WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT

WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT 

 Matthew 24:3, "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?”

Brothers and Sisters, the disciples' question on the Mount of Olives remains one that has echoed through the ages. It's a question filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation – when will our Lord return, and how will we know? Jesus, in His wisdom, provides not a precise calendar date but a series of signs and a timeless call to readiness.

BODY 

The False Alarms

Jesus begins by warning us about false alarms. He says, "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray." Throughout history, there have been countless self-proclaimed messiahs, prophets, and doomsayers. They prey on the faithful, manipulating fear and a yearning for answers the world cannot provide. 

We must not be deceived. Our eyes must be fixed on Christ, our hearts grounded in His Word. We trust not in the pronouncements of men, but in the promises of God.

The Tumult of a World Gone Astray

Jesus foretells: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet." We live in a world constantly in flux, where the drums of conflict beat far and near. This violence, this pain, and suffering are birth pangs, signs of a world yearning for a Savior even as it drifts away from His light. Yet, we must not despair, for amidst the chaos, Christ is our anchor.

The Test of Endurance:

"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places," Jesus says. Natural disasters, political turmoil, and the relentless drive of fallen kingdoms – these are the trials that will come upon the world. Our faith may be tested, our spirits shaken. But we are called to endure. Just as a weathered tree stands firm amid the storm, our roots must go deep into the unshakeable foundation of Christ's love.

The Time of the Midnight Hour

The disciples sought a specific sign, a singular moment that would unveil the time of Christ's return. But Jesus doesn't give them a countdown. Instead, He gives them, and us, a timeless instruction: "Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming…"

Our spiritual lives must be lived in a state of readiness. We cannot know the hour of Christ's return, just as a thief comes in the night. Will we be found sleeping, hearts unprepared? Or will we be found with lamps burning bright, with hands and hearts ready to serve?

Brothers and sisters, the signs Christ spoke of on the Mount of Olives are all around us. The world yearns, the clock ticks, and the midnight hour approaches. But amidst the signs of the end, there is a greater sign - the unyielding sign of God's love, His promise of salvation.

Let us not be people marked by fear, but by joyful anticipation. Let us be people of watchful hearts and unwavering service. For while we do not know the day or the hour, we know with certainty that our Lord will come, and we must be found ready. 

Amen.