15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”
Eventually, dear friends, all this earthly “stuff” - everything that is now so all important and all consuming - will one day be as nonsense. All the things in our houses which we labor to buy and take care of and insure, all the clothes on our backs – even the newest and highest of fashions - in a mere blinking of an eye will not be necessary. You can count on it. Indeed, Luke records Jesus on His way to being crucified telling His followers not to weep for Him rather they should weep for themselves and for their children because the day fast approaches. If Christ was treated this way while He walked this sin filled earth – constantly having His message rejected when He was physically present - when the tree was green as He states below, how much more would His message be refused in future years when the tree becomes barrenly dry?
26 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Luke 23:26-31 (NIV)
It is no wonder Peter seeks to “stimulate us to wholesome thinking” regarding end time events - teaching us how we should live:
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:3-13 (NIV)
“Never be afraid to live for Jesus. Never be ashamed to live for Jesus. Never be apathetic in living for Jesus. Be committed.” Anne Graham Lotz
Many a kingdom has been made desolate by great distresses yet God promises in our verses for today there will never be desolation like the one promised during the great tribulation. Indeed, its horror will be unequaled. His heads up to us was given by the Prophet Daniel as well regarding ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ set up in the holy place during the great tribulation. It serves as the greatest observable sign during that period. The Antichrist will desecrate the temple of God by setting up an abominable image of himself to be worshiped. Such an event will be clearly recognized by everyone. Paul sheds more light for us regarding this in 2 Thessalonians to keep us from confusion:
1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thess 2:1-4 (NIV)
Lastly, Jesus is always concerned for His people and for the sake of His elect, He states the days will be shortened. As believers, Christ is our covenant partner – our big brother who has our back so to speak. When someone messes with His children, they mess with Him – and He is always victorious. Praise Him!
“He who stands today representing the interests of His people is very God of very God, to whom every knee shall bow. Happy are we who belong to such a Shepherd, whose humanity communes with us, and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bow down before Him as the people of His pasture.” Charles H. Spurgeon