Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and

apply scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through

Friday as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Today our study is in Matthew chapter 24. Here is a brief recap. The temple in Jerusalem was the religious center of the Jewish faith.

When Jesus walks out of it and states that it will be destroyed, this brings immediate questions from his disciples.

He explains that the destruction is coming, but that there will be a lot of false claims and confusion

about when and how it will happen. When he came in judgment on Jerusalem, which happened by

Rome's attack in 70 AD, the believers knew to flee the city and escape desolation. It was important

for Christians not to get distracted by false claims and to stay ready to go.

Jesus tells a parable about the difference between being prepared and being lazy.

For them, it meant life and death.

This will also be true in the final judgment on the last day.

It is debated among believers how much of this chapter is about Jerusalem's first

century destruction and how much of it points to the final day of Christ coming. Verse 34 serves as an

important guide, quote, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. It is likely

that all that comes before that verse pertains to

judgment on Jerusalem and the need to be wise and prepared. But the later teachings, quote,

be ready, for the son of man is coming at an hour when you do not think he will, stands as

powerful instruction for us today. If we think it will not happen soon, we can lose focus

and become negligent. Always be ready for Jesus. Here are some thought questions for that today.

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