In looking for end of time Signs, Don’t miss Jesus

Posted on December 12, 2014January 9, 2015 by Matthew Laker

“The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” These were the words I wrote in an email in 2000 AD to my wife-to-be; we were not dating yet. In 1999 many were talking about the end of time, and how many things were going to come crashing down. The Christian church in the 20th century was filled with such “sign” talk. And, so it continues today. Books fly off the shelf, and certain books of the bible are only seen as pertaining to the future, with no thought to the here and now. However, the question of signs is a fair question. Just how is Jesus going to come back?

This is part 2 of a series of posts (part 1, part 3) that are looking at the Second Coming of Jesus. To help narrow the conversation for better reflection, this series of posts will be based on Jesus’ conversation in Matthew 24.

The disciples come to Jesus and ask, “When will the end come and what will be the signs?” (Matthew 24:3)

We are always looking for something. There is a trust that comes with having knowledge. The danger is that we can put our hope in that knowledge and miss Jesus. We put our hope and status and identity in the fact that we know what is coming.

For example, we pray and pray, “Lord show me the future, show me what I am to do.” As if having that knowledge will give us peace. What if Jesus said, “You are going to suffer”? Will we try to change it so we do not? In a way knowledge can give peace, but the real issue is control. Be careful to not miss Jesus in your planning and controlling.

Many times we seek the sign so hard, that we actually seek the signs and not Jesus. In Matthew 24:4-5, Jesus shares many will come in the likeness of himself, but they will not be Jesus. They will come and deceive many, saying, “Let me show you how to find successes, and wealth, and have every lasting peace. However, it will not be a Christ-centered road. In speaking about the signs, Jesus warns us to be careful to not lose sight of the real Christ. One of the first signs Jesus shares here is the reality of deception.

As we journey this life we have many voices calling out to us. “Follow me,” they say. Jesus warns us we can be deceived; however, we must not lose sight of the voice of Jesus. There must be an active work on our part to test the voices and those claiming to be our hope. I do wonder what this will look like. Could it be a person, or perhaps a way of thinking that looks Christian, but once we dig deeper, we find it is not Jesus at all.

Staying connected to the word of God (Bible) is a foundational way to be able to hear the voice of Jesus clearly.

Sometimes in our pursuit to understand the end time calendar, our fault has been in putting our hope in knowledge, and missing Jesus. It is Jesus who is our hope, not the ability to understand everything. It is not about understanding how all the signs work out, but it is about Jesus.

Another danger in seeking to understand the end time calendar is that we miss our calling in this life. In seeking to understand the end of times, stay connected to the voice of Jesus. Be careful and watch out that you do not get hung up in things that pull you away from Jesus, and from living for his kingdom here and now.

In looking for end of time signs, don’t miss Jesus.

Next post we will look verse 6-14.

What question do you have from this passage?

How do we live in light of everything being torn down?

Posted on December 5, 2014November 26, 2014 by Matthew Laker

Series: Understanding the second coming – A study of Matthew 24

Part 1

It is not just about an end destination. Even in the midst of talking about end times, Jesus was very concerned about how we are living now. There is a danger in Christianity of just living for heaven, or as I got my ticket. When we live that way, we miss out on what Jesus taught about living in this life.

This series of posts will look at the Second Coming of Jesus. To help narrow the conversation for better refection, this series of posts will be based on Jesus’ conversation in Matthew 24.

There is a neighbourhood in the Downtown of Ottawa that in the midst of a two to three year span saw two old church buildings sold. These were buildings that had historical connections to the community. Inside they were beautiful, but for one reason or another they closed their doors. Today, we can look at these building from days gone by, or perhaps our own and say “Look Jesus is/was at this great building.”

In Matthew 24 the disciples did just that, as Jesus and the disciples left the temple. Instead of Jesus saying, “Yyes it is beautiful,” he shares the following:

24:2 “Do you see all these things? he asked. I tell you the truth not one stone here will be left on another; everyone one will be thrown down.”

Think about this for a moment, the temple was the pride and joy for the Jewish people. Jesus it seems just dismisses it, saying it will not last. Then, in the contexts of the passage we see Jesus talking about the end of ages. In the midst of this conversation is the question of who we trust and who we are living for.

Where is your treasure? This may seem strange because one wants to hear about end times. However, Jesus is just as concerned about how we are living here and now. Do you think your identity is wrapped up in what you have built and made? Do you think that it is what brings acceptance from Jesus? The gospel shares that God has accepted us, and calls us to trust him, not in the things of this world. The gospel shares our identity is now in Jesus.

As we begin this study on Matthew 24. Where in your life are saying “Lord look at what we/I have built.”

Psalm 49:12-13 ” but man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beast that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves and of their followers, who approve their saying. ”

It is not our riches that will save us in the end. Are we working to build a great business or home? What are our motives? Perhaps they are pure, perhaps not. However, how do we live in light of everything being torn down?

Think about the place you live in right now. In 100 years if it is still standing, you will not be there. We put so much trust into the things of our life. They do help bring meaning to us, and permanence in a life that will end at some point. But they will end, Jesus does not.

For us it could be building a large organization, and the status we get from that, or family that looks good or big church programs across the city. It could be rising in the ranks of our field, so all will look at us. But, not one stone will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.

How do we live in light of everything being torn down?

Matthew 24:46 “It will be good for that servant whose master finds himself doing so when he returns”

Doing what? Living for God’s glory. We are not about living for the glory of the great business or church, but living for the glory of Jesus. Jesus will last, the building will not. Jesus is King, we are not.

As we look at the Second Coming of Jesus. It is not about having all the answers, the best written books or the largest things. It is about Jesus, who will endure forever.

Where your treasure is there your heart is also.

Understanding the Second Coming of Jesus – Matthew 24

Posted on November 28, 2014January 9, 2015 by Matthew Laker

Jesus said that he would come back. What did Jesus teach about this coming and what we call the “end of time”? There have been so many predictions and timeline-building, but what did Jesus actually teach?

In my life I have gotten caught up in end time frenzy of books and conversation,. only to become confused, full of questions. There are many passages in scripture that speak about an end time. Quite honestly, they are confusing and I am convinced not as easy to understand as some have come to believe.

As a follower of Jesus, I understand that our faith is about salvation of past sins and eternal life. However, it is not just about an end destination. Even in the midst of talking about end times, Jesus was very concerned how we were living now. There is a danger in Christianity of just living for heaven, or as I got my ticket, and missing out on much that Jesus taught about life.

This series of posts is going to provide short reflections on the Second Coming of Jesus, and the end times. To help narrow the conversation for better refection, the posts will be based on Jesus’ conversation in Matthew 24. The Second Coming conversation is one that has frustrated me, and exited me at moments.

What questions do you have around this passage or topic?

Series: The Second coming according to Matthew 24

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3