The Signs
The Matthew 24 Checklist
The signs Jesus told His disciples to watch for. Not speculation. Not newspaper exegesis. The words of the Son, mapped against what we see now.
The signs Jesus described in Matthew 24 are present. Not one or two of them. The pattern. Wars and rumors of wars. Nation against nation. Famines. Earthquakes. Persecution. The gospel being preached to all nations. The love of most growing cold. The increase of wickedness.
The times are exactly what the prophets described. The darkness is thickening. The counterfeits are multiplying. And the Father's appointed times, written in the luminaries, tracked by the Biblical Clock, continue their circuits. The spring feasts were fulfilled in the first coming. Passover in the cross. Unleavened Bread in the burial. Firstfruits in the resurrection. Shavuot in the outpouring of the Father's Spirit at Pentecost.
The fall feasts await their fulfillment. Yom Teruah, the Day of Trumpets, awaits the trumpet that sounds when the Son descends. Yom Kippur awaits the atonement of Israel. Sukkot awaits the tabernacling of the Father with His people in the millennial kingdom. The clock is ticking. The luminaries are marking the time. The signs are present.
The question is not whether the Bridegroom is coming. The question is whether the Bride is ready.
See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and they will lead many astray.Matthew 24:4-5
What Jesus Said
False messiahs and false prophets performing signs
Matthew 24:5, 24
Wars, famines, earthquakes: "beginning of birth pains"
Matthew 24:6-8
Persecution of believers, hated by all nations
Matthew 24:9
The love of many growing cold
Matthew 24:12-13
The gospel preached to all nations
Matthew 24:14
The apostasia: formal departure from the faith
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Knowledge increased
Daniel 12:4
What We Observe
Deliberately left for your family to discuss. The power is in the restraint. Read what the text says and discuss what you see.
What Jesus Did NOT Say
He did not give a date (Matthew 24:36)
He did not say to identify the antichrist by name
He did not say to stockpile for collapse
He did not say to pre-tribulation rapture his people out before trouble
He did not say to build the Kingdom through political or cultural dominion
He did not say the world would be getting better
He said to watch. To endure. To be found faithful.
Birth pains are painful but purposeful. They produce something. The Father is not absent during the pain. He is bringing something to birth (Romans 8:22).