The End-Times Instruction Jesus Gave That Christians Often Overlook by DAVID HOFFMAN for Charisma News
There is one end times instruction that Jesus gave that is almost always overlooked by Christians. No one ever talks about this when discussing end times events or eschatology. I would almost guarantee that if you have ever looked into, or studied, eschatology, you have heard countless theories about the rapture, the tribulation and the return of Christ. You have likely heard ideas of how current events fit into biblical prophecy. You have likely heard theories about the mark of the beast and the nations making up the Antichrist’s government. There is one thing that Jesus clearly says about the end times that trumps all of these discussions, and you probably have never put much thought into it.
What is it?
It is found in Matthew 24:3-7. There, Jesus gave His disciples a command. It is one of the most important commands in the New Testament, and yet, it is often overlooked.
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As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various places.
This account of Jesus discussing the end times is found in each of the Synoptic Gospels. Many read Matthew 24:1-31, Mark 13:1-37 and Luke 21:5-28, and focus solely on the signs that Jesus mentions. The most important part of this passage is not the signs of the times, but the command to not be deceived. In the ancient world, order within a list was used to highlight information. In ancient texts pertaining to doctrine and instruction, the first thing mentioned would be put first for a reason. This is because the author wanted it to be the first thing in focus. It is mentioned first so that it would not be overlooked. The first thing Jesus tells His disciples about the end times is to not be deceived or led astray. Because of the emphasis of this point, it is clear that the end times will be full of deception.
