Sunday: The Widow’s Mites — Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4
It is not the amount of the gift, but the attitude of the heart that is most important. Pride of living and pride of giving must be avoided, but the true and cheerful giver will always receive God’s favor. See 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
Monday: Jesus Laments over Jerusalem — Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 19:41-44
This is only the second time that Jesus weeps openly, (the first was at the tomb of Lazarus). Like Jeremiah weeping bitterly over Jerusalem’s destruction (Jeremiah 9:lff), Jesus mourns the future destruction of Israel. Jesus looked back to see that Israel had wasted its opportunities to repent; He looked within and saw spiritual ignorance and blindness; looking around, He saw religious activity with no eternal purpose; when Jesus looked ahead, He saw the terrible suffering and destruction that would soon devastate them. He didn’t relish their doom; Jesus wept.
Tuesday: The Destruction of God’s Temple — Matthew 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6
The temple in Jerusalem was started by Herod the Great in 20 B.C., but it still wasn’t finished when the Romans destroyed it in 70 A.D. It was one of the most impressive structures in the world in Jesus’ time, built with massive stone blocks perfectly fitted together, then decorated with gold. The temple buildings consisted of gleaming white marble, and the eastern wall of the huge main structure was covered with gold plates that reflected the morning sun. But Jesus said it would be left desolate (utterly destroyed). In 70 A.D., the Romans devised a way to bring the stones crumbling down using intense heat. Afterwards, they sifted the rubble for the gold and valuables, leaving not one stone upon another.
Wednesday: Great Spiritual Deception — Matthew 24:3-5; Mark 13:3-6; Luke 21:7-8
One element that will be prevalent before the second coming of Christ is that of false prophets and false Messiahs. They will look and sound convincing, for many will be deceived. Undoubtedly, they will come with pleasing words, and much of their doctrine will speak of love toward our fellow men and uniting the world in the spirit of peace. Their charismatic demeanor will warm the human heart. And they are tools of Satan!
Thursday: Worldwide Tribulations — Matthew 24:6-8; Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:9-11
The world has always known political unrest and warfare, and famine has often accompanied it or been the result of seasons of draught or devastating plagues. Mankind is no stranger to the horrors of mass deaths, nor are natural disasters unusual. However, what Jesus spoke of taking place was tribulation on an intensified scale with devastating effects: cataclysm and sorrow reaching around the world.
Friday: The Church Hated — Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12
The early church was scorned by many, especially by the Jews and by those of pagan religions, and there were many martyrs who died for the faith (as there have been down through history). But what Jesus spoke of is a world community united in their hatred and devoted to the complete annihilation of the church. The end-time church will prevail in the faith by the grace and covering of God, yet many will be martyred in the last days.
Saturday: An Enduring Testimony — Matthew 24:10-12; Mark 13:10-12; Luke 21:13-18
Jesus taught that persecution for our faith would occur by government decrees and by societal and family rejection. The positive word Jesus spoke was of those who endure to the end. Divine protection and a special grace will empower believers who would remain faithful despite public and personal persecution. Whether we stand strong in the faith in the hour of testing depends on our standing strong in the faith every day.