“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that YOU ARE NOT ALARMED (throeō: be troubled in mind, to be frightened). Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Matthew 24:6) The only time Jesus uses the word alarmed is in this text. At this moment, He was telling His disciples, AND US NOT TO FALL APART when we see bad things happen. Jesus gave a warning SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR GENERATION. In this passage, Jesus, speaking to us, warns us that false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even elect.
“Learn a lesson from THE FIG TREE (Israel). As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. In the same way, WHEN YOU SEE ALL THOSE THINGS HAPPENING, you know that THE END IS NEAR. It is right at the door. What I’m about to tell you is true. THE GENERATION LIVING AT THAT TIME WILL CERTAINLY NOT PASS AWAY UNTIL ALL THOSE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:32-35) What exactly is a generation? Moses, who wrote the 90th Psalm, said, “The days of our lives are SEVENTY years; And if by reason of strength they are EIGHTY years…” (Psalms 90:10) Today the life span of a male is 79.51 years. Moses died at the age of 120 years, so we know he was not speaking of his day.
Israel officially became a recognized nation on May 14th, 1948, those who saw that event take place will have lived for an additional 77 years as of this coming May 14th, 2025. Jesus taught, “Therefore when you see the ‘ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place then let those who are in Judea FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS.” (Matthew 24:15-16) So, this is the event will happen in the generation of those who see all this take place, where will the Church, the Bride of Christ be? Paul says, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and THE MAN OF SIN IS REVEALED, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things? And now YOU KNOW WHAT IS RESTRAINING (the one who is preventing the beast from being revealed), THAT HE (the beast) MAY BE REVEALED IN HIS OWN TIME. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only HE WHO NOW RESTRAINS (the holy Spirit) WILL DO SO UNTIL HE IS TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY (the Holy Spirit will take the Church OUT OF THE WAY at the Rapture). And THEN the lawless one (the beast) WILL BE REVEALED…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8) You see, the Israelites will still be here because they have not accepted Christ as the Messiah. When the, “‘ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,’ is standing in the holy place then let those (Jews who finally accept Jesus as their Saviour) who are in Judea FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS.” Where they are protected for the last 31/2 years.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham