Matthew 24:22
And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
--NKJV
In the name of the One who actively controls history for the sake of His elect. Amen.
Our passage for today is a bit difficult in some ways. It is hard to tell if Jesus was talking about the time of the fall of Jerusalem, or the time of the very end, or in some way both. The important thing to note is that our Lord actively intervenes in history for the sake of His chosen people. The time of persecution is cut short, because otherwise no one would make it.
Truly we are in a time of persecution (temptation) in which the salvation of the elect comes into question. When we consider the temptations around us, as well as in us, and note the ways in which those temptations come to us, we must realize that the times are much more difficult now than they were just a couple decades ago. No longer does one have to leave his house to engage in perverse of things. Instead, there is a portal to perversity in every household, and in most homes the portal is now interactive. Teens are exposed to things that will affect them for life. Children are taught not just to tolerate, but to accept and even value things that are completely contrary to God’s will. Greed is encouraged even on a societal level when it is taught that we should forcibly redistribute wealth away from those who are gifted and work hard for it, to those who are less gifted and even laze. We have heard so many times “You deserve it” that we have come to believe it. We h
ave been promised so many times that we can have it our way that we treat God as if He should conform to our desires. Does one need to go on? Isn’t it obvious how bad it is for us? With the disciples we must cry out, “Who then, can be saved?”
God is still in His heaven. He is still in control. His promises still hold true. Yes He is able to save us. Yes, He will even shorten the time so that we make to heaven. Glory be to our merciful God who loves us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the times are evil; come quickly Lord, and save us. Amen.
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