CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
Matthew 24:29-31
Jesus is answering questions from His disciples as we have learned from Matthew 24:3, which states (NKJV), “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’” This takes place just after Jesus has given “woes” to the scribes and Pharisees for believing that they have God’s will all figured out, however, Jesus brings to light just how wrong their ways – the ways of man are. Then, in Matthew 24:3 the disciples of Jesus ask Him questions that are similarly from the heart as was the scribes and Pharisees, thinking that because they are Jesus’ disciples, they will be given special privilege to information that no one else is allowed to have. But they are seeking to follow Jesus and to learn from Him, which the scribes and Pharisees were not willing to do, so Jesus gives them some insight into the answers they seek about the end of time and of His return.
It is very important to realize and understand that the events described by Jesus in Matthew 24:29-31 will happen very quickly, as Jesus has stated in Matthew 24:27, “27For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” These things will happen in an instant. There will be no time to gather and watch them unfold, but I believe that Jesus is indicating that everyone will become aware of these things in that instant. God’s elect (those who believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world, and have openly professed Him to be from obedience and submission of heart) will be gathered together by His angels. Those who have refused to believe in Him will be left for outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:49-50).
This is Jesus’ description of His return and the end of the age.
The end of the age and the signs of the times are questions that many people are struggling to discern still today some two thousand years later. We will soon find out in this Bible study that no one knows the answers to these questions (Matthew 24:36).
We cannot get caught up in learning the details of the end of the age without learning about the importance of it – salvation in Christ Jesus! It does not matter when Jesus will return or how long it will be before He does; what matters is that you are ready when that day comes. It may be today, or tomorrow; we simply do not know. But will you be ready when that day does come? Will you have lived for Christ Jesus and be working His will for your life before that day comes? Do you have God’s Holy Spirit living within your heart? This is the action to take if you have not already. It is a call to salvation in Christ Jesus – to open your heart to Him today and believe that He died to pay for your sins so that by the asking, you may be forgiven and become a child of God. Then you are ready for His return and may do works and actions that are reflective of His will for your life – forever – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
We all have concerns and a desire to know when You will return to take us all who believe in You and have professed Jesus to be our Lord and Savior home to be with You and bask in Your glory for eternity. But please help us to realize and understand that if we are not ready for Your return, we will be lost to eternal condemnation. Please call us to You so that we will not fret of the end of time but look forward to that day – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.