Friday October 23rd, 2020
Memorize: 1 Timothy 4:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
« Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. »
Read: Mark 13:31-37 New Living Translation (NLT)
31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak.
36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.
37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
Message
« Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come. »
Mark 13:33 Berean Study Bible (BSB)
Jesus is coming soon and although no one knows exactly when (Mark 13:32-33), we know some significant occurrences will mark the end of this age (2 Timothy 3:1-3).
Some of them are already happening and this is why we must watch out for:
▪Backsliding: Many men of God are departing from the faith.
Even some Christian denominations that started on a Bible-based foundation have derailed. They are succumbing to the pressure from the digital world.
While about a hundred years ago, it would have been unthinkable for any church to debate whether homosexuality should be considered, today it is a bone of contention.
Seduction, fornication, adultery, divorce and other abominable practices are now
commonplace not only in vestries but also on the altars.
Watch and determine not to look back.
▪Wiles of the devil: According to 1 Peter 5:8, the devil is cunning and he wants to deceive unsuspecting and careless believers.
He keeps telling the Church, it is not too bad; but what is not too bad is still bad.
Watch and don’t fall for the trap.
▪Temptation: There will be temptations and we have to watch and pray to avoid them (Matthew 26:41) .While the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.
You must be armed with the word because it is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
▪False teachers: Not all teachers and prophets who call the name of Christ are genuine (Acts 20:29-30).
Watch out as hypocrites have crept into the Church like Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:13-21.
▪The second coming of the Lord: This is the most important of all. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 admonishes us not to sleep.
Like the wise virgins, we must be awake and prepared. Perilous times are here; watch, so you will not be a victim of the dangers of the end time.
Prayer point: Father, deliver me in these perilous times. See me through to the end, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Text edited by Naomie
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