September 2024

God Gathers the Elect in Matthew 24:31: Who Are They?

God Gathers the Elect

Matthew 24:31 talks about a powerful event that happens when Jesus returns: God gathers the elect, His people, “from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” But who are these people the angels will gather? Let’s dive into this verse to better understand.

1. Who Are the Elect?

The term “elect” refers to God’s chosen people. In the Bible, God promises to gather His people at the end of the age. Moses talked about this in Deuteronomy 30:3, where he said that God would bring back His people from all the places they were scattered. But who are these people in Matthew 24:31?

Note that this gathering happens after the rapture, so it doesn’t refer to Christians who have already been taken up. Instead, the “elect” here are likely the Jews—God’s chosen people—and also Gentiles who have come to know Jesus during the tribulation. Many people will turn to God during this difficult time, and they will be gathered by the angels when Jesus returns.

2. Surviving the Tribulation

Some of these elect will be people who somehow survive the seven-year tribulation. During this period, the world will be full of hardship and judgment, but many will come to faith in Jesus as their Savior. These are the ones the angels will gather from the “four winds,” meaning from all over the world. No true believer will be left behind. God knows where each of His people is, and He will send His angels to gather them from every corner of the earth.

3. God Gathers the Elect: A Gathering of True Believers

The gathering in Matthew 24:31 is a beautiful picture of God’s care for His people. Whether they are Jews who have long awaited their Messiah or Gentiles who turned to Christ during the tribulation, they are all part of God’s family. On that day, every true believer will be found and brought together, showing God’s perfect plan for His people.

Conclusion: God’s Faithfulness in Gathering the Elect

God promises hope to all who belong to Him. They are the elect who He gathers in Matthew 24:31. Therefore, whether they are Jews or Gentiles, those who trust in Jesus will not be forgotten. God will send His angels to gather His people from the four winds, ensuring that no one is left behind. God gathers the elect from every corner of the world, showing God’s amazing faithfulness to those who love Him.

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When Jesus Returns: Why All the Tribes of the Earth Will Mourn

When Jesus Returns: Why All the Tribes of the Earth Will Mourn

Matthew 24:30 gives us a vivid picture of the moment Jesus returns. The verse says that “all the tribes of the earth will mourn.” But who are these people, and why are they so sad when Jesus comes back? Let’s take a closer look at what this means.

1. Who Are the Tribes of the Earth?

The term “all the tribes of the earth” refers to everyone on the planet who has rejected God’s love and mercy. These are people who chose to live in sin rather than follow Jesus. In the Bible, there is a warning about taking the “mark of the beast” on the right hand or forehead. This mark represents loyalty to the Antichrist—a world leader who is against everything God stands for.

These people embraced the Antichrist’s way of life, thinking it would bring them power, security, and happiness. They proudly followed his world order, believing it would last forever. But as the Bible tells us, the Antichrist’s reign is short-lived. After seven years of ruling, Jesus returns to take back His rightful place as King. The people who followed the Antichrist realize their terrible mistake too late.

2. Why Are They Mourning?

When Jesus returns, He does so in power and great glory, splitting the sky wide open. For those who believed in Him, this is a moment of joy and hope. But for those who rejected Him, it is a time of mourning and fear. They are mourning because they now understand they’ve made a tragic choice. They rejected God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. Now, they must face the consequences. Their worst nightmare—the reality of living without God forever—is coming true.

These people mourn because they know they will have to pay the price for rejecting Jesus. They realize that their choice to live in sin and follow the Antichrist has led them to a place of eternal separation from God. Their short-lived power and pleasure under the Antichrist have come to an end, and now they must face judgment.

Conclusion: A Sobering Reminder

Matthew 24:30 serves as a warning and a reminder. Jesus is coming back, and everyone will see Him when He does. For those who love and follow Him, it will be a time of great joy. But for those who rejected Him, it will be a day of sorrow and regret. The phrase “all the tribes of the earth” helps us see that no one is left out of this moment. Every person will experience the return of Jesus—either with joy or with mourning.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

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God’s Love in the Day of Judgement

Isaiah 13:6-16 is a vivid prophecy concerning the “Day of the Lord,” a time of catastrophic judgment upon Babylon. At first, the passage appears to focus on God’s wrath on the Day of Judgement. Yet, it actually reflects His deep love for humanity by forewarning us of judgment to offer an opportunity for repentance and salvation.

1. The Day of the Lord: God’s Love in the Day of Judgment

The passage begins with a call to “Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty” (v. 6). The verses describe terrifying events such as the trembling of hearts, cosmic disturbances, and the cruel judgment that will come upon sinners. This might seem like pure wrath, but within this prophecy lies a message of God’s love and mercy in the Day of Judgement.

2. God’s Loving Warning: An Opportunity for Repentance

God’s decision to warn through prophecy is motivated by love. He forewarns the people of the impending disaster, giving them a chance to turn from their sin. The prophecy is not meant to crush the spirit, but to lead people to repentance before the calamity arrives. This shows that God doesn’t desire for humanity to suffer (2 Peter 3:9), but He is holy and must address sin.

3. God’s Desire to Save, Not Destroy

The extreme imagery used here, like the heavens trembling and the earth being shaken out of place (v. 13), emphasizes the severity of sin and the necessity of judgment. Yet, through this, we see that God’s love drives Him to issue these warnings. He desires to save people from the destruction that sin brings. If there were no warning, there would be no way to escape.

4. The Love of God: Deliverance through Judgment

Although the destruction seems certain, God’s ultimate purpose is to lead humanity to salvation. The passage serves as a reminder that judgment and mercy are not mutually exclusive. In fact, His judgment points to the need for deliverance, which He ultimately provides through Jesus Christ. God does not leave humanity hopeless in the face of the Day of the Lord; instead, He provides a way out through faith and repentance.

Conclusion: God’s Loving Purpose in the Day of Judgement

Isaiah 13:6-16 underscores a critical aspect of God’s character: His love for humanity is so great that He warns us of the coming catastrophe. His desire is not to destroy, but to offer salvation. By forewarning us, He gives us the opportunity to turn away from sin and embrace His grace. The prophecy reveals not only the holiness of God. It also reveals God’s love in the Day of Judgement, showing that His warnings are acts of compassion designed to save us.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

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The Abomination of Desolation Explained

2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 provides a detailed description of the coming “man of lawlessness,” a figure closely tied to the “Abomination of Desolation” spoken of in the Book of Revelation. Understanding this passage helps us grasp what this prophetic event is and its significance in the end times.

1. The Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

Paul warns the Thessalonians not to be deceived concerning the Day of the Lord, as certain events must happen first. He identifies the coming of the “man of lawlessness,” who will exalt himself “above every so-called god or object of worship.” This man of lawlessness will even go so far as to sit in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. This echoes the imagery of the “Abomination of Desolation,” a term used in Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11, and later referenced by Jesus in Matthew 24:15, referring to a blasphemous act of desecration in the holy place.

2. What Is the Abomination of Desolation?

The “Abomination of Desolation” involves an act of profaning something sacred—most notably, the temple of God. In the Old Testament, it likely refers to the desecration of the Jewish temple by foreign powers (e.g., Antiochus IV Epiphanes). However, in the New Testament and particularly in Revelation, it signifies a future event where the Antichrist, or the man of lawlessness, will commit a similar act of ultimate blasphemy.

This event will mark a turning point in eschatological history. The “Abomination” is a visible, identifiable sign that the Antichrist is not just a political or military leader. He opposes God directly and leads others into deception and apostasy. His self-deification in the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:4) is a clear indication of this.

3. The Power Behind the Deception (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

Paul clarifies that this man of lawlessness will come “in accordance with the work of Satan,” with all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders (v. 9). This mirrors the descriptions in Revelation, where the Antichrist and his false prophet deceive the world through such displays of power (Revelation 13:13-14). The “Abomination of Desolation” includes not just a physical act of desecration but a spiritual delusion. Therefore, many will be led astray by the seeming divine power of the Antichrist.

4. God’s Sovereignty Over This Event (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Though this period of intense deception will occur, God remains sovereign. Verses 11-12 state that God will “send them a powerful delusion” so that those who refuse the truth will believe the lie. This reveals God’s justice—those who persist in rejecting the gospel will ultimately face judgment.

However, it also indicates that the “Abomination of Desolation” is not an unforeseen catastrophe but part of God’s divine plan. Those who trust in Christ are given forewarning and should not be deceived.

