IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Then the End Will Come

Date: Nov. 20, 2015

Passage

Matthew 24:1-14 

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

24:1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

First, false securities and messiahs (1-8). Jesus' disciples were country boys. They were impressed by the big buildings-especially the temple building-in Jerusalem. But Jesus taught them that the things in this world that look so solid and secure will all be destroyed. The end of the age will come climactically, when Jesus comes again (3). We must not be deceived by the false security offered by material things; we must not be fooled by false messiahs or false hopes.

Second, the gospel must first be preached (9-14). As the end approaches, stress increases. God's people are hated and persecuted; many people are and will be deceived by false cults. When wickedness increases, people become fearful and distrustful and love grows cold. God's people must (i) stand firm to the end; (ii) preach the gospel to the whole world.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, warm my cold heart at the fires of your love. Help me to stand firm to the end and preach the gospel to all nations.

One Word: The gospel will be preached

Daily Bread

God is Our Deliverer

Psalm 78:40-72

Key Verse: 78:65

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.

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