Except Those Days*

Jesus' disciples presented Him with some questions after He prophesied the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (meaning "age")?(Mt. 24:1-3). The first thing that Jesus gave as an answer was the warning, "Take heed that no man deceive you." The times and conditions surrounding the events addressed by Jesus with His disciples would be be surrounded by deception. This deception will include those who claim to be Christ, and the rise of false prophets. We have seen examples of this in recent history. However, those who follow Christ are expected to know the truth, and be aware of the signs. Jesus continued to describe the events that lead up to the great tribulation, and His return. They include: wars, ethnic violence, famines, pestilences, earthquakes (we have seen the increase in the number and severity of earthquakes, and we are in the middle of a worldwide pestilence, the pandemic). Hatred and persecution to death and betrayal involving all nations would be directed towards those who believe in Christ, because of His name's sake. Iniquity will abound, and many will turn away from faith because of it. Atheism and agnosticism, even among those who used to believe, have increased in our time. In the face of all of these signs and events, Jesus told His disciples, and us, to endure unto the end, and be saved. Even during these calamitous events, the Gospel of the kingdom of God will be preached in all the world as a witness, Jesus said, and then the end comes. One of the defining signs of the imminent approach of the end will be the abomination that causes desolation, which will stand in the holy place, spoken about by Daniel the prophet (v.15). It is then mentioned: "Whoso readeth, let him understand." When they see this happen, those in Jerusalem should flee: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (v. 21-22). Can repentance change prophecy? The Book of Jonah tells us that repentance can play a piivotal role in the judgment of God. Jonah delivered the prophetic Word of the LORD to Nineveh that they were about to be destroyed in God's judgment. The whole city, from the king, down, repented sincerely, and God turned the judgment away from them. This made Jonah angry but God taught him that it is better that the people who are to die in judgment repent and many lives be saved. Peter wrote the same. God is patient and longsuffering regarding His judgment, because He would rather provide people every opportunity to repent. In the case above, the days of the Great Tribulation are shortened, saving many. The prophetic model tells us that repentance could play a major role in this mercy in the midst of judgment. Jesus referred to the event in Daniel that He called the abomination that makes desolate (Daniel 12:11). Up to the fulfillment of this desolating event, according to Daniel's prophecy, the people of God will have been busy in wisdom, spreading and teaching the delivering truth of God to many: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Dan. 12:3). Daniel also described this time in the same manner as Jesus: "...and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." (v. 1). In the last verse in Daniel, the LORD told the prophet, "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." (v. 13). As Jesus told His disciples, these events are associated with "the end of days", or at the end of an age, not the end of the world. Daniel was to "...shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end." (v. 4). We know that the time of the end refers to our time, because the words of Daniel are no longer sealed and shut up, but are understandable to us. They are now revealed to us, and we are those who can understand the words of Daniel, as Jesus said. The New Testament continues to give clarity to Daniel's and Jesus' words. Paul writes that "...of the times and the seasons, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1 Thess. 5:1-3). We are to know, understand, and be aware. Paul went on to write that God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvtion through Christ (v.9). Therefore, we should act like those who live in that light of understanding and salvtion, not like those who are still in darkness (v. 5-8). We are not to sleep, but to be awake, keep watch and be sober (v.6). We are to warn, comfort, uphold, and be patient (v. 14). We are to rejoice, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every thing, proving all things and keeping those things that are good, not quenching the Holy Spirit, but abstaining from even the appearance of evil. We should not despise the prophetic word (v.16-22). Paul prayed that God "...sanctify you wholly;...and... your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 23). In Romans, Paul also wrote, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed...let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day...put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Rom. 13:11-14). In Mt. 25, Jesus told the parable of those who were prepared for His return, and those who were not. Though all slept, the wise woke up ready when the alarm went out. The foolish had not prepared, and were not ready. The event happened so quickly, that the foolish unprepared ones could not get ready in time, and the door was shut to them. They were not allowed to enter. Why had the foolish been unprepared? The Lord said to them "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." (v. 12). "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (v. 13, see also Lk. 21:34-36). We do not know the day nor the hour, but those who are wise and understand, those whom the Lord knows, see the signs as they have been prophesied in scripture, and are determined to be awake and watchful. *Based upon Dr. Stevenson's 11/25/20 message to the Church. To contact this ministry, or to obtain the new book "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling": PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com If you would like to know Jesus Christ, and receive His salvation, believe and confess that He died for your sins, and was raised from the dead (Rom. 10:9-10). Pray "Lord Jesus, I believe you died for me. I believe that You rose from the dead. I believe that You are coming again to rule and to reign. Forgive my sins. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to lead me, teach me, and enpower me to live righteously in You. I believe that You have cleansed me, saved me, and given me eternal life. I pray these things in Your great name, Jesus. Amen.