5. The Connection to Revelation

In the book of Revelation, the Antichrist is seen leading the world into worship of himself and the dragon (Satan). Revelation 13:5-8 speaks of his blasphemous authority and his persecution of God’s people. The Abomination of Desolation will signal the beginning of the end—the outpouring of God’s final judgment on evil and the return of Christ.

Conclusion: The “Abomination of Desolation” Explained

The “Abomination of Desolation” is more than just a historical or future event. it is a significant moment when the Antichrist desecrates the sacred, exalts himself, and deceives the world through satanic power. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 aligns with Revelation’s prophetic account, warning believers to remain faithful, watchful, and anchored in gospel truth. This event will signal the impending return of Christ and the final judgment on sin and evil.

Mark of the Beast

Revelation 14 says that whoever takes the mark of the beast on their right hand or their forehead will drink the wrath of God.

This isn’t like sinning, praying to God, and then He forgives you. This is unforgivable. When you take the mark of the beast, that means you are beyond repentance. But how will people be able to buy food or sell? How can they get medical attention? How will they be able to feed their babies?

This is why Jesus said you better hope you’re not pregnant and living in the tribulation. You will not receive any help from God when you take the mark of the beast.

After the Rapture

After the Rapture, God could easily walk away from all of humanity left on earth. Instead, God gives it yet another chance!

Matthew 24:14 says the gospel will be preached to the whole world during the tribulation period:

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.

Matthew 24:14

The eyes of the Jewish people will be opened. God’s chosen people will experience a massive revival in Israel. Revelation 7 says that 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, will preach the Gospel of Jesus!

When Will the Rapture Happen?

The Bible tells us that every true believer will literally be caught up to be with the Lord. Some people say the rapture is not going to happen until midway through the tribulation period. Others say the rapture will not happen until the end of the tribulation.

The church, the body of believers, is talked about through the Scripture 77 times between Matthew and the end of revelation 3 where Jesus talks about the seven churches. You don’t hear the church mentioned again until the last chapter of Revelation. And when you go Revelation 4 & 5, there’s the gathering and we’re all worshiping the Lord. That happens before the tribulation period begins. All throughout history when God has judged the world, He always removes his people first.

In the same way God is going to remove his sons and his daughters first and then the apocalypse will begin.

Wars and Rumors of Wars

In Matthew 24:6-8, while foretelling what events will take place in the last days, Jesus says, “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. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

With all that’s going on in the world today, it’s easy to understand that we are indeed in the last days. And Jesus said that’s just the beginning! That can lead people to have an anxious heart or an overwhelmed soul. But in the midst of all the insanity, the believer in Christ can have His peace.

We know the God who holds tomorrow in the midst of His hand. Jesus has given us His peace (John 14:27). Have you taken hold of it? Have you allowed the peace of God to inhabit your heart and mind? Having a relationship with God doesn’t always mean that we take all of what God has made available to us, which He gives to all His sons and daughters.

God’s peace can calm our hearts and minds! When you seek the Lord in prayer and in His Word, He reveals himself to us. As we understand Him more and more, we become like Him. We gain a tranquility that fills our whole being, and we become that example that He can use to bring more people to know Him.

The New World Religion Is Already Here

The New god

Man now looks to himself and his belief system over what God tells us in His Word. Man says we are good, we have our own values, we can solve our own problems. We don’t need God, we can do it all ourselves. Man worships himself. He has made himself into god.

When the Wise Become Fools

This new world religion of humanism has made mankind morally and spiritually bankrupt. A broken people led astray from the truth. As a result, America has excommunicated God from government, removing the ten commandments from the walls of all schools, courtrooms, and civic & governmental buildings.

The Bible warns us in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 when it says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

How To Find the Truth?

For this reason, we’re called to test, or critically examine, what we hear. But what do we examine it against? Our own feelings and emotions? No. Because if you have given in to your own lust and someone tells you it’s okay, you will accept it. And stay in that sin.

We have to examine it against what God has said in His Word. It doesn’t matter what we think or how we feel, or even how much we agree with it. We are all going to stand before God one day, and we will be judged for everything we have ever done. And His judgement will be based on His Word.

This Is the Way

This is why Jesus came and died on the cross. He bore on His own body the punishment of sin that ALL of us should have to bear. He sacrificed Himself so that we can all be forgiven and cleansed for every evil deed we have done.