Be On Guard
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, ground us in truth and love and in the knowledge of who You are.
Read Matthew 24:15-25
[15] “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel-let the reader understand- [16] then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. [17] Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. [18] Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. [19] How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! [20] Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. [21] For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again. [22] “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. [23] At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. [24] For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [25] See, I have told you ahead of time. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Are you prepared to stand?Things are going to get worse before they get better. That’s the uncomfortable theme of Jesus’ words in this passage. After his earlier talk of “wars and rumors of wars” (24:6), Jesus now warns his followers of malevolent threats from dark forces, which they’ll face before his return.The “abomination that causes desolation” (15; Dan. 9:27), has been interpreted variously by scholars. It may refer to the erection of a pagan altar in the Jerusalem Temple by Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 B.C.; more widely, however, it may be seen as an embodiment of Satan himself. There are other forces, however, that Jesus tells us to discern, such as false prophets and false messiahs. We’re told they will be powerful (24), but they won’t be of God. Jesus says, “Don’t believe them” (26). We are to be on our guard for these people as they emerge. It is unfashionable and deeply politically incorrect in our proudly “tolerant” society to decry anyone as a false teacher. Yet, Jesus explicitly commands us to do so. We should pray often for discernment and be on guard against deceivers.
Apply
Pray that God would help you to discern wise leadership and lead you away from false teachers.
Closing prayer
Father, help me to prepare my heart so that I might be found standing faithful to You until the very end.
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