WHEN WILL JESUS RETURN AND PASS JUDGMENT ON YOU AND ME?

I have felt the Lord inspiring (urging) me to distribute a devotional
from Him that is His wakeup call to mankind that Jesus could be
returning soon. Of course, none of us know what “soon” means to
the Lord; it could be years, months or days. Only God knows when
He will send Jesus to take to heaven with Him all those who belong
to His family. However, we should be prepared for the possibility of
His return at any time.

This devotional is a little longer than the ones God gives me to share,
but I truly believe it is a message He wants us to hear. Jesus spent
approximately six hours on the cross for you and me, so spending an
extra 5-10 minutes to read His message to us is nothing in comparison.

We are told that when Jesus returns, our world today will be similar
(or maybe worse) than it was during the days of Noah before the flood.
So, what was it like in the days of Noah?
    As it was in the days of Noah, so it
    will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
    (Matthew 24:37)

The days of Noah were marked by widespread wickedness and corruption,
which led to God’s decision to send a flood to cleanse the earth. It was such
an evil time that Noah was the only righteous person who found favor with
God.

In Genesis 6:5, we read,
    “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human
      race had become on the earth, and that every inclination
      of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”

This universal evil created a society filled with violence
and immorality, as noted in Genesis 6:11-12, which says,
    “the earth was corrupt in God’s sight,
      and the earth was filled with violence.”

God’s decision to flood the earth was His response to the overwhelming
wickedness of humanity. When He saw the evil actions of the people, He
expressed regret for creating mankind.
    The Lord regretted that He had made human beings
    on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled.
    (Genesis 6:6)

The days of Noah serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences
of widespread moral decay, and at the same time, emphasizes the
importance of living righteously. During the days before the flood,
we can see God’s mercy and patience. But the flood serves as God’s
warning to mankind that He has limitations to the pervasiveness of
evil, and He will ultimately pass harsh and final judgment on evilness.

The story of Noah and the flood encourage us to evaluate our own
personal conduct and the societal values of mankind in our world.
They also urge every person to seek righteousness in a world that
often seems indifferent and/or opposed to moral truths.

How does our world today compare to the “days of Noah”?
Here are just a few things to consider:

Evil is favored over righteousness:
Our society….
    – Coddles criminals over crime fighters.

    – Favors law breakers over law enforcers.

    –  Hates law and order so much that it wants to inflict
       financial hardships on law enforcement so they will disappear.
       Why? Because sin doesn’t want any restrictions.

    – Breaks the laws of God and wants to break man-made laws as well.

    – Has a disdain for God’s laws and wants to celebrate for all the
       world to see, the violation of His instructions for mankind.

    – Accuses those who respect and obey God’s laws as intolerant people.

    – Has the opinion that God made mistakes in creating some people, but
       since they were honest mistakes by Him, mankind will use its medical
       ingenuity to correct His flawed efforts.

    – Believes that God is confused and wrong about His guidelines/rules for
       marriage and relationships with others, so mankind will ‘help God out’
       by redefining marriage and offering more options.

    – Believes that God lacks a broader understanding of the path to Heaven
       for mankind. He was narrow-minded and completely overlooked other
       options, so mankind has created more paths to Heaven, and deemed
       that one of them is the only path. Mankind has become so demented
       that if others don’t choose to worship the substitute god they’ve created,
       then they should not only be ignored, ostracized, and deemed intolerant,
       but should be viewed as a threat.

What are some of the results of mankind’s reengineering
to correct what it believes are flaws in the efforts of our Creator?
    – Children are dishonoring and disrespecting parents;
       there is a growing number of children who choose to
       estrange themselves from their family.
           “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may
             live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
             (Exodus 20:12)

    – Parents are abusing and deserting children; some are even
       justifying the destruction of what God has created. There
       has been a universal lack of belief in the sanctity of life at
       one level, and it has created a lack of respect for life at all
       levels.
           We have seen the profound impact on our world today by
           the increase of senseless murders. Crimes of theft include
           murder in some instances. Murder, not because the victim
           resisted, but because a perpetrator was filled with an evil
           that felt no remorse for destroying one of God’s creations.
               “You shall not murder.”
               (Exodus 20:13)

