Triumphant Mercy Ministries

Signs: a road map in the end times

Matthew 24:1-14 is a road map of end times, historically and prophetically.

There are three main questions asked by Jesus’ disciples and they are connected:

When will these things happen?
What will be the sign of Your coming?
What will be the sign of the end of the age?
It is like walking down the a road and every so often there is a crossroad named for one of the signs.

Jesus gives signs, but He also warns against obsession and panic. He gives instruction to the disciples and those who will follow. Two themes run together:

Watchfulness
Endurance
The point is not merely prediction, but preparation:

remain faithful
avoid deception
persevere
keep proclaiming the gospel
Later in the chapter Jesus says no one knows the exact day or hour of His return.

The destruction of the temple in 70 AD was the first crossroad and the beginning of sorrows.

More roads to cross and Jesus emphasizes:

discernment against deception
perseverance through turmoil
faithfulness under persecution
worldwide proclamation of the gospel
I want to address verses 10-12. He clearly points out the result. These crossroads are upon us. Summary of Matthew 24:10–12 — Apostasy and Cold Love. Jesus describes betrayal, offense, hatred, false prophets, and increasing lawlessness. His very words, “The love of many shall wax cold.’ Once was a light as in a candle, then these attitudes snuffed it out. This is a very stern warning to believers today. The love of God shed in our hearts by the Holy Ghost begins to grow cold.

The present political and religious climate is bearing this out. This is what lawlessness does. The majority of the church talks and walks in offense. Whatever is breaking the law contributes to the coldness moving in on us. We have substituted the word compassion for love. It is an expression but the word says, “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son.” Paul writes: “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Jesus is clear concerning the spirit of lawlessness and its fruit. Offense, betrayal, hatred , and the result is living in unforgiveness. The table of the Lord becomes a ritual. Rather than leading to life it leads to death. Many have gone to sleep, Paul says of the mishandling of the body of Christ.

“He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation [judgment] to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Corinthians 11:29)

Self-examination includes:

by the Holy Ghost
bringing issues to our remembrance
repentance toward God
reconciliation with others
This includes addressing:

bitterness
resentment
and unforgiveness
We cannot let our love grow cold in this day and time. He says be not deceived.

Making Room for Him

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

As scripture has spoken to us very clearly about the birth of Jesus: He came in the fullness of time. This was the time that was prophesied and chosen by God. This was divinely appointed, the perfect time for Jesus to be born.

While they were in Bethlehem, her time had come to give birth. Mary giving birth is the fulfillment of God sending His Son into the world for His redemptive work in mankind. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, a trough, where animals eat.

The word Manger means to eat. This has such spiritual significance because Jesus would be known as the bread of life. Spiritual Sustenance: Jesus presents Himself as the true bread that satisfies spiritual hunger and thirst, offering eternal life, unlike physical bread that perishes.

We might say God’s timing, His place of choosing, and the sending of His Son have set a table for His invitation: “Whosoever will may come.”

“Do not despise small beginnings” means that humble, seemingly insignificant starts are valuable and can grow into great things. A little town, a little couple, and a little baby will begin a journey that will shake the nations of the world. We will see the words of the Innkeeper echo from this little Inn, because there was no room in the Inn.

The question is, will we make room for Him in our hearts? If you have not, I employ you and even beg you to make room for Him in your heart.

Hallelujah!

https://trimercy.org/making-room-for-him/