Waiting! Expectantly!

I want you all to go back in time with me for a moment when you were a child. E didn’t have xbox, or playstation, or video games. We actually went outside and played face to face with our friends. If you were like me, you'd gather with your friends in the neighborhood and would be out most of the day. I'd be gone for hours. But there was something about Mom's voice. When it was time for dinner, you could hear all of the neighborhood mothers out on their porches calling for their kids. But no matter how far away I was, I could always hear Mom's distinctive voice call my name. There was no mistaking her voice or her call to me.

One day Jesus is coming back, and the signs of His return will be clear and unmistakable. It will be obvious. Even though we don't know for sure when it will be, Jesus’ return will be a powerful, can't-miss-it event. I didn't always want to come in when Mom called, but when Jesus returns, I'll gladly welcome that moment to go home and be with Him. How about you? We continue today in Matthew 24 where Jesus told us what that day will be like.

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For the past couple of weeks, we have been talking about what to expect as we approach the end times when Jesus returns. In Matthew's writing today, he teaches us that the true Messiah’s coming will not be secret or hidden. His coming is not going to just be seen by a select group. It will be something that is visible to everyone. Jesus taught us to be aware of all the false claims about His identity and His return, no matter how compelling or convincing they may sound.

Matthew 24:23-25 – “If anyone tells you then, ‘See, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note: I have told you in advance.”

If any of us ever saw someone that was in danger, we would surely extend a warning to them, but we would especially warn those we love and care about. Jesus cares so deeply for His followers. We saw last week that Jesus cares so deeply for His children that He will shorten the period of tribulation for their sake. Now we read that Christ's care for His people is so deep that He warned them of the danger of being deceived by false religious peddlers.

Notice that Jesus warned of both false Messiahs and false prophets. What's the difference in these two groups? False Messiahs are those who claim to be the Christ - the anointed one from God. False prophets are those who claim to have the truth revealed to them by God, possibly in a hoax that supports one of the false messiahs.

These false Messiahs and Prophets are quite deceptive. They can be very convincing because they supposedly back up their claims by performing great signs and wonders to lead us astray. Unfortunately, miracles are a part of their deception. But it’s all smoke and mirrors. God's word warns us that Satan and demons can seemingly do such marvels in an attempt to deceive people.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – “The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie, 10 and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.”

Because of this, Christians should be prepared to identify false teachings that don’t align with God's word. Once again here is an encouragement for us to read God's word and know what it says.

Jesus gives us some encouragement in His description of the end times. The false Messiahs and false prophets won't be able to pull off deceiving the true Christ- followers. They will attempt to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Satan has never been able to deceive true believers about the identity of their Lord. This is how Jesus said it:

John 10:27-29 – “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

You might remember that Jesus said earlier in Matthew 24:13, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” And now we see that, while believers are not immune to the attacks of these false Messiahs, God will protect them from renouncing their belief in Him. God's elect can be tempted and persuaded. That’s you and me as God's children. They may even be put to death, but they won’t fall for the deadly bait of the deceivers. Peter said this: