Luke 21:9 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” --NIV In the name of the One Who is often imitated, but never equaled, amen.
Not everyone who comes in the name of Christ is from Christ. There are many who want to deceive us. But we have been warned, and being forewarned is being armed. Christ will not return in any sort of quite way. He will come suddenly for all to see. There will be no room for doubt about His return.
And that return certainly is near—but don’t follow me; follow Christ. We see wars and revolutions. They are signs that must come before the end. Yet Jesus says that the end will not come immediately. Well, those wars and revolutions have been going on for centuries, so we are well past the “right away” point.
So again I say, “Follow Christ.” By following Christ you will be ready when He returns. The signs are fulfilled; our salvation is near. Amen.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are frightening events taking place in the world today. Guard our precious faith and keep us from following false teachers, amen.
Copyright 2001 Reformation Lutheran Church http://ReformationChurch.org