God has declared the end since the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). This is a message that is repeated over and over in the Bible. He does this so that we will be prepared for it. It's almost as though you were getting the answers to an approaching test, but it's not a "cheat sheet", because the Teacher is saying, "Here, I've given you the answers, now you just study it real good." That's good news. That's "gospel". And it's true. In fact, the title of this post refers to the beginning of the New Testament. Right when John the Baptist comes out and starts preaching, the first thing he's recorded as saying is, "Repent ye: for the Kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 3:2)." Similarily when Jesus begins His ministry, the first thing He preaches is, "Repent: for the Kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 4:17)." That means, "this age could come to an end at any moment, henceforth from this moment." People take this further to think that Jesus will appear at any moment and there will not be a tribulation - if you are tempted to think this now, read my last post where God lays out very clearly the events that will happen before the end of this age. Notwithstanding, these first teachings by John and Jesus make it very apparent that "understanding the end times" is a part of understanding the gospel.
The last post laid out Mark 13 in detail, but that was not the end of Jesus' teachings when He was giving that speech. Matthew 24 is the same speech as Mark 13, but Jesus continues teaching lessons about the end times and judgment in Matthew 25. There are three additional parables that give more understanding of what is to come. The parables let you know, once you have a knowledge of what the end times are to bring, what you are supposed to do with that knowledge. It is a continuation of the gospel.
I say it is a continuation because the all of the teachings of Jesus were "gospel" (meaning "good news"), in that they all told of His salvation. Knowing what is going to happen in the end IS good news, though some don't want to look at it that way. People will cut some of that message out and say, "only this part is the gospel," or, "only this is important," while others will add to it, saying, "you also needed this." Do not believe them! (My next post will touch on this.)
John warned against these methodologies in Revelation 22:18-19, saying, "if man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life..." which, in turn, is echoed from Dueteronomy 4:2, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it." And it was also taught by figure in the law of how to build an altar (see next post).
Paul also stated the importance of all scriptures when he wrote his second letter to Timothy, saying, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reporoof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17)." So the entire gospel, including the continuation, is important for us to know, especially if you are a person that lives in the "end times". The first parable that Jesus teaches in Matthew 25 teaches you that. I will be going into those three additional parables, but there is some groundwork to lay first, which has been brought up in an online study group of mine; I think it is important in regards to "what you are supposed to do with the knowledge of the end times" and the approach to delivering the message.
The key to this post, however, is knowing that if you are still reading this, you can still repent. God has left repentance open to anyone and everyone up until the very last moment of this age. Please don't take this as me saying that someone can put it off... because we could pass away at any moment. But take this as me saying, if you are reading this and it connects with you, then this is your opportunity to repent, right now, right where you are, get on board this train, and begin the journey into a fantastic life full of blessing. Paul told us how to do it in Romans 10:9, saying, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." That is the first step to wisdom in God. The next was given by God in Ezekiel 18, saying, "if the wicked man will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and will keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done shall he live." Don't know what the commandments and statutes are? Jesus put it very succinctly to give you some time to learn them if you are a beginner, saying, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40)." The golden rule. Treating others as you would be treated will get you through until you learn the rest of the law and the prophets (if that is your goal) and it is key in loving God with all your heart soul and mind. The first baby steps to "perfection", or maturity in God's Word. Spread the good news. God bless.
