We continue on our journey through the Olivet Discourse, a profound prophetic teaching from Jesus. In this episode we’ll more from Matthew 24 and Mark 12, a time Jesus describes as unparalleled in history. A season of unimaginable suffering and upheaval.

References to Bible Verses:

Matthew 24:21-28; Mark 13:19-23; Daniel 12:1; Revelation 7:14; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; 1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 1:7; Acts 1:11; John 16:33

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It is a season of unimaginable suffering and upheaval. Make yourself comfortable while I try to unpack the magnitude of the distress Jesus speaks of and reflect on his assurance that his return will be unmistakable. So let's turn to scripture and find both wisdom and encouragement for the days ahead.

Reflecting on the Passage of Time

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Jason: Well, here we are on the other side of a new year. And every year I cross that threshold into the new year with a mixture of both excitement at the new year and sadness that another year has passed. And I know I've talked about this before, but it's just such an interesting pattern for me. I mean, it's not like we have a choice.

It's going to be a new year whether I like it or not, right? But it's that inevitability we read about in Ecclesiastes, yet these last several years it feels like it comes and goes so much faster, and because of that sometimes I get distracted looking ahead at the milestones coming up and I get lost and not paying attention to what's happening right now.

But I do have a theory on this perception of time passing, Faster as we grow older. Maybe I've mentioned this before, but when I was five years old, a year was one fifth of my entire life. It was like 20 percent of my life. But now that I'm older, a year is closer to one fiftieth of my life, which is like 2%.

I feel like the longer I live, the shorter each year seems because of the ratio of my year to life. It just gets more deluded.

Thankfulness and The New Year

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Jason: But I am thankful. I'm thankful to be here on this earth. I'm thankful to be doing this podcast. I'm thankful for my daughter, for my church, my friends, my family. I'm thankful that God is with me.

And the process is going to be a little rough. For, for more on that, you can check out my Unveiling Revelation series that I published with Laura. But that being said, That being said, the end result is that a wonderful world is going to be right with God when that happens. A world where suffering, sadness, pain, and evil are no more.

I mean, can you, can you imagine at all what that would be like? But for now, I might enjoy another few days of Christmas lights, maybe another cup of eggnog or hot chocolate. I know it's past Christmas, I know it's past New Year, but I just want to enjoy the newness of, of my Christmas gifts and let myself.

Settle into routine again after a few extra days off, but most of all I'm gonna Thank God for the joy and blessings in my life. No matter what comes this year And maybe focus on now, instead of trying to anticipate the road bumps that are coming ahead.

Understanding the Great Tribulation

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Jason: Alright, now that I got that out of the way, let's begin today's journey by focusing on the gravity of the Great Tribulation.

A period that Jesus warns will surpass any hardship humanity has ever endured. In the account of Matthew 24, verses 21 through 22, Jesus tells us, For there will be a great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive.

But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. Wow. Look, Jesus isn't being hyperbolic. He is describing a time so devastating. That it will surpass anything humanity has ever, ever been through, or ever will go through. Imagine the most terrible wars of our history. Imagine the, the plagues, the famines, genocide written in history books.

Nothing will compare to this. This is no ordinary hardship. It's a global crisis that will touch every single corner of the earth. impacting both believers and non believers alike. And when God pours out his wrath, it will truly be a great tribulation.

Scriptural Insights on the Great Tribulation

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Jason: Mark's account is parallel to Matthew's. In Mark 13 verses 19 through 20, he basically explains the same thing, but adds a little bit of detail about God's sovereignty over the entire narrative by calling God out as the creator, emphasizing his control and authority over history.

Both accounts make it clear that this time of suffering is unequ, uh, it's unique. It's unequaled in its intensity and scope. It's a time of chaos and destruction that could completely obliterate life on earth, if not for God's mercy. And Jesus wasn't telling us anything new. He was building on Daniel 12 verse 1, which speaks of a time of unprecedented trouble.

At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as not has happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at the time, your people, everyone whose name is found in the Book of Life, will be delivered. As you can see, Jesus's words here, they echo Daniel's prophecy, showing the continuity of God's redemptive plan.

Both Daniel and Jesus point to a future moment of unprecedented hardship, but also emphasize hope and deliverance for God's people. Now, this connection underscores that the Great Tribulation is not an isolated event, but part of a larger divine narrative revealed through scripture. There's some interesting things to note in this passage.