    – Some are choosing to create and worship their own gods, which
       include the god of lust, the god of money, the god of pleasure as
       a replacement for righteousness, the god of man’s desires as a
       replacement for God’s will, etc.
           “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
            (Exodus 20:3)

    – Profanity has become accepted as ‘normal language’, even by
       those who are in leadership positions. Some also misuse the
       name of God by claiming to follow Jesus, but living a life that
       is contrary to the example He gave us for righteous living.
           “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,
              for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses
              His name.”
              (Exodus 20:7)

    – Having sexual relationships outside the bond of matrimony
       has been redefined as only an ‘affair’, rather than what God
       calls it, which is ‘adultery’. Using the word “affair” sounds less
       severe than what God calls a violation of His laws.
           “You shall not commit adultery.”
           (Exodus 20:14)

    – Some claim the oppressed have a right to take what doesn’t belong to them.
           “You shall not steal.”
            (Exodus 20:15)

    – Lying has become acceptable as a means of swaying the opinions of others.
       It has been used by news media as a way of influencing others to choose
       the leaders it favors. Many news reporters no longer report the facts, but
       consider themselves as journalists who slant the truth (and lies) in their
       efforts to cause others to believe as they do. As a result, the news media
       has evolved into an untrusted societal blight with a purpose of influencing
       others to agree with their choices of what is good, right, and acceptable.
       In addition, it strives to discredit and condemn those who believe God is
       sovereign and His laws are superior to what man creates as a replacement.
           “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
            (Exodus 20:16)

    – Pursuing what belongs to others is not only accepted but is encouraged.
       in our world today. Commercials are often slanted toward promoting
       good as evil, and evil as good.
           “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall
              not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female
              servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to
              your neighbor.”
              (Exodus 20:17)

    – The one day of the week designated by God as His day is being
       disrespected and filled with replacements for worshipping and
       praising our Creator (the media even encourages mankind to
       participate in things contrary to God’s will). Our ancestors might
       not have gotten everything right, but many of them respected
       God enough to attend His house on His day.
           “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
           (Exodus 20:8)

Some say the Old Testament is irrelevant, but when we read it, we find
that it is filled with valuable information, which includes pointing us to
the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His judgment on mankind.
    At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people,
    will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not
    happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at
    that time your people—everyone whose name is found written
    in the book—will be delivered.
    (Daniel 12:1)

The disciples of Jesus wanted to know more about the “end times”.
    As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came
    to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen,
    and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
    (Matthew 24:3)

As believers and followers of Christ, we are His disciples and we
are also curious about when He will return. Of course, none of
us knows when He will return, but Jesus gives us some signs
which indicate when His return is near.

Most of us want to think of death and the return of Jesus as things way out
in the future. We try not to think about either one of them as something that
could happen at any time. However, both are realities that we need to prepare
for.

Salvation is our free gift from God that includes our responsibility to live
a new life of righteousness. It’s not a challenge of working to ensure the
‘good’ in our life outweighs the ‘bad’. When we are saved by God, we are
expected to make a full commitment to living righteously and pleasing the
Lord becomes our top priority.
    Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,
    sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those
    who are His,” and, “Everyone who confesses the
    name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
    (2 Timothy 2:19)

Does it mean a change of our lifestyle? Of course it does. Before we were
granted His salvation, our life leaned toward unrighteousness but as a
result of being saved, we call on the Holy Spirit to guide us in reversing
our direction. A change of this magnitude is not something we can achieve
in our own strength.

In addition, the Lord begins a sanctification process in us that purges our
unrighteousness and fills the void with righteousness. We should expect
these changes and if we aren’t experiencing them, then we might wonder
if we really belong to Him.

When He is sanctifying us, we can be faced with many new challenges, and
one of the most glaring ones is releasing our grip on certain sinful habits we
have had for years. It could be a blatant sin that we know is wrong, or it
could be an attitude or lack of love for others, and for Him.

