The End is Near Part 2 (Matthew 24:3-8)
Gary McManus, 07/26/2020Part of the The End is Near series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
July 26, 2020 The End is Near, Part 2
Matthew 24:3-8
Can the end be THAT near to have a two-part sermon?
“The end is near. . .therefore. . . “ The phrase appears
in only one place in the Bible, 1 Peter 4:7.
There are many people whose end is quite near,
as individuals. So, when anyone says the end is near,
they may be quite correct. It just isn’t the end of all
things. Jesus told stories of sudden death AND
discussed the end of all things. In either case,
have a relationship with the Lord.
The Book of Revelation. Relevant for us? Relevant
long ago or not YET relevant?
If that question cannot be answered, rest assured:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” It is written seven times.
Our words are important:
“The end is near.” Or “I believe that the end is near.”
Or “I choose to believe that the end is near.”
If anyone has a date in mind or a time frame in mind, they are claiming more knowledge than Jesus Himself had or would tell to the disciples.
[Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:31, and John 21:23]
Remember:
“He who is wed to the present will soon be widowed.”
“He who is married to the present, will soon be widowed.”
No doubt-- there will be an end to all things.
The Bible is clear on that.
The end will come. If anyone wants to pick
a date, they are free to do so.
All believers should hear Jesus’ warning:
Mark, Chapter 13: “Take heed that no one leads you astray.”
Misleading Jesus’ people was Jesus’ major concern.
[See Luke 21:8, Matthew 24:24]
Notice, Jesus told us that a person doesn’t have to claim to be Messiah to be dangerous.
The most someone will ever hear Pastor say is,
“ It is my opinion that”. . .or better still, “I choose to believe that the end is near.”
Let no one “lead you astray.”
Astray= to wander
One more warning from Jesus:
While Jesus walked this earth, He was reluctant to show signs and wonders on demand (Matthew 4:1-11, 12:39, 16:1-4, 27:40). The false Messiahs that Jesus speaks of will show signs and wonders for public display.
So, is the end near? Maybe. Maybe yours. Maybe Pastor’s. And maybe the whole world’s.
Make friends with the Shepherd of your faith
and the guardian of your soul. (1 Peter 2:25) Amen.
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