According to Matthew 24, what are some of the signs of the times that will be manifested in the church?

Are we in the end times? Is Jesus coming back soon? Jesus told us that Mat 24: 36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven.” NIV. However does this mean that we aren’t even to know if we are in the end times?

Jesus gave us several warning signs to identify the season of end times. He encourages us to Mathew 14:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Today we will concentrate on several end-of-the-time signs that will be manifested in the church. My challenge is for you to determine for yourself if this is, indeed, the season of the end of time. I challenge you to meditate upon the Bible texts listed below, and to ponder whether or not these signs are being manifested today in the church. I will try to stay away from statistics, and just let the Word of God be our guide. From time to time I will try to go enlighten the given Bible texts by looking at the etymology of its words. I will also like to pose some questions to be pondered.

My friend, are you ready for Jesus’ return? Determine for yourself if we are in the end season:

Matthew 24 (NIV)

4Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. (see also verses 24-27)

Have you heard of any deceivers pretending to be the Messiah?

9″Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

We may not know of any persecutions in the Western world, however persecution is on the rise worldwide, especially in Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East. There are more Christian martyrs today than there were in the first century! There were more than 165 000 Christians martyred in the year 2000! And their numbers increase yearly!

10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

Do you know of people who have turned away from the faith? What about unforgiveness among church and family members?

11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Do you know of people leading whole congregations away from the truth of the gospel message? Do you know of those who preach salvation by works instead of freedom in Christ? Do you know of people who promote self-centered lives, claiming to be able to do anything they want, instead of leading Christ-centered lives?

12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

The Greek word for love in this text is agape, which is divine love, a love that is willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. It is a love that gives even when rejected. It is an unconditional love. Agape love is only demonstrated in born again Christians who follow Jesus’ lead. The text says here that the “‘agape’ of most (Christians) will grow cold”.

Is love evident in your church? What about the churches in your area? When donations are requested to relieve the victims of a disaster somewhere in the world, does everyone give generously? Are there those in your church who harbour criticalness and suspicion?

14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Is the gospel being preached worldwide, even in countries where the government persecute Christians?

These are but a few of the end of the times signs that will be manifested in the church. What about it, folks? Does any of this sound familiar? Jesus advises us: Matthew 24: 32-35 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Are we in the end season? If yes, are you ready for Jesus’ return? Or are there skeletons in your closet? There will be a time when it will be too late to accept Jesus’ offer, for your destiny will have already been fixed for eternity. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7). Accept Jesus’ offer. He wants you to experience true inner peace and happiness. He wants to give you eternal life. He wants to become your personal friend. Why don’t you accept Him now by accepting His call at http://www.answers2prayer.org/saviours_call.html

Rob Chaffart

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Versus 5-12 really tell the things that shall come to pass before Christ comes again. Mainly we are to beware that there will be many false prophets and false Gods that are trying to make people believe they are our Father. We must be careful not to be swayed or believe the wrong things. Nobody of course knows the exact time of the coming of Christ, but the following things will have to happen in before hand as the Lord’s word states in scripture….

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Deedee

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Mathew was speaking to, writing to and giving to the Jews here. This makes it unique in 2 (if not many more) ways as I see it. First off, see the four’s? Chapter 24; verses 4-14. Also, Men’s Study Bible tells me that “what was said through the prophet was fulfilled” is written 9 times, but isn’t in any of the other Gospel’s! Also “kingdom of Heaven” is repeated 32 times as well, but is nowhere else in the New Testament. I believe God is using him to give us what we need throughout the ages

Greg Parker Hobbs

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V. 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.

There will be many people saying they are “The Christ” but are not. There will be many people that “heal or do miracles” and people will believe them because the world is seeking something but they are looking to the wrong people for the answer.

V. 38-42

People will be going about doing their on thing and Jesus will come and get His children. There will be two in the field and one will be left.

Just like Matthew 24:44 says be ready because no person knows when the Son of man will come.

Nicole