Regardless of what area of our life needs changing, the Lord is aware of it
and when He transforms us, out of His love for us, He will make us aware
of what needs changing and help us to release our grip on the things that
are not pleasing to Him.
    For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but
    the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
    (1 Peter 3:12)

Even if His method is painful, He loves us too much to allow us to continue
in sinful ways, and His efforts to change us are our assurance that we belong
to Him. He wouldn’t be changing us if we aren’t one of His, right? We have
a choice to reject or rebel against what He is doing, or we can embrace His
loving efforts to transform us from who we are, to who He wants is to be.
It’s not something playful but it is a serious choice that will determine how
we live now, and how we will be judged at the end of our life journey.
    Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but
    be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
    Then you will be able to test and approve what
    God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
    (Romans 12:2)

    And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate
    the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His
    image with ever-increasing glory, which comes
    from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
    (2 Corinthians 3:18)

    Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly
    we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being
    renewed day by day.
    (2 Corinthians 4:16)

    But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await
    a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the
    power that enables Him to bring everything under His
    control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will
    be like His glorious body.
    (Philippians 2:20-21)

    Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
    nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and
    greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God
    is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once
    lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things
    as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from
    your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your
    old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is
    being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
    (Colossians 3:5-10)

    May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through
    and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept
    blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

    But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters
    loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be
    saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through
    belief in the truth.
    (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

    “Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace,
     which can build you up and give you an inheritance
     among all those who are sanctified.
     (Acts 20:32)

Jesus tells us there will be signs to alert us when His return is imminent.

First of all, Jesus tells us to be aware that there will be many
who claim to represent Him, but they are in fact, deceivers.
    Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
    For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’
    and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,
    but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen,
    but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and
    kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes
    in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
    (Matthew 24:4-8)
        We have witnessed “deceivers” in the form of evangelists with
        many followers, who have been exposed for everything from
        financial indiscretions to adulterous relationships.

We have also seen “wars” (Gulf War, Afghanistan War, etc.)
and heard “rumors of wars” that later came to fruition.
Example:
    Russian invasion of Ukraine and Georgia;
    this is an example of, “nations rising against nations”.

From the invasion of Ukraine, and the apparent alliance of China
and Russia, we have heard rumors of potential nuclear wars.
Note:
    The senseless murders of innocent women and children
    highlights the magnitude of evilness that exists in the world.

“Famines” are created today because of climatic factors such
as drought, tsunamis, economic shocks (such as rapid inflation),
and violent conflict (wars), or to fund other selfish political desires.

For example, the famine in Somalia was caused by a severe drought,
a dramatic spike in the cost of food, the damaging effect of conflict,
and a devastating loss of purchasing power. These occurred on top
of long-term environmental degradation, deteriorating opportunities
in agricultural and pastoral livelihoods (managing livestock), and the
absence of a central state of authority.

When we analyze the devastating effects of socialism (promoted
by many), we can see the potential for a “political induced famine”
as inflation makes it difficult for families to provide for their needs.

As of the creation of this devotional, we have seen “runaway inflation”
resulting from poor (or calculated) decisions, by those in leadership
positions. In America, God has provided us with energy resources,
but some leaders have chosen to ignore what He has given, and to
instead pay higher prices for resources from other parts of the world.
It raises concerns regarding ulterior motives and personal gain for
those making these decisions.

Socialism is tailor made for the Antichrist’s appearance. It continues
to create conditions that bring about great stress and trouble, which
causes difficult times that are hard to bear. It also demands a one
world government system, (which scripture says will be established
before the end of history).

Under socialism, the government becomes the exclusive authority and
regulator of the means of productivity. The truth is, governments are
often influenced by certain individuals, who crave authority, and are
filled with selfish greed. As more authority is transferred to government,
the few at the top become authoritarian while the masses suffer the effects
of their decisions.

This is how socialism manifests itself in a contemporary society.

Socialism:
    Wants us to forget the past (destruction of monuments and statues).

    Wants us to stop worshipping together. This fire has been
    fueled by the pandemic, but thankfully God has allowed
    worship to continue through social media.

    Wants to legislate the poor into prosperity,
    by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

    Means that what one person receives without working,
    another person must provide for, by working without receiving.

    Means the government must take from someone
    working, and give to those who choose not to work.

    Wants to increase wealth by dividing it
    (which is a foolish proposition).

When half of the people get the idea that they don’t have
to work because the other half is going to take care of them,
and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to
work because someone else is going to get what they have
earned, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

The scriptures tell us:
    For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:
    “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
    (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

These scriptures support ownership of private property
which contradicts the ideas of Marxism (aka socialism):
    Exodus 22;
    Exodus 20:15;
    Exodus 20:17

Socialism and Marxist ideas emerged long after the Bible
was written, but that doesn’t mean scripture is silent about
the trouble behind this ideology. The Bible gives us economic
principles that point us away from socialism concepts.

Consider the following:
    There is dignity in work.
        “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let
          him labor, working with his hands what is good,
          that he may have something to give him who has need.”
          (Ephesians 4:28)

    Trust God’s ability to provide through the local church.
        “And remain in the same house, eating and drinking
          such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of
          his wages. Do not go from house to house.”
          (Luke 10:7)

    Laziness should not be tolerated.
        “For even when we were with you, we commanded
          you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
          (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

    Scripture affirms providing
    for our families and saving for the future.
        “Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous
          are rewarded with good things. A good man
          leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
          but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the
          righteous.”
          (Proverbs 13:21-22)

    Thriftiness is encouraged.
        “There is desirable treasure, and oil in the
          dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.”
          (Proverbs 21:20)

    The Lord expects us to be
    wise stewards of the resources He gives us.
        “So you ought to have deposited my money with
          the bankers, and at my coming I would have
          received back my own with interest.”
          (Matthew 25:27)

    We have a right to protect our private
    property and seek restitution when it is stolen.
        “If a man delivers to his neighbor money
          or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of
          the man’s house, if the thief is found, he
          shall pay double.”
          (Exodus 22:7)

    Private property is an asset that we
    can use for the benefit of God’s people.
        “Nor was there anyone among them who lacked;
          for all who were possessors of lands or houses
          sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things
          that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet;
          and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
          And Joseph, who was also named Barnabas by the
          apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement),
          a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it,
          and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
          (Acts 4:34-37)

    Scripture teaches us to respect
    the personal property of others.
        “You shall not steal.”
        (Exodus 20:15)

    We should be content
    with what we have, even if others have more.
        “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house;
          you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,
          nor his male servant, nor his female servant,
          nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that
          is your neighbor’s.”
          (Exodus 20:17)

Earthquakes:
    The annual number of “great” earthquakes nearly tripled over
    the last decade, providing a reminder to us that unruptured faults
    (like those in the northwest United States) might be due for a Big One.
    The analysis of seismic activity by Rystad Energy reveals that tremors
    of above the magnitude of 2 on the Richter scale quadrupled in 2020
    and are on track to increase even more in frequency.

Jesus said that these are the “beginning of birth pains”, so what
are we to do with this information (predicted in the Bible)? Jesus
said we should be aware of the nearness of His return.
    “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as
      its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know
      that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these
      things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
      (Mathew 24:32-33)

In other words, we should not ignore these signs as the world
would encourage us to do. Instead, we should be striving to
grow closer to the Lord and have a burning desire to see
lost souls hear the Gospel and receive salvation.

We should be actively using our spiritual gift (or gifts) the
Lord has given us for pointing the lost souls toward Jesus.
Those who do not belong to the family of God need to seek
Him and receive His salvation while they still have a choice.

We should feel a sense of urgency to eliminate the sinful
things in our lives that we planned to correct ‘some day’.
That ‘some day’ needs to be ‘today’. We should actively
strive to know the Lord and discover His plans for us.
    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
      enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one
      who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
      Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did
      we not prophesy in your name and in your name
      drive out demons and in your name perform many
      miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never
      knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
      (Matthew 7:21-23)

It has been said that the Bible contains over 3000 promises and
many of them have already been fulfilled. One of those promises
is that Jesus will return and all people will be judged (the lost will
be condemned to an eternal hell, and the saved will be judged on
how well they have served the Lord).

We have no reason to believe that this promise will not be fulfilled
the same as all others have been. The return of Jesus, and His call for
believers to serve Him now should not be taken lightly, but should
become a high priority in the lives of everyone, and especially the
followers of Christ.

The most critical decision we will ever make is the one that determines
where we will spend eternity. Satan wants to convince us that believing
in God is a myth. He wants to persuade us that even if we have chosen to
believe what we are told in God’s Word, we still have plenty of time left
to surrender our lives to Him. But the question we should ask ourselves
is, “Do we have time, or should we expect Jesus to return any day?”

The people before the flood were living their lives without any concern
regarding their relationship with their Creator. Will we have the same
fate as them, or will we learn from their mistakes? Will we change our
lifestyle, attitude and priorities so we can anticipate the return of Jesus?
    “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels
      in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days
      of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the
      days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying
      and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and
      they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came
      and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the
      Son of Man.”
      (Exodus 24:36-39)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises in Your Word.
Thank You for Jesus and the sacrifice He made for all mankind.
Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit as an advocate for those
who have chosen to be followers of Christ; those who have received
Your salvation. Thank You for the spiritual gifts You have given us
to use in serving You as an expression of our thankfulness for Your
blessing of salvation. Forgive me for allowing Satan and sin to have
control of me in such a way that I have procrastinated my plans to
forsake sin and its temptations and grow closer to You. Help me to
change my ‘some day’ plans to ‘today’ and show me what You want
me to do that will contribute to Your earthly ministry of seeking and
saving those who are lost and have an eternal destiny with hell.”

JESUS TELLS US ABOUT THE SIGNS OF THE END TIMES

BIBLE PASSAGE:
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples
came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this
happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the
end of the age?”
(Matthew 24:3)

MEDITATION:
The disciples had questions about when Jesus would return, and
centuries later, we still have the same concern. As we observe the
corruption of morals in our world today (many which blaspheme
God’s standards and guidelines for living), we might ask ourselves
this question:
    “How much of this will God continue to allow,
      before He decides this is enough, and sends
      Jesus to rapture the Godly and pass judgement
      on the ungodly?”

We could list all the signs of evilness in the world today, but the
list would be incredibly long, and besides, it’s not the number of
the types of sinfulness that’s important, it’s the rotting decay of
morals and disrespect of God that should be our concern.

However, we need to look at some of the acts of nature which
could be alerting everyone that the return of Jesus is on a
‘fast track’ of occurring sooner than we might imagine.

God promised that He would not destroy the people of the world again
with a flood (as He did in the days of Noah). He even made a covenant
with mankind and used the rainbow as a reminder of His promise.
Some have taken His symbol of the rainbow and used it as a rallying
point for lifestyles which are opposed to God’s guidelines for living
righteous lives, which are aligned with the type of life Jesus lived.

Although God promised not to destroy the unrighteous with a flood,
we have seen an unprecedented number of devastating floods recently
in all parts of the world. Could this be God’s way of reminding us of
the last time He passed judgment on the sins of the world. Could God
possibly be saying to mankind:
    “Don’t forget that in the past I destroyed mankind which
      chose sinfulness over righteousness, and I will do it again.
      I won’t use a great flood this time, but when you see the
      increase in flooding, it is My reminder to mankind that
      judgment is getting nearer, and each person should make
      a choice of which group you want to be in when the final
      judgment occurs”
          “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then
            choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
            whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the
            Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land
            you are living. But as for me and my household, we will
            serve the Lord.”
            (Joshua 24:15)

In Matthew, Jesus gives the disciples (and us) additional signs
of His pending return and the final judgment of mankind:

For many will come in my name, claiming,
‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.
(Matthew 24:5)
    This is an indication of the rise of false religions appearing
    around the world. Religions that are focused on following
    a human being instead of the Lord.

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are
not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
(Matthew 24:6)
    This is a testament to the kind of unrest we see in our world
    today as wars continue rage, fueled by hate and/or greed.

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
(Matthew 24:7a)
    We can see how this warning is being played out today
    through bloodshed and loss of lives when two or more
    nations engage in senseless warfare over territories and
    ideologies.

    However, we can also see the same thing happening within
    within one nation as different groups of people align with
    the leader who fits their ideology and desires (some which
    are bent on defying God’s principles for living a life of one
    who is destined for a Heavenly home).

