Banquet With The King: A Warning and a Promise

Thursday, February 1, 2024

A Warning and a Promise

Prayer – Lord, I don’t want to be deceived. Will I live to see the abomination of desolation? Will Christians have to live through the tribulation? Timing is hard to understand—but I think that God will make a way of escape for all His chosen ones. This is such a good warning for the Israelites—the chosen ones—in Judea to run for the mountains when the time comes. Am I a chosen one, too? As a believer, I think so and I am grateful.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, ... And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. ... So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter. For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand." Mark 13:3, 5, 14-23 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Focus on God and His Word.

The days will be cut short for those that God has chosen. That is what Jesus promised—salvation. The Israelites—the original chosen people—the elect themselves—have been given specific instructions. Lot’s wife was told when they were fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah not to look back. She looked back and turned to into a pillar of salt. What will happen to those disobey Jesus’ warning—those who go back into their home, or turn to get their coat when they were working in the field? Will they be left behind and not get to escape the tribulation? This could be the Jews as they flee Jerusalem as referenced in Zechariah.

Looking at the Temple Mount from...
the Mount of Olives
Jerusalem, Israel

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You. Zechariah 14:4-5 NKJV

A warning and a promise. Don’t be deceived. Good advice to anyone…no matter who or where they are. Be ready…and don’t look back or go back for anything. Follow the Lord.

Verse of Salvation ~ Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 AMP

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Banquet With The King

Thursday, February 1, 2024

A Warning and a Promise

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