The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 24:3-13, “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.”

The disciples had doubtlessly been stymied by the contents of all that
Jesus had just said (chapter 23). So they asked “…when will these things
happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the
age?” Jesus could doubtlessly have told them precisely what and when
these things would take place; yet, had they known, it could have been
a self-imposed reason to delay getting ready. Isn’t that the way things
work with us? We wait as long as we are able.

Jesus’ reply included their need to observe the rumors of pretenders
to Messiahship in addition to wars that lead to the confiscation of true
believers. Further, there will also be nations waring against nations,
famines, earthquakes and personal tribulations against believers, who
hold that Jesus Christ is the true Messiah.

Personal betrayals, false prophets, increased crime, personal pretense
to being the Messiah and much, much more. “Where did you get all of
this?” you ask. It’s in the Word, as cited in this Letter. It’s just that we are
so involved in worldly relationships ourselves, that we’ve neglected the
Word of God! May we learn what the LORD instructs rather than having
to undergo such heinous trials, as described in the Biblical text.

May we learn and then teach the nuances of God’s Holy and Truthful Word!
God bless you as you learn and then instruct others.

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