Psalm 10:2 English Standard Version (ESV) In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;     let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.

I see that in the world.

Things that happen in the world will often remind us of scripture. His Word is True.

While driving around America these past few weeks I saw that there are those that take advantage of the poor and helpless. Poverty is a plague on our society and it is shameful that some prey on the impoverished. What are we to do about it?

Matthew 26:11 English Standard Version (ESV) For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

My dilemma is that I am not called to answer for the actions of others.

We will always have the poor, but that does not address the question about what to do about the arrogant. Our emotions tell us to do something about the situation, but just because we see it, does not mean God is calling us to address it.

Yesterday I would not address the issue of Daniel’s prophecy.At the moment I was to address the church age. How did I know not to continue with those other thoughts?

It is the same thing as today. Just because I see it does not mean God wants me to address it.

Obedience of faith has to come from a position of respect and purpose. Purpose sets the boundaries, respect keeps us within those boundaries.

There are many out there that are hearing the gospel message for the first time. Those souls may never have read about Daniel and his special gift. It is not my calling to address those complex issues but to respect the boundaries God has set for me.

His people, the ones that are just getting to know Him do not need me to make things complicated. If I have a desire to discuss the weightier issues in the bible I have some trusted friends to talk with. An unknown audience halfway around the world should not be subjected to my thoughts on these matters. 

I have no desire to be “the answer man”. That is a pride zone that I care not to enter.

As for how I know what God is asking of me, that is a matter of personal relationship.

Matthew 24:3 English Standard Version

Signs of the End of the Age

3 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?”

We do not know which of the disciples asks the questions or if all of them had this on their minds. There are two different questions posed. The first is about His coming back.

In fact Jesus already came back. He came back on Sunday after sundown, the third day. He appeared in their midst and disappeared to appear once again at the sea of Galilee before His ascension. One might ask, “Which coming again are they asking about?”

Even today, two thousands years later we seem to have differing opinions about what His coming again will be like. Rather than drift too far from the topic here, let us not address His coming.

The second question was about the end of an age. What age were they concerned about?

Age in the Greek here is aiōn which has multiple meanings and is of no help in determining the disciples intentions. It could be a span of time not defined or defined by another standard, the end of the world, eternity, or it could have been a Jewish defined age relevant to the Messiah, the Messianic age. 

We live in the church age. The disciples might not have had any concept of a church age. Because of Paul’s writings we now have something those twelve men did not have.

Does their question reflect the church age? Probably not, but since we are in the church age, we might want to know the end of this age. If so, does Jesus answering the questions in Matthew 24:3 address our question for the end of the church age?

Matthew 24:14 English Standard Version (ESV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

We have one common goal with the 12, to preach the gospel.