The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 24:3-14, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
6 “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

The deaths of some loved ones was announced today in one of the Sunday Bible classes I attend. Death is a certainty for almost everyone. I say, “almost,” because there will be those alive when Jesus returns –and they will not die. Still, there is no indication in Scripture as to how many will be alive at Jesus’ coming.

His disciples were curious concerning His coming, and Jesus’ response was the Scripture passage cited above. If we belong to Christ, we are not to be misled by the many who will come claiming to be Christ Himself. If you have watched any religious programing on television, you have doubtlessly encountered some preachers, who claim even to be on a “first-name” basis with Christ! I have known some notable people in my lifetime, but never did I publicly address them on a “first-name” basis. Be aware of the wolves that dress in sheep’s clothing!

Jesus warned of the increase of “wars and rumors of wars” (v. 6). He noted that nations “will rise against” each other, and that there will be “famines and earthquakes” in various places throughout the earth. These disasters are already present in various countries of today’s world. People will betray one another, even some who were thought to be friends. False prophets are on the increase, seemingly by the day! And lawlessness is increasing at an alarming rate!

While spiritual coldness pervades the world, many nations are turning against the only hope they truly have – the Love of Jesus Christ that comes to them via dedicated missionaries and via Christian radio and television. Then, when the LORD is satisfied that His offer of salvation has been permeated this lost, hell-bound world, He will come back to rescue those who have trusted Him and faithfully served Him by loving lost souls and earnestly seeking to bring them to faith in Jesus Christ.

If you know Him, are you doing your part in witnessing of His saving grace? And if you have yet to confess your sins and begged His forgiveness, I would urge you to do so quickly! Nothing counts with God except the acceptance of His Son, Jesus. And no one knows how much time he has left to trust Him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom