Thursday, June 25, 2026

            Mark 13, Matthew 24 and Luke 21 all share something in common.  In each chapter, Jesus addressed the issue of the end times and His coming again.  Serious matters to be sure.  There are a couple of important warnings that Jesus issued that we want to note. First, He warned against being deceived.  The Lord said, “Watch out that no one deceives you” (Mark 13:5).  He issued the same warning in Matthew and Luke as well.  If Jesus warned us not to be deceived, there is at least the risk or possibility that some people will be deceived about the end times—almost a certainty.  What kind of deception could Jesus be warning against?
            Some could believe in a false messiah.  Some could fall away from the teachings of the Bible.  Some could come to believe that multiple religions offer multiple pathways to the same place—heaven and everlasting life.  In our world today, deception is often just a few keystrokes away.  The rise of AI can generate authentically looking and sounding images, clips and presentations.  Social media can blast ideas and opinions, masquerading as truth, throughout the world in a matter of seconds.  The rapid rise in communications has also rapidly shortened the time it takes to reach much of the connected world with simultaneous messaging.  I read recently that many people mistakenly think Jesus said or did things that the gospels bear no record of Him ever actually saying or doing. Unfortunately, godly discernment does not travel as quickly as deception when it circles the world.   
            People with only a peripheral knowledge of Scripture and only passively engaged in a healthy and gospel-grounded church are prime targets for deception.  Online videos and “teachers” often gather large audiences and millions of clicks in exchange for biblically suspect messages that bear little resemblance to the Bible itself.  Deception is not a new thing.  We find evidence of people being deceived in New Testament times.  Paul often had to correct misinformation and bad theology that threatened the fellowship of churches.  We need the accountability that we find in the Bible, the fellowship of a healthy church and the company of other believers.  These guardrails help us not to fall prey to deception.
            The second warning Jesus issued concerned His return itself.  Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).  Let that sink into your mind.  Jesus Himself said that only the Father knows the day of His return.  Not the angels.  Not Jesus.  And certainly not the guy online making videos trying to scare everyone who watches.  Do not set dates or times for the Lord’s return.  You will ALWAYS be wrong.  Always!  We cannot claim to know that which the Bible says we do not and will not know.  The end of the world is planned and carried out by the Father at a time of His will and providence.  Not yours or mine.  If you encounter anyone who thinks he or she has figured out the date of the Lord’s return, run away!  You are being deceived and tricked.  And, in many cases, such a charlatan will probably have something to sell to you.   
            Rather than trying to unlock the mystery of the end of time, Jesus warns us to be ready, to keep watch and to live as if we could be face to face with Him at any moment in time.  And we could.  The Lord could come again for His people or we could find ourselves in His presence if we were to die before His coming.  Leave no unsettled accounts or business with the Lord.  Trust Him alone and the power of the cross alone for your salvation.  Love and serve Him.  Use the blessings and gifts He has provided to bless and serve others in His Name.  Love your neighbors around you and be a blessing to them through your life.  There is no need to waste time trying to figure out the end of time.  Jesus could not have made this truth any plainer or clearer—nobody currently knows or will know when He comes again.  He was content to leave that to the Father.  We must do likewise.  Let God be God.  Live each day as if it could be the day that you will meet the Lord—either in the air or in the twinkling of an eye after you have taken your final breath.  Have a great Thursday!