Anticipation for the End Times

Olivet Discourse- 3 TITLE: Anticipation for the End Times TEXT: Matthew 24:29-35 TONE: Encouragement TARGET: Believers TASK: To encourage believers to live with anticipation of Christ imminent return. TEACH: If you would imagine a child on the night before their birthday, waiting with eager anticipation. The house is a buzz of preparation -decorations subtly hinting at the celebration to come. Inside, a locked cupboard hides a wonderous surprise: a gift long wished for; a promise long awaited. The child can hardly sleep for the expectation of what tomorrow will bring, replaying visions of previous birthdays when surprises were revealed, and joy overflowed. Now, consider an engaged couple awaiting their wedding day. They count down the months, the weeks, and the days. Each moment brings them closer the culmination of longing, to the joy of union, and the new life they will begin together. Everything they do is imbued with purpose and hopeful a...