour when He will come. Beware, if people start predicting this. Many today, are obsessed with predicting when He will come. Several men of God have made predictions that turned out to be false, misleading other believers.
Be ready and be wise!
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:44(NKJV)
Although we may not know the day or hour when Jesus will come, we need to be prepared for His coming. His second coming is likened to the arrival of the bridegroom as told in the parable of the ten virgins.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:1-13(NKJV)
Just like the wise virgins in this parable, we need to be prepared. We need to learn to say ‘no’ to the things that take our focus from this preparation. We shouldn’t ‘buy oil’ at the 11th hour. Don’t repent at the 11th hour for He may arrive earlier. If we wait to repent, we may not get the opportunity. Don’t be deceived, but be wise and ready like the wise virgins. Instead, prepare for the second coming of our Lord. Are you ready?
Transcribed by Dr. Suby Jo Varghese