Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

What I want is for Christ’s second coming to put an end to all the evil in this world.

What I want doesn’t change anything. What can I do to bring about the results I want?

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

So in my reality, I am doing what I can to bring an end to all this. That is my idea of an end. Jesus does not actually say here to what end. End of the world? End of sin? End of the church age? Perhaps it is an end I haven’t thought about. Which of these endings will satisfy my wants?

Many years ago my wants were different, worldly, sinful and I wanted an end to that. God in His mercy relieved me of some of it by redeeming me. I didn’t know what that meant then, I do now.

My wants changed as I changed. Praise God. I still have wants, only the things I want have changed.

Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

I discovered that the only sacrifice I can make to satisfy God is the One He provided.

Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

His sacrifice put an end to the need for ordinances in order to know God.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

This is my spiritual bomb shelter. Is today the day of trouble? Probably not.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Now I want to know the lesson of the fig tree.