As we bring this turbulent year of 2020 to a close, the holiday season is a much needed time of joy, thankfulness, and festivities. And as we celebrate the glorious birth of our Savior, it is also the perfect time to celebrate His soon glorious return. So even though Matthew 24 is full of warnings about the trials and tribulations that will mark the sign of His coming and the end of the age, it also contains some pretty awesome promises of God. Promises we can hold dear to our hearts in every season!
“The One who endures to the end will be saved” (vs. 13)- Jesus made it clear that the life of a Christian will be filled with trials, persecution, and peril. Yet for those who stand strong in their faith until the end, no matter the circumstances, God promises deliverance from their enemies and a life spent by His side filled with eternal love and peace.
“Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (vs. 22)- The heart of man is inherently wicked and hell bent on destruction. Yet God gives us His loving promise to save those He calls His own. If not for His mercy, not only during the tribulation but each day, man in his wickedness would destroy every living thing.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (vs. 35)- All things have a shelf life. Even our current heaven and earth will pass away for new magnificent ones. But one thing that will never change is the Word of God. For His words are true and everlasting. They bring light and life to a darkened world. And we can trust God’s promise of not one word uttered by Him ever passing away without being fulfilled.
“Blessed is that slave whom his master so doing when he comes.” (vs. 46)- Jesus is our great Master, and has appointed us to continue His work on earth until He returns. That means we are to continue sharing the Good News of Christ and working for the kingdom of God. And in return, when we stand before the Lord face to face, He promises to reward our efforts with blessings beyond imagining!
One of the things I love most about God is His great love for us. There is nothing we can do, buy, or earn to climb our way to the Father. So He climbed down to us. Our mighty King traded His majestic throne in heaven for a bed of wood and hay. The Lamb of God came as a humble, helpless child, but the Lion of Judah will return as our conquering King and Ruler of all. So as I give thanks this season for the birth of my Savior, I will equally give thanks for His promises and soon glorious return!
