Scripture
Vs 1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”
Vs 2 And Jesus said to him, “… There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
VS 5 … “See that no one leads you astray. …”
VS 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.
Vs 7 “… do not be alarmed. …”
Vs 9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils … to bear witness before them.”
VS 10 “And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.”
Vs 11 “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious … for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
Vs 23 “But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.”
VS 27 “… He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”
Vs 33 “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.”
Vs 34 “… stay awake.”
VS 35 “… stay awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come …”
VS 37 “… what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
Observation
The disciples are in awe and wonder at the temple.
Jesus pops their bubble of wonder … He warns them the temple is coming down entirely.
Then Jesus gives a series of greater and more personal warnings …
“Do not be lead astray!” … Many will be!
“Do not be alarmed!” … You will be delivered over!
“Be on guard! … Be on guard! … Be on guard!” …. Three times Jesus says this to His disciples!!
“Do not be anxious!” … It’s the Holy Spirit that will speak, not you!
“Stay awake! … Stay awake! … Stay awake!” … Three times Jesus says this to “all”!
“Gathered” … This is the ultimate status of the elect.
Application
I am often “awed” and in “wonder” at structures in nature and those that man has created.
That’s ok, but I must keep perspective … it’s all at the fingertips and will of God.
There will be plenty of “destruction” and “delivering over” coming.
But with the proper perspective, I do not have to be “alarmed”.
And I do not have to be “lead astray”.
How can I live with a proper and wise perspective?
Jesus tells me how:
I already have the warnings of Jesus … So, I don’t have to be “alarmed” by any of it!
I will have the words of the Holy Spirit … So, I don’t have to be “anxious” by any of it!
How do I live in the meantime? ON GUARD & AWAKE!!
These are the thrice repeated warning of Jesus!
Be AWAKE … but even more than that …
Be ON GUARD!
Am I alert and aware of the times, my surroundings, my activities and the Christian pursuits in the world?
Why will I endure trials? … “to bear witness”!
Why will there be persecution and a scattering of believers? … “the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.”
And then what?
After the scattering will be a “gathering”!
I do not have be anxious.
I do not have to be alarmed.
Because I will be gathered … by a protective, and loving Father.
Until then … stay awake!
Prayer
Thank you, God, for Your Word
Help me see the times as you unfold them
Help me have your wisdom and not be anxious
Give me words Holy Spirit
Keep me On Guard and Awake
In Jesus name
Amen