    Unfortunately, some are blind to the hidden personal agenda
    of the leader they have chosen. Some leaders ‘talk’ as if they
    are concerned about those who are following them, but the
    reality is, they could care less about others as they pursue
    their own selfish desires of wealth and fame.

There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
(Matthew 24:7b)
    During the last decade, we have seen an increase in the number
    and the magnitude of earthquakes. They are even occurring
    in the depths of the seas and causing devastating tsunamis.

At that time many will turn away from
the faith and will betray and hate each other,
(Matthew 24:10)
    Many churches are closing their doors today due to the
    lack of interest and participation of those who no longer
    worship the Lord, but have chosen to replace worship
    with efforts to satisfy their own selfish desires (which
    leaves no time for God).

and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
(Matthew 24:11)
    Another reminder of the rise of false religions. How do we
    know they are false? We know because they are focused on
    things, ideologies or people that are not aligned with Jesus
    and His definition of righteous living.

Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of most will grow cold,
(Matthew 24:12)
    We have seen the fading away of true love as wickedness
    continues to increase. Things that God intended for good
    have been abused and corrupted. Instead of sex being an
    expression of love between a married man and woman, it
    has been corrupted and considered a physical activity for
    selfish pleasure, which is far removed from the intentions
    of God. Mankind has also chosen to redefine many of God’s
    principles to align with a sinful lifestyle they have chosen
    for themselves.

but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(Matthew 24:13)
    We are reminded that even when the world grows darker
    spiritually, those who choose to remain focused on the Lord
    and His standards for mankind, will be in the group chosen
    for a heavenly home when Jesus returns.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole
world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
(Matthew 24:14)
    The last indicator from Jesus of the final judgment is
    that the true gospel of salvation will be preached to
    the entire world. It might have seemed impossible
    at one time, but with the availability of the internet
    and many other social media venues, all parts of the
    world have been brought closer together.

Jesus tells us that nobody (including Himself) knows when God will
trigger the final judgment of mankind, and this devotional He gave
me is not intended to establish any kind of timeline.

It is important for all of us to realize that God is real, Jesus really died
so we could be saved, Jesus was really resurrected and is now with God
the Father, sinful lifestyles lead to an eternity of pain and suffering,
righteous lifestyles lead to salvation and a heavenly home, and God
keeps His promises, so there will be a final judgment.

ACTION:
It certainly seems that God is reminding us that the world as we know
it will pass away, and when it does, there are only two destinations for
every individual:
    – We can choose to receive God’s offer of
         salvation, and commit to following His Son, Jesus
  or
    – We can choose to live a lifestyle of selfish pleasure
         and have no interest in a relationship with the Lord.

One choice creates a destiny with a new and blissful home in Heaven,
and the other one will result in an eternal existence of pain and agony
(including the realization of paradise lost). It is a choice nobody else
can make for us, but one that each person must make for themselves.

None of us know when Jesus will return and we will face our final
judgement, but we need to be living our lives as if could be today.
None of us want to stand before Jesus and hear Him say:
    “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
    (Matthew 7:23)

Each of us should ask ourselves these questions:
    – Was God speaking directly to me with His devotional?
    – How does God want me to respond to what He has
       given me to read?
    – What is my status regarding eternity?
    – Are there decisions and changes I need to make?
    – What will I hear the Lord say to me at the judgment?
           Will He say, “I never knew you”, or will He say,
            “Well done, good and faithful servant”?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for what Jesus did to give me
an opportunity to make a choice of spending eternity in a
heavenly home prepared for me. Help me to block out the
chatter that tries to influence me to make wrong choices.
Teach me the joy of living a life of following Jesus and
fellowshipping with You. When life gets hard and feels
overwhelming, remind me of Your love, presence, support,
and encouragement so I won’t be vulnerable to making bad
choices that are not aligned with Your boundaries for living
a righteous life; a life that creates in me an anticipation of my
heavenly home. Teach me to have an unselfish desire to see
others make right choices as well, and for me to have a sincere
willingness to share how my relationship with You has had a
positive change on my life and gave me a new purpose for living.”

BLOG: utvolwoody.wordpress.com