WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: If someone told you that the world would end tomorrow, what would be your first question? And then what would you do?

Warning the insiders
So far, Jesus has been addressing his warnings primarily to those outside God’s kingdom. Now he warns the insiders – his disciples. Jesus’ response to the innocent comment about the Temple (v 1) was probably not what the disciples expected (v 2)! But it led to a private conversation between four disciples and Jesus (v 3).

Presumably the disciples believed that the destruction of the Temple would be the beginning of the end. They wanted to know when that would be (v 4).

How to live faithfully
But it wasn’t quite so simple! Jesus was teaching about two different things here: the destruction of the Temple (which would happen in AD 70), and then the end of time itself. He didn’t name the day. Instead he taught them – and us – how to live faithfully whatever happened.

So, we should watch out for deceivers (v 5). False messiahs will still come – and go. Then we should be ready for persecution (vs 9–11) – thousands of Christians are martyred every year. And we should watch out for our closest relationships being stretched to the limit (vs 12,13).

All this was the experience of that generation as it is for many in ours today. But finally Jesus looks to the end of time – there is hope! Earthly powers will fade (v 24) and he will return for his people.

Respond: Many Christians will be experiencing persecution today. You may know of specific situations. Pray that God will give them the strength to stay faithful.

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-23