Living in anticipation of Jesus' second coming

02. June 2026

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living in anticipation of Jesus' second coming

Day 2: Signs of the End Times and the Return of Our Messiah

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:1–51

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Day 2 — Hello, Church!

I got an amