Matthew 24:22-35

Matthew 24:22-35 (The Message)

 ^21-22"This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again. If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God's chosen people, the trouble will be cut short.

 ^23-25"If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it. Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. But I've given you fair warning.

 ^26-28"So if they say, 'Run to the country and see him arrive!' or, 'Quick, get downtown, see him come!' don't give them the time of day. The Arrival of the Son of Man isn't something you go to see. He comes like swift lightning to you! Whenever you see crowds gathering, think of carrion vultures circling, moving in, hovering over a rotting carcass. You can be quite sure that it's not the living Son of Man pulling in those crowds.

 ²⁹"Following those hard times, 

   Sun will fade out, 
      moon cloud over, 
   Stars fall out of the sky, 
      cosmic powers tremble.

 ^30-31"Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies—no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven. At that same moment, he'll dispatch his angels with a trumpet-blast summons, pulling in God's chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.

 ^32-35"Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door. Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.

Devotional (by Isaac Pellerin)

The early Christians would sometimes utter this word "Maranatha". It means "Come, Lord Jesus. Come." They looked with anticipation for Jesus to return. They saw the world around them and they saw the signs that it was fading away. The Christians living around 70 A.D. saw some of the events Jesus was talking about take place. The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman Empire, and they had to flee to the mountains to hide. It was a terrible time for them, but they had hope.

They held onto the words of Jesus - the words that the world can never destroy.

 When we look at the world around us we can often despair at it's state. We see hunger, wars, relational conflicts, earthquakes, famines, corruption, greed, and pain (not just in others but also within ourselves). When we see all of these things do we utter "Maranatha"? Do we ask Jesus to be present and hold onto his words?

 Prayer: God we pray that you would come quickly. We pray that you would be present in our lives and that, today, we would find ourselves holding onto your word. In Jesus Name. Amen.