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And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
I'm shifting focus to the life of each individual in HIM.
The Word of God is not merely a history lesson. This is your letter from your Father God.
We all have an invitation to leave this planet. Jesus told us God wants to save the world. All who call upon Him will be saved. He is Holy. A God of Wonders. He is the God who understood the man crying out - "I have faith - help me to have more!"
He is the God who chooses to walk our life with us. Jesus sitting to teach, being comfortable with His people. Understanding us. And still reaching His hands in the water to pick up the religious. He will take us by the hand and keep us.
Still sitting with the woman forsaken and ashamed. Willing to do battle with the mighty confronting the weak. Being Wisdom in the language they would understand. Not breaking a bruised reed. Delighting His Father - faithfully bring forth justice. Not lifting up His voice. The still small voice - the coastlands wait for His law - loving others as Himself.
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
God sets us on a path. To grow up and go Home.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along,a and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Exactly.
Life is a little bit like playing in the traffic. Some days you just want to go home. It's the willingness to get in there. Take the clip - the hit - see the win. Sometimes the win is the near miss!!! The ticket is gratitude - seeking the Blessing - by giving the Blessing. Praying for others. People want to know you genuinely care. Taking the mercy, knowing to pray with great glee! For! The merciful! Always.
Our Uncie lived to be 94. He was interested in giving - being in life. Not perfect. But watching his life - I can tell you - he interested Father God. Uncie bypassed Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. As he passed on, he told us about seeing the Kingdom of God. Uncie lived love covers sin. The New Covenant is the Good News - the Kingdom of God - Never has closing gates.
Jesus crossed the 13 mile Sea of Galilee three times in one day. He had people to see.
When Jesus told us when we see Him, we see the Father - Jesus was the Father of the prodigal children. Jesus was running to see us. His Children. Jesus meeting us where we need Him to be. Today.
Luke 9:27
But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God
The Disciples of God did not experience the ruin of Jerusalem and the Temple by Titus. They actually did not face decay, but died vigorous. This is the New Testament. Standing in Christ Jesus.
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
What would give us the power to go forward?
Romans 5:8
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
This is the song of the redeemed!
Jeremiah 15:19
Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them."
How?
Malachi 4:2
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Romans 15:13
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Proverbs 7
My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you
24 And now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
Jesus said -
Luke 19:43
The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.!
And He said - this -
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
and this
Luke 13:2
And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Revelation 22:8a
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down
John goes on to say - do not add to The Word of God. And I will not. I will say by extrapolation that John lived abundantly by continuing to get in there - in mercy, in actions, in the willingness to engage in life. In a life of prayer. In Expecting God to bless him and his ability to be fruitful in life.
(Now you might argue with me and say John was a hermit on Patmos. Um, you think. Roman Emperor Domitian sent John to Patmos because according to Tertullian (son of a Roman centurion, a trained lawyer, and an ordained priest, 2nd Century) in The Prescription of Heretics, John was banished to Patmos. John was still being discussed as alive in the in history books in the second century. Because after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering nothing from it - it was said that all in the entire Colosseum audience were converted to Christianity upon witnessing this miracle. Domitian was the Roman emperor who was known for his persecution of Christians in the late 1st century. And the word traitor is coined from his reign of terror for Domitian's passion in destroying the Word of God. Interestingly enough, See the Ryland Papyrus. And learn with me, John's fate is debated in the - what - SECOND Century History books where he is recorded by early second-century Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus. Historians B.W. Bacon, Martin Hengel and Henry Barclay Swete, maintain these references to Papias are credible. Papias also has recorded John's support for the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. Papias wrote five books interviewing the accuracy of the sayings of Jesus by speaking with witnesses. Eusebuis quoted Papias from time to time.
John's historically religious battle was in 100 A.D. with Cerinthus over the divinity of Christ undone - trying to restore Jewish Law to the early Church. Irenæus of the second century, Epistula Apostolorum, 2nd-century, confirm Cerinthus was an opponent of John. I do believe we far over-emphasize the hermit aspect of John. The early Church did not jump to the idea John were Assumed into Heaven as Jesus was. John's traditional tomb is thought to be located at Selçuk, a small town in the vicinity of Ephesus, 155 kilometers from Hierapolis.)
John lived to OLD!!! Timothy lived to be old. Fruitful. John Mark lived to be old. Luke lived to be old. In Expectation and prayer - let's be like the people of Proverbs who laugh at the time to come. Expecting Jesus - Our Beloved - to do for us in the coming years. All we need is His favor. The disciples who did not show up for Jesus, Son of God, - did not live to be old.
Life will take hard hits, Jesus says go the second mile and shake off the hurt - be willing to go again. With Expectation.
Matthew 8
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
Mark 13:37
What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
<>< !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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