LESSON #1 - SEVEN GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT MATTHEW 24

out of their discourses matters of minor consequence, and present the truths that will decide the destiny of souls. Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 148
Fact #2: Matthew 24 is not primarily a message for the world in general but rather for those who claim to be God’s own people.
The main purpose of Matthew 24 is not to convince secular people that Jesus is coming soon because of the signs that are transpiring in the political, economic, social and religious world. The central purpose is to keep God’s own people faithful in the midst of Satan’s end-time deceptions and persecutions.
Jesus told His followers that Satan is going to exert all his efforts to deceive, discourage, persecute and kill with the intent of leading God’s people to lose their faith. The purpose of the chapter is to encourage the faithful to hang in there!
Matthew 24:4: Jesus was speaking to His own disciples:
“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’
Matthew 24:5: (the expression “in My name.” indicates that they are Christians.
“For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.”
Matthew 24:15, 16: Only believers would be able to understand the sign that Daniel spoke about:
“Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.