“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered, ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.’” Matthew 24:3-4 NIV
The disciples were eager to know more about these events; when they should take place and what sign they should be watching out for? What I found interesting is that Jesus answered the disciples’ questions in the reverse order to how they asked, and perhaps not in a way they were expecting.
Christ first answers what to watch out for – they are to take heed to not so much a physical sign, but rather to watch out for deception. They were to guard their hearts and minds, to know the truth, and to not be swayed away or mislead by that which was false.
I believe that Jesus answered their question in that order and in this fashion because that is the most important thing for us to focus on too. It’s not when this will take place, or what the warning sign will be that are important – it is being steadfast in the Lord. We are to be prepared for Christ’s return at any given time.
May we be encouraged to keep the faith until Christ returns or calls us home, and may that be our number one focus.
Lock Your Wings 
Just like an expectant father, may we be ever ready to go at a moments notice when He calls us!
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“But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”
Matthew 24:8 NLT
I’ve laboured with birth pains three times. There was a moment with our youngest that I clearly remember thinking “I wouldn’t have had to do this again but i chose to have more kids”. The first pains are bad but they do get worse and more painful. As we await the coming back of Jesus, we are told the same thing will happen. Thankfully, like most births, at the end of the pain and sorrow there is a new life! Somehow that makes it all worth while.
Another reference to the return of Jesus is this: “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Matthew 24:44 NLT
Expecting a baby is kind of similar: you know the “due date” and Jesus tells us of the things we need to watch for as our “due date” comes closer. But no one quite knows when a baby will come. We never expected our middle child to arrive 5 weeks ahead of her due date. We can’t know exactly when Jesus is coming and we need to be ready.
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