LESSON 12 – WATCH OUT – CONFUSION AHEAD
WATCH OUT – CONFUSION AHEAD
We are at Matthew 24:4-14
The question that the disciples ask Jesus as he sits on the Mount of Olives is “What will be the sign of your coming and [the sign] of the close of the age?” This concept is not at all clear to his disciples, and their perception is that the close of the age is just a short time away. Jesus answered, “Take heed that no one leads your astray.” (Matthew 21:4-14) This a part of the passage of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks about the signs of the end times. It emphasizes vigilance, perseverance, and the spreading of the gospel to all nations before the end arrives, and it is the dominant note of the entire discourse. Jesus used the phrase “lead astray” again in verse 5,
“For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” Jesus used it once again in verse 24, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray even the elect:” (Those who were genuinely chosen by God). The Lord’s message throughout is an unceasing vigilance, “Watch Out”, keep your eyes open. These words really reminded me of my father, who would say to me when I went out every night as a teenager, these very words, Watch Out, keep your eyes open. Jesus says to test everything as the age will be one of deceit and confusion. Jesus knows that his disciples are already confused in their thinking that the end of the age lies immediately ahead, and he indicates from verse 5 through 14 that there would be a long indeterminate period before the end of the age would be begin. He says in verse 6, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” Our Lord adds in verse 8, “… all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.”
These events are leading up to the end of the age, and finally in verse 14, after listing a long series of events, Jesus says, “…and then the end will come. He states that the end would only come after world-wide evangelism, and that evangelism would be continually hampered by persecutions, martyrdom, and world hatred for those who professed the name of Jesus. The principal note of this discourse is to warn us against how easily the uninformed can be led astray due to the powerful forces that are threats to faith because of deception and confusion. We are warned of the many perils that threaten us.
“For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
The Jews have often been led astray by false prophets and false Christ’s. The Antichrist is the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6:1-2, and he is that final world dictator who will lead all the nations astray. The apostle John wrote at the end of the first century, “For many [antichrists] have gone out into the world”. There are false cults that have arisen throughout the age. Our Lord has predicted the rise of groups like we have in America today like, “Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, Christian Science and others.
There is the peril of religious persecution today in the United States where Christians and Jews have been targeted. In 2023 the FBI, under the Biden Administration infiltrated Catholic churches and categorized certain Catholic Americans as potential domestic terrorists. It is estimated that more Christians were tortured and slain in twelve months during World War II than died under Rome in all the early centuries. We hardly realize the cost of discipleship in certain places of the world. How many in America would disappear from our churches if persecution began to occur? Just the thought of torture is not for the faint of heart. In the 20th century, more Christians have died for their faith than in any other century. Just ask yourself, how many in America would disappear from our churches if this type of persecution began to break out? So, the word is beware as Jesus continues to paint the black picture of the deceit and cleverness of the antichrist. But Jesus gives us the power to stand, and it is introduced through the word ‘but.”
“But he who endures to the end will be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.”
Some will endure to the end, and the end referred to here is not the end of the age, what Jesus means here is to the end of life. Jesus’ words are so often misinterpreted to mean that if someone does his best to live a good life, that if he endures to the end he will be saved. But, in fact, it is the other way around. If he is truly saved, then he will endure the end and the fact he endures makes obvious to all that he is saved. Only those who have genuinely found Christ will endure to the end. What our Lord is telling us is that the strength of character that permits them to stand fast demands an unceasing flow of power, for they are exposed to an unceasing flow of pressure. They can stand only if there is power available that can keep them every single moment of the way. “This gospel of the kingdom,” Jesus said, “will be preached throughout the world, as a testimony to all nations.” The good news they preach reveals the secret of their ability to stand. Amid the pressures of the age, they reveal that they have heard and obeyed the good news, and there stands with them One whose very life is imparted to them and who can keep them against all the deceit of the world in which they live.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Our Lord says, I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one is able to snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” As I stated earlier, when the good news of the gospel has been preached as a testimony to all nations, then the end of the age shall begin.
“Watch,” Jesus said, “for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming,” Remember, I said in lesson 1, “God says that each of us has his or her own ministry, and we should share and spread the word of the gospel.” Do you have ears, but do not listen? I hope you are doing your part.
May peace, love and joy be with you always!