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Leslie Wittenmyer

November 25, 2023

Matthew 24:32-37, New Living Translation

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When it’s branches bud, and its leaves sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. However, no one knows the day or the hour, when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son, himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.”


The world we live in seems to be getting darker by the day. At times, it seems like it’s getting harder and harder to live in this world with a drastic change. Our society is calling good evil and evil good. The worldview seems to be: “If it feels good, I am going to do it.” Morals and values seem to be going out the window.

 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:32-37 (NLT), “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. However, no one knows the day or the hour, when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son, himself. Only the Father knows when the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.”

 

What we can take away from this is this. Recognize the signs of the day we live in. Every day we are getting closer to the return of Jesus. We must not lose hope! We must not lose faith! Let us be encouraged by those who came before us! They didn’t receive the full promise of God but knew their inheritance would be a heavenly kingdom. Look at Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak Sampson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and many more! Pick any one of these individuals from the Old Testament and read their story; see how their faith is put into action. Hebrews 11:1-3 and 7 (NLT) Says this, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is in the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in the days of old earned a good reputation. By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed in God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith, Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.”

 

As we see, we are getting righteousness by faith, we are in a good reputation by faith. We receive an eternal inheritance that saves us from death and destruction by faith. So let us not grow weary. Paul instructs in Galatians 6:9 (NLT), “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up.”

 

I want to encourage us not to lose hope either! We serve a resurrected King, who is very much alive. When He comes back, He won’t come back as the Lamb slain. As John states in Revelation 19:11-16 (NLT), “Then I saw, heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named, Faithful and True, for he judges, fairly, and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood, except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest and pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice, flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh, was written this title: King of all kings, and Lord, of all lords.”We have a hope that never fades! Jesus is coming back as King. He will right every wrong and heal every hurt! Keep your faith, keep your hope, keep your trust, and keep your love in Him! He will see us through to the other side! 

 

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Fathers home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4, NLT)

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