Almost everyone is interested in coming events. The Lord’s disciples were no different. They wanted to know what would happen in the future. Perhaps they were looking forward to seeing more prosperous and peaceful days during their lifetime, without any wars, but the Lord painted a very dark picture for them. Those who know Jesus as Savior today will be taken to be with Him before this terrible time falls upon the world in the last days. Judgment is God’s “strange work” (Isaiah 28:2121For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. (Isaiah 28:21)). He takes no pleasure in judgment, so He will shorten the period of great tribulation for the sake of His elect. This should stir us up to warn sinners to “flee from the wrath to come” and to thank the Lord Jesus for keeping us “from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world” (Revelation 3:1010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)).
God, in His mercy, has given us a book, the Bible, which records past history and tells of future events. What He has told us is more stable than heaven and earth. Do you ever thank the Lord Jesus for the Bible? It is God’s personal letter to you and me.
There was a great flood in the days of Noah because of man’s wickedness. We are told that the Son of Man will execute judgment again, taking away the wicked while they are working in the field, in the mill, or wherever they may be. We should expect the Lord to return any day and not be like the evil servant who lived like the ungodly around him.
1. Before the Lord Jesus comes again, there will not be world peace but lots of __________. Matthew 24:___
2. Unbelievers will know that we are the Lord’s disciples if we love one another (John 13:3535By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35)). Because iniquity shall abound in the last days, what will happen to the love of many? __________ Matthew 24:___
3. The days of tribulation that are coming upon the world will be so awful that the Lord says the days will be __________. Matthew 24:___
4. The heaven and earth that we can see will pass away, but one thing will never pass away. What is it? __________ Matthew 24:___
5. An evil servant does evil things with his fellow-servants because he says in his heart, “My lord __________ his coming.” Matthew 24:___