Day 36

Exodus 21:22–23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23

IN MATTHEW’S GOSPEL today, Jesus began a discourse on the future and the nature of the end times. “Don’t let anyone mislead you,” He said. “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah’” (Matthew 24:4-5). He then explained that in the end times, there would be wars, famine, and earthquakes, hatred, persecution, the appearance of false prophets, and rampant sin —very troubling things.

The end times can be a disturbing subject, but as Jesus continues to teach on this topic, we will find that His intention wasn’t to conjure terror. Rather, He sought to provide clarity, awareness, and hope. In today’s reading, Jesus gave specific counsel: “Don’t panic” (Matthew 24:6). According to Jesus, the signs are as birth pains (Matthew 24:8) —and we know that with the pain of birth comes new life.

We indeed long for the restoration of all things. The Bible speaks of this in terms of the Hebrew word shalom. Although we often interpret shalom as “peace,” we are fundamentally speaking of wholeness and restoration —of the way things were always meant to be.* We long for a time when Jesus reigns and shalom is complete, but first, our world will go through a birthing process. We must be vigilant so that we have context and awareness of what is happening around us.

“The one who endures to the end will be saved,” Jesus said. “See, I have warned you about this ahead of time” (Matthew 24:13, 25).

When we allow the darkness that exists in the world to cause anxiety and apprehension, we are approaching the end times incorrectly. According to Jesus, in order for all things to be made new (Revelation 21:5), the world must endure a rebirth. May we, along with the saints of old and the great cloud of witnesses, long for that day and declare, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

MEDITATION:

The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.