Thursday 22nd January
Read
Matthew 24:1-14
1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to Him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” He asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 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?” Jesus answered: 4 “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 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. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 13 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.
Meditate
What did Jesus say regarding the signs of the times? Enumerate them all (v1-11)
What would the world look like when lawlessness is increased? What would life look like when love grows cold? (v12)
How can one endure amidst these tribulations? (v13)
What is the primary mission of the disciples before the end comes? (v14)
What is God’s heart for the nations? See Revelation 22:1-3.
Jesus reminds His disciples about fulfilling the Great Commission, especially in the last days. More than all of the hardships that will happen, a glimmer of hope is mentioned: that all the nations would be reached with the good news of Christ. Indeed, national and global revival can be fulfilled through fervent intercession and Gospel proclamation.
Apply
How am I fulfilling the Great Commission where God has placed me (in my family, community, workplace, country)?
How can I practice fervent prayer daily for my country and other parts of the globe? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you in this.
By faith, I will do my part by … (write a prayer strategy here).
Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, Time-bound (SMART) commitments
Ex: I will pray every Sunday for the Revival in the Body of Christ in Austria.
Pray:
Pray for all Christ followers in Austria to be strong in faith and hold on to the hope of Christ.
Pray for Austria, that the Gospel would reach all people.
Pray that we not be deceived. Pray that we remain in the Word daily and grow in knowing the heart of the Father.
Pray that the Truth of the Gospel shall break every stronghold, freeing those who are bound by unbelief and other tactics of the enemy.
Pray that we commit to love God and one another, and do not let this love grow cold. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s strengthening.
Watchful in Prayer
By Christ’s Commission Fellowship