30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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Luke 21 20-24 WATCH AND PRAY III 02 Luke 21 20 The signs of the times
📖 Luke 21:20-24
*FRIEND OF GOD*
25May2021 - *The signs of the times* - _Luke 21:20-24_ - WATCH AND PRAY III (02) – Bible reading: _II Thessalonians 2:1-3_
The Lord is calling us to observe and watch the signs of the times. Till the very end of this age, we have a purpose to accomplish which is His will for us. Our life has to be a life of excellence for the Lord as we fulfil His plan.
Let us not allow the sorrow and the pain of the present times to weigh us down but let us be strengthened in Him.
_Ephesians 3:16-19 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to *be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man*, (17) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— (19) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God._
The sign of the siege of Jerusalem, which took place in AD 70 is given for us in this verse.
_Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near._ This is an overlapping sign with that of the end of the age. _Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."_
In the first sign, it was a desolation that was to take place and it did take place. The holy land was trampled by the Gentiles for 2000 years. Whereas, the overlapping sign reveals the redemption of His people by the Lord as He appears.
The siege in AD 70 and its horrors are but an outline of the final siege at the end of this age, in which the "great tribulation" culminates. At that time the city will be taken, but delivered by the glorious appearing of the Lord _Revelation_19:11-21_.
What will be the sign of the beginning of the great tribulation?
_Matthew 24:15 “Therefore when you see the 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),_ _Mark 13:14
"So when you see the 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains._
The Lord is referring to the prophecy of Daniel and He is calling that as the sign of the beginning of the great tribulation period before the appearing of the Lord, which is the conclusion.
What were the prophecies of Daniel of the abomination of desolation or transgression of desolation?
There are three passages in Daniel, where he speaks of this sign.
_Daniel 8:13-14 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, "How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and *the transgression of desolation*, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?" (14) And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed."_
_Daniel 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on *the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate*, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."_
_Daniel 12:11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and *the abomination of desolation* is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days._
All of these prophesies are about a person known as *the little horn* by Daniel. _Daniel 8:9 And out of one of them came a *little horn* which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land._
A more detailed description of the little horn or the vile one is given in these passages in Daniel – _Daniel 8:23-24, 7:8, 7:20-26, 11:21, 11:25-45_
Let us now look at the teaching of Apostle Paul on this matter of the evil one and this being the sign of the great tribulation.
_II Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, (2) not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (3) Let no one deceive you by any means; for *that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed*, the son of perdition,_
Paul is making it very clear *that the coming of the Lord Jesus will not happen unless there is first, a falling away and secondly, the son of perdition is revealed*.
What is this falling away? This is explained for us in several places.
_I Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit expressly says that *in latter times some will depart from the faith*, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, (2) speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (3) forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (4) For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; (5) for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer._
This is the kind of teaching that is insensitive to the surrender and leading of the Holy Spirit or unable to be directed by the Holy Spirit but relies on outward performances and experiences of various sorts.
Let us *watch the signs of the times and pray that we will not fall away*.
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you alert, watching and praying that your own heart is not deceived?```