What does the future of the world look like? Jesus answers this question in Matthew 24. After visiting the temple, Jesus tells them that it will be torn down. Then the disciples ask him when that will happen and what is the sign of his coming and the end of the world (vs.1-3).
It is interesting to note that the disciples assume that the demolition of the temple will coincide with the return of Jesus and the end of the present world order. Surely, according to Jesus, this is slightly different, and he goes on to explain in detail what the future of the world looks like. He foresees a future consisting of three eras or periods, today part 1.
The present tense - read verses 5-14
According to Jesus, the time immediately following his passing and in which we live today is typified by three characteristics, two negative and one positive:
- Confusion and chaos in the world
Jesus mentions the following: false prophets (vs.5) who tempt many people, even false messiahs! People who say they are the messiah and bring salvation. They will deceive many people. What was Jesus thinking about? There were many religions operating in the Greco-Roman Empire. Today Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam are active.
Next, in verses 6-7, Jesus mentions wars, famines and earthquakes. Peoples and kingdoms wage war against each other.
In many manuscripts (and in older translations) Jesus also mentions the epidemics, diseases that spread rapidly through infection.
- Second, Jesus mentions persecution of believers and apostasy. Believers will be hated by all nations (vs.9). They will be oppressed and even killed. Many will deny and abandon their faith; they will betray one another and report to the authorities (vs.10). And in verse 12 he speaks of an increase in lawlessness (no love for God's commandments) and lovelessness (no love for God and one another).
- As a third characteristic of the present age, Jesus mentions world mission: "Only when the good news of the kingdom is proclaimed in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, will the end come. (vs.14) According to Jesus, when the gospel is proclaimed among all nations, "the end," i.e., the end times, will come (from vs.15 onward, it talks about that).
Our attitude?
Jesus also advises us how our attitude should be in this chaotic time. He says "don't be afraid" (vs.6). All this 'must' happen, they are birth contractions (vs.8). There can be no birth of a new world without "contractions.
Do not be frightened and continue to trust and persevere in faith, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (vs.13).
➡️ Contemplation question
What is endurance and in which should we endurance?
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