Jesus Teaches The End Times

00:00:00 Speaker 1: But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only Matthew twenty four thirty six. Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, acknowledging your supreme wisdom and control over all things. We surrender our worries and anxieties about the end times to You. Lord. We recognize our need for your peace and guidance each day. Help us to trust in your perfect timing and plan, knowing that you hold the future in your hands. Change our hearts to focus on being faithful in the present, living each moment for your glory. Strengthen us to act in love, kindness, and righteousness, reflecting your light in this world. Empower us to be steadfast in our faith, bringing hope and encouragement to those around us. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen, Thank you for praying with me to day. This is the Jesus Podcast, Gospel inspired stories crafted to inspire, encourage, and teach. If you've enjoyed this podcast, we would love it if you left a review and shared it with a friend. The sounds of people moving about the temple courts blended together into one harmonious hung. The atmosphere was notably different than it was several days prior when Jesus had driven out the merchants. Instead of the guile shouts of salesmen, one could hear the prayers of people being lifted up to God most High. Jesus had indeed made his father's house a house of prayer. Jesus took a seat on a wooden grate. The disciples gathered round him. He motioned to them to look at the scene across the courtyard. Opposite them, under the colonnades, sat two boxes. They were affixed with upward facing metal trumpets. People were seen lining up to deposit coins as offerings to the Lord. The rich would proudly upturn large purses, causing the metal trumpets to ring out for all to hear. The disciples thought back to Jesus teaching on giving to Caesar what was Caesar's and to God what was God's. They turned to judas the keeper of their money, thinking Jesus was encouraging them to join the others in their giving. 00:03:06 Speaker 2: Let's see, we've just spent a decent amount on a place to stay, and we need to get food in the market, which leaves us. 00:03:14 Speaker 1: With no, No, you've missed the point. Please just watch with me. Jesus watched the queue cycle through. There was a small grin on his face as a small, elderly woman approached the offering boxes. Unbeknownst to the disciples, she had lost her husband several years earlier and was nearing the end of her savings. Her frail fingers fumbled through a small purse hanging at her side. She removed her hand from the bag. Pinching two small copper coins between her fingers, she held them up before her face, mouth to prayer. Unlike the rich, who added their coins with force to increase the noise in the offering boxes, the woman delicately dropped her coins in. They gave the tiniest clang as they fell in and hit the pile within. She turned and walked away with a smile on her face. Jesus began to speak to the disciples, though his voice was delicate, as though he were talking to himself. 00:04:32 Speaker 3: Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. The rich give without a second thought or worry, giving their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of for poverty. Faithfully put in all she had to live on. 00:04:51 Speaker 4: Are you in pain after walking, running, or even just standing. It's not your feet, it's your shoes. This summer switched to Jediphi. She use with patentive Verso shock technology, which aligns your body, provides superior shock absorption and trampoline like energy return. Gdphi offers souls and styles for any activity, plus two free orthotics. Whether you're an athlete, a busy parent, or always on the go, Gdiphi shoes deliver the comfort and versatility your fee crave. 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Now, I know that talking about the end times can sometimes feel like opening a box of puzzles, But don't worry. We're going to approach this with a light heart and an open mind, looking for the lessons that Jesus really wants us to grasp. 00:06:51 Speaker 1: Jesus and the disciples began making their way out of the temple courts. They had wondered what sort of application Jesus intended for them and the lesson of the widow's giving. Was he telling them to deposit what money they had left? Was there a deeper meaning he meant to convey that they had missed. As their minds mused on the possibilities, the sun shifted and reflected brilliantly bought the temple's gold and facade, As though instantly forgetting Jesus emphasis on the significance of the widow's humble gift, they began to gawk at the temple's beauties. 00:07:32 Speaker 3: It truly is marvelous. Never in my life have I seen such a beautiful sight. The stone work is impeccable. 00:07:39 Speaker 5: And don't even get me started on the gifts people leave to God, missing the more luxurious parts of life? Are we Matthew. 00:07:47 Speaker 1: Matthew cast his eyes toward the ground in embarrassment. 00:07:50 Speaker 2: Ah, don't mind, John, he's just jealous. We didn't grow up with a lot of money, you know. We don't hold that part of your life against you. We've all got past the care. 00:08:00 Speaker 5: Of course, of course I was only joking, But you do have a point. The temple is truly stunning. 00:08:07 Speaker 1: The disciples had noted Jesus' silence up until this point. 00:08:11 Speaker 3: I will admit it is marvelous, But a word for you. 00:08:15 Speaker 1: All the disciples immediately gave Jesus their full attention. 00:08:19 Speaker 3: What you see here is of this world, and as such it is only a momentary thing. It will pass away, and the time will come when not one stone will be left on the other. Every one of them would be thrown down. 00:08:37 Speaker 1: The disciples astonishment that what Jesus said outweighed their curiosity, for none of them could get themselves to speak. Their eyes gazed up once more at the temple. It seemed an impenetrable fortress of God's glory. The walls hewn of magnificent storms, were stacked perfectly upon one another. They could only imagine what force could bring it down. Daylight was disappearing under the thick blanket of dusk. The disciples spent the day in the city, pitching their tents near the Mount of Olives. They made their way about the camp. As they prepared dinner, the fire crackled as a pot hung from a few propped up branches. The smell of boiling broth and vegetables lingered in the night air. The disciples reclined around the fire. Jesus had departed from them to pray, leaving them to openly discuss the day's events. 00:09:49 Speaker 3: Can you believe Jesus said the temple would be destroyed? Ah? I can't even imagine what would cause that. 00:09:58 Speaker 1: As Matthew and Philip began forming their own theories. Andrew leaned over to Peter, James and John. 00:10:05 Speaker 6: You three spend the most time with him. Did he say anything else to you? 00:10:09 Speaker 1: The three looked at one another. Following jesus transfiguration, he had mentioned the Son of Man rising from the dead, but they had been obedient not to share anything they had witnessed with the others. They shrugged at Andrew as they muttered empty responses. 00:10:29 Speaker 6: Maybe we should ask him ourselves. It feels like we're always missing something. Who knows, Maybe he even wants us to ask him. 00:10:38 Speaker 1: The two sets of brothers discreetly rose to their feet and walked away from the rest of the group. They knew where Jesus tended to pray on the mount and set off to find him. It wasn't long before they rounded the base of the mountain and found Jesus a little ways up, casually strolling through the olive trees that lined the landscape. Jesus noticed them making their way towards him. He greeted them with a warm smile. 00:11:08 Speaker 3: Ah shaloon, my friends finished with dinner already. I can't say I blame you. I noticed Philip was on cooking duty. Tonight, and it seems my cousin's bizarre culinary choices rubbed off on him during their time together. 00:11:21 Speaker 6: Oh no, it's not that. It's just well, we had some questions for you. 00:11:26 Speaker 3: By all means, ask whatever you'd like. 00:11:29 Speaker 6: We were all wondering about what you said earlier. Today. With the destruction of the. 00:11:33 Speaker 1: Temple, Jesus's face remained placid, as though he had anticipated this moment. 00:11:40 Speaker 6: Surely it must be a sign of the end of the age and your return. When will these things happen? And will there be a sign? 00:11:49 Speaker 1: The look on Jesus's face turned stern and serious. 00:11:54 Speaker 3: I've been waiting for one of you to ask. Come take a seat. This might take some time. 00:12:00 Speaker 1: Jesus patted the storms beside him where he now sat. 00:12:03 Speaker 3: Let me begin with a warning. In the last days, many will come in my name claiming I am the Messiah. Many will be deceived and follow them, But you must watch out and see that no one deceives you. You are my disciples, and you will know me. At this time. You will also hear of wars and uprisings, but you do not be afraid. Such things must happen, But the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. In various places across the earth, there will be famines and earthquakes. All of these are the beginnings of sorrows. 00:12:48 Speaker 2: But what is the point of these sorrows? Master? 00:12:50 Speaker 3: Just as a mother must endure the pains of birth before welcoming a child into the world, so too will the earth endure these pains before the return the Son of Man. 00:13:01 Speaker 2: And where shall we be when all of this occurs. 00:13:05 Speaker 1: Jesus looked at James, then to his brother John. It had only been a short while since they came to Jesus with their mother, asking to sit at his left and right in the Kingdom of heaven. 00:13:16 Speaker 3: Dear brothers, you must be on your guard as my followers. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues, but you shall stand before them, governors and kings as witnesses to them. For the gospel of my salvation must be preached to all nations. So take heart. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say, for it is the Holy Spirit who will give you words of wisdom to speak that your adversaries cannot deny. 00:13:54 Speaker 1: Their minds raced with pictures of what Jesus was saying. They couldn't help but fear ill a little fear in the idea of persecution. But they marveled at the thought of the Spirit speaking through them to proclaim the Gospel to kings and many nations. I do not speak the following of you, but of others. You will see brother betray brother, even unto death, families turned against one another. Many will turn away from the face, betraying and hating each other, and they will come to hate you. As this wickedness rises, their love will become cold. But you and anyone else who stands firm to the end, who will be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. And at this time the end will come. 00:14:50 Speaker 6: But Master, how will we know when it's truly the end of all things? 00:14:56 Speaker 3: When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then the people of Judaea must flee to the mountains, and those in the city must escape. They shall leave their possessions and not turn back. Then there will be great distress, a time of punishment that will be unequaled from the beginning of the world until now, never to be equaled again. 00:15:24 Speaker 2: But Lord, you still have not told us how we will know you've returned again. 00:15:31 Speaker 3: I say to you, false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive. They will even try to deceive you. But you must be vigilant, for I am warning you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you there he is out in the wilderness, it's the Messiah. Listen, do not go out. And if they say he is here in the inner rooms, do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Sun of Man. 00:16:11 Speaker 6: Are you speaking in metaphors, Lord, Please, for our sake, speak plainly. What will your coming look like? 00:16:20 Speaker 3: Just as the prophets have described the great events that shall precede the coming of the Sun of Man, so to will I. On that day the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. Even the stars in the heavens will fall from the sky, as the heavenly bodies shake. 00:16:40 Speaker 1: The disciple's eyes widened, barely keeping up with the imagery Jesus painted with his words. 00:16:47 Speaker 3: Then the sign of the Sun of Man will appear in the heavens. Then all the people of the earth will see the Sun of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and his angels will go before him with the sound of great trumpets. And these things begin to take place. Stand up and lift up your heads, because you will know your redemption draws near. 00:17:22 Speaker 1: The disciples breathed slowly and heavily. They could hardly believe the words that they had heard. They had not been prepared for such a vivid answer when they had first come to Jesus to ask their questions, But what they were hearing now made them see Jesus and a whole new light. 00:17:50 Speaker 2: In Matthew chapter twenty four, Jesus speaks to his disciples about events that are to come, including the destruction of the temple, wars, famines, and his events will return. It's easy to get caught up in trying to decipher every detail to pinpoint exactly when and how these things will happen. But here's the thing. While Jesus gives us glimpses into the future, his primary concern isn't about giving us a detailed map of the end times. Instead, he's calling us to be faithful and ready in the here and now. But let's start with the context. Jesus and his disciples are leaving the Temple, and the disciples, perhaps still in awe of its grandeur, point out its impressive buildings. But Jesus, knowing what's to come, tells them, do you not see all these things? Assuredly? I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down? Matthew, chapter twenty four, verse two. This would have been shocking to hear. The temple was the center of Jewish life, a symbol of God's presence and favor, but Jesus is hinting it something deeper, something beyond the physical. The disciples naturally curious, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age Matthew Chapter twenty four, verse three. They're essentially asking for a timeline, a clear picture of what's going to happen, But instead of giving them a straightforward answer, Jesus begins to describe a series of events, false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes. He warns that these things will happen, but they are not the end. They are, as he puts it, the beginning of sorrows. Matthew, Chapter twenty four, verse eight. Now this is where we can often get stuck. We might start thinking, okay, so what does this mean for us? Are we supposed to be on constant alert, analyzing every earthquake or political event as a sign that the end is near? But Jesus redirects our focus. He says, take heed that no one deceives you. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet Matthew, Chapter twenty four, Verses four and six. What Jesus is really teaching here is that while these events are significant, they are not meant to be our primary concern. Our focus should be on living faithfully and staying grounded in our relationship with him. Yes, he gives us warnings and signs, but these are not to create fear or frantic speculation. They are reminders to stay vigilant, to keep our hearts and our minds. Aligned with God's will. One of the most poignant lessons in this chapter is Jesus's warning about deception. He says, for many will come in my name, saying I am the Christ, and will deceive many Matthew, Chapter twenty four, verse five. Deception is a real danger, especially when we are eager for answers or reassurance about the future. But Jesus is reminding us to keep our eyes on him, to measure everything against his truth, not the noise and confusion of the world. So what does this mean for us to day? It means that our primary task is not to predict the future, but to live faithfully in the present. Jesus calls us to be witnesses of his love and truth, to be beacons of hope in a world that often seems uncertain and chaotic. We aren't religious radicals seeking to dismantle every worldly power, nor are we called to withdraw from the world and fear. Instead, we're called to engage with the world, to live out the Gospel in our communities, our workplaces, our families. Our citizenship is in heaven, but we are called to be good citizens here on earth. We live in the tension of the already and the not yet. The Kingdom of God is here, but it is also coming in fullness. Until that day. Our job is to reflect Christ in everything we do, to be His hands and his feet in a world that desperately needs his love and grace. Jesus's discourse in Matthew chapter twenty four isn't about filling us with fear or confusion about the future. It's about anchoring us and the hope and assurance that no matter what happens, God is in control. The end times, with all their mysteries and uncertainties, are not meant to distract us from our mission, but to remind us of the urgency and importance of living for Christ here and now. So as we go about our lives, let's keep our focus where it needs to be, on loving God, loving others, and sharing the hope we have in Jesus. Let's be people who are not easily shaken by the troubles of the world, but who stand firm in the faith, knowing that our Redeemer is coming. And until that day, let's be found faithful, living each moment for the glory of God and the good of His kingdom.