Matthew 24:23–26 (ESV): Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
 
I thought it would be wise for us this morning to continue with our discussion regarding the condition of the world pertaining to the end of days, but from a different angle. As we have been discussing 2 Thessalonians 2, and addressing the times toward the end, Jesus happens to address the same set of circumstances.
 
It just so happens that Jesus does so on Tuesday of the Holy Week. The Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24 and 25.
 
Jesus knew full well that the Bible which we read, know and live would be in wide circulation at the time of all these things happening. So, Jesus makes it known to the reader that they can know all about the return of Christ.
 
The elect can understand clearly how it is that Jesus is going to return to the earth.
 
The question is though, exactly what aspect of His return is Jesus referring to? By this time the taking of the church up into heaven will have most likely occurred. So, this discourse by Jesus is referring to those who have been saved, who remain on the earth waiting for Jesus to return to end the Great Tribulation.
 
The timeline is not what I want to ponder with you today. I have some ideas and I am sure you do too. Some do not even want to know, that is alright too.
 
The most gripping aspect of the passage I read above is people searching for Christ. People search for Christ and a ravenous wolf will be guiding them into deceptive clutches.
 
There are going to be well meaning and yet horribly misguided people directing sheep. There are going to be horribly aware people leading sheep to the slaughter by design, too. Here is the thing, whether by accident or on purpose the end result is the same. If a person is run over by a car, does it matter if the person driving the car meant to or not? Does one or the other reduce the impact of metal on flesh? Not at all.
 
I see people searching intensely, looking for answers and crying out, hoping to find Jesus. And they are going to be deceived.
 
I believe the church is long gone by this time, because those who know the Word of God would stand strong and point the way. Rather, there will be no church, no pastors, no congregations, no help, no system for finding answers.
 
When the Holy Spirit is removed, the restrainer, the expression of Jesus in the gifts are gone. No Holy Spirit, no gifts. No gifts, no church. There will be knowledge. There will be Bibles laying around.
 
People will be reading, but without the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Salvations will occur, but the church itself, will not be joinable. Shepherding souls will be a thing of the past. Believers will gather to pray and wonder what to do. But notice, there is no description in the Bible, no direction given to the church during this time.
 
Wait, yes there is – one thing – RUN!
 
Matthew 24:15–16 (ESV) “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
 
That happens to be the opposite of what the church is told to do in the New Testament today. We are told to stand firm in our faith – follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Make disciples of all nations. Never are we to run from trouble, Jesus told us take heart because we will experience trouble, but to take heart because He has overcome the world.
 
Yet, now Jesus tells people to flee. That doesn’t make sense if Jesus is referring to the church, does it? We are not runners, that is not what God has called us to be. At least we do not run from, we run to.
 
Is there anything that you are running from today? Jesus Christ gives you the power to stand firm! He does!
 
Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV): Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
 
No need to run from anything is there?
 
Father in Heaven, thank You for the power that comes through Jesus and is deposited into us, the wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit. Praise Your name Lord! Thank You for all that You have done for us. We stand firm in our faith. We look for Your guidance and direction. Thank so much for the power for life You have given to each of us.

Blessings,
Pastor D