Preparing for His Return

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to its buildings. ‘Do you see all these things?’ He asked, ‘I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.’ ” (Matthew 24:1-2)   
Passage: Psalms 119:97-104

         After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the first century believers expected Jesus to return quickly. As the church grew to include more and more people who were non-Jewish in background, the church began to use a word as both a greeting and a farewell, that was neither Hebrew nor Greek. It was the Aramaic word, maranatha, which means “Lord, come!” A preacher challenged his church to say “Maranatha!”, when they saw each other during the week. He saw two senior adult women later in town and they hollered out, “Marijuana, brother!”

The Bible has more predictions of the second coming of Jesus than His first. He is coming again. As Jesus was moving forward toward the cross, His disciples made a comment about the beauty of the Temple. Jesus responded with a prediction that the Temple would be destroyed, which led to Him telling them things to look for as they prepared for His return. Jesus said, “So you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Matthew 24:42) The Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. All the signs Jesus described are being seen. Jesus is coming again. Are you prepared?

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)