Michael is often associated with spiritual battles. And he is the archangel, which means he is truly Satan's opposite. Now some mistakenly believe that Jesus is Satan's opposition, but Satan is not equal to God or Jesus. God has no equal. The Jewish people have experienced a lot of troubles throughout history from the fall of Samaria and Jerusalem to the awful things done by Antiochus.

They've suffered The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, persecution from the church during the dark ages, uh, the pogroms, um, of Europe, even the 20th century holocaust. Yet, what Jesus is saying here is that what's coming will be the worst that Israel has ever seen. These things need to happen, because the Great Tribulation is part of God's redemptive plan and a fulfillment of what was foretold centuries earlier.

Now, amid this terrifying description, Jesus offers a glimpse of hope. He assures us that God, in his mercy, will limit the duration of these events. If these days are allowed to continue, humanity wouldn't survive. But for the sake of the elect, those God has chosen and called on, he will cut these days short.

Now, this demonstrates God's faithfulness to his people. Even in the midst of his divine judgment and chaos, God's love remains steadfast. It's a reminder that God's sovereignty governs all things, including the timeline of human history.

Endurance and Faith During Tribulation

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Jason: The Great Tribulation challenges us to reflect on our faith and the endurance required to navigate such trials.

Believers are called to stand firm, even when the world seems to be crumbling around them. Take a look at Revelation 7, 14, which seems to describe those who have come through this time of distress. These are they who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.

I go over this a lot more details with my friend Laura in episode 45, part of our unveiling revelation series. But this verse helps us to remember that the trials we face will refine and purify us. Those who endure the great tribulation are victorious, not because of their strength. But because of their faith in Christ.

Paul also gives us insight into the challenges of the last days in 2 Timothy 3, verses 1 through 5, which reads, But mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Having a form of godliness, but denying its power have nothing to do with such people. Wow I mean to some degree I feel like this was a prophecy of what our modern world would look like While these characteristics may seem very familiar today They will be come even more pronounced as we approach the time of the great distress But even in such dark times we are not without faith in Christ equips us to go through all of this You As we reflect on Jesus's warning and God's mercy, let's ask ourselves, how prepared are we to endure trials?

Are we cultivating the kind of faith that can withstand the storms of life? These passages challenge us to rely on God's strength and trust in His plan, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. Even in the face of such distress, Jesus reminds us that God's hand is always at work, preserving and protecting his people.

Let's hold on to this truth as we continue to explore the depths of his teaching in the Olivet Discourse.

Warnings Against Deception

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Jason: Now, in the midst of the Great Tribulation, Jesus warns us not only of the physical suffering and distress, but also of a grave spiritual threat, the rise of false messiahs and false prophets. These individuals will attempt to deceive the masses, even leading astray many of those who are faithful.

This isn't the first time Jesus speaks of deception, but here he describes it with a heightened sense of urgency, as the stakes during this period will be greater than ever. In Matthew 24, verses 23 through 26, Jesus says, At that time, if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Messiah, or there he is, do not believe it.

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs of wonders to deceive. See, I have told you ahead of time, so if anyone tells you there he is out in the wilderness, do not go out, or here he is in the inner rooms, do not believe it. So in this verse, Jesus reveals the sophisticated nature of these deceptions.

These false messiahs and false prophets won't merely claim divine authority. They will back their claims with signs and wonders so convincing that even God's chosen people could be at risk of being led astray. Now in Mark's account, in Mark 13, verses 21 through 23, it mirrors these warnings, but adds Jesus's personal exhortation.

So be on your guard. I have told you everything ahead of time. Now Mark emphasizes preparation, reminding us that Jesus has equipped us with knowledge and insight so we can avoid being caught off guard. The signs and wonders Jesus speaks of are not mere illusions or tricks. They are extraordinary events intended to persuade and overwhelm.

These deceptive works are described elsewhere in Scripture, particularly in 2 Thessalonians 2 verses 9 and 10, where Paul writes, The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.

These methods prey on human vulnerability. They exploit fear, cause confusion, and a desire for hope in desperate times. They serve a singular purpose, to divert attention and allegiance away from the true Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. Believers must remain steadfast, avoiding the allure of the spectacular display that contradicts God's revealed word.

Satan's strategy has always been to counterfeit God's truth with convincing lies and this period will mark his most Deceptive efforts. So how do we guard against such deception? Jesus gives us a clear directive. Don't believe it in Matthew 24 25 He says see I have told you ahead of time the first line of defense is awareness Skepticism, knowing what is coming, allows us to be prepared.

The second and most critical defense is rooted in knowing God's word and standing firm in it. First John 4 verses 1 through 3, John warns the early church to test the spirits. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

This is how you can recognize the spirit of God. But every spirit that acknowledges That Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist which you have heard is coming, and even now is already in the world.

This passage provides a litmus test for discerning, for discerning, whether a message is from God. Does it acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? This is the core of the gospel. In any prophecy or teaching that denies this foundational truth is not from God, no matter how convincing the signs may seem.

Above all, the key to avoiding deception is to be intimately familiar with God's Word. Jesus often used scripture to combat deception as he, as his followers, we are called to do the same. And knowing scripture is not just about memorization, it's about internalizing God's truth, so that when falsehoods arise, we can immediately recognize them.

We feel that something is off, and we can go and verify it in God's word. By staying grounded in the Bible and remaining vigilant, we can discern what is true and what is a lie. The world will become increasingly confused, but as believers who know and love God's Word, we can stand firm, just as the elect are called to do.

The power of deception will be in their signs and wonders, but these will not be from God. As Jesus warned, we must remain vigilant and discerning. Knowing God's words are not led astray. We must test the spirits, measure everything by the truth of scripture, and hold fast to the unchanging message of the gospel.

By doing so, we can navigate the challenging days ahead and stay true to the faith we profess.

The Unmistakable Return of Christ

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Jason: In a world filled with deception and false claims about the Messiah's return, Jesus provides a powerful assurance. When he comes again, it will be undeniable, visible to all, and unlike anything we've ever seen before.

Now let's start reading Matthew 24, verses 27 and 28. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there will be vultures gathering. Jesus compares his return to a flash of lightning that illuminates the sky.

Vultures gathering around a carcass. This imagery conveys that his next coming, his second coming, will be instantaneous, dramatic, and unmistakable. Just as no one misses a lightning strike lighting up the heavens, no one is going to miss the return of the Son of Man. He won't be hidden or confined to a specific location.

Unlike false messiahs who make secretive, localized claims, Jesus's coming will be a global event, impossible, impossible to overlook. And this reinforces Revelation 1 verse 7, which proclaims, Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him, and all the peoples on the earth will mourn because of him.

So shall it be. Amen. The global nature of Christ's return is emphasized here. Every eye will see him. This assurance gives us confidence to dismiss any claim that Christ has returned in secret or that his coming is confined to a particular group or place. The gathering of vultures in Matthew 24 28 may seem a little bit unusual in its imagery, but it carries a profound meaning.

Vultures gather around a carcass, and that signifies the inevitability of judgment. Just as the presence of vultures signals death and decay, so will the signs of Christ's return be clear and unavoidable. It reminds us that His coming will bring divine justice and fulfillment. Of God's plan. I mean this imagery serves as a stark contrast to the deception of false messiahs Their promises are misleading and empty, but the return of Jesus will bring ultimate clarity and truth for believers This is a message of great comfort We don't need to worry about missing christ's return or being tricked into following false saviors Jesus himself assures us that his coming will be evident to all.

And this is echoed in the words of the angels in Acts 1 verse 11 after Jesus ascends into heaven. Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Just as Jesus ascended Visibly and powerfully, he will return in the same unmistakable manner.

Jesus warnings against localized or secretive claims about his return are clear. Do not believe it. If someone says he's in the wilderness or he's in the inner room, we are to dismiss these claims outright. His return will not need any validation from others. It will be self evident. This truth should encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in the certainty of Christ's return.

We don't need to chase after signs or follow rumors. We can focus on living faithfully, knowing that when the time comes, it will be unmistakable. Jesus return will bring justice, restoration, and the fulfillment of God's plan. Promises. Let this assurance fill us with hope and readiness as we await that glorious day.

Final Thoughts and Farewell

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Jason: God has given us His Word, not only as a guide, but as a shield against the lies and confusion of the world. As we await the fulfillment of his promises, we are called to hold fast the hope and faith we have in Christ. Jesus offers us words of comfort and assurance in John 16 33. I have told you these things.

So that in me you may have peace in this world, you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world. These words remind us that no matter how dark or how challenging the days may seem, Jesus has already won the ultimate victory. His return will bring restoration and justice, fulfilling God's perfect plan.

Thank you again for listening. If you are enjoying this podcast, I ask you to go visit my website, MyMinistryMission. com. You can send me a message, access my podcast. Be sure to click the join the mission to find ways you can help My Ministry Mission grow. But until next time, remember to love each other, remember to read your Bibles, and may the Lord bless you and keep you.

God bless everyone and Happy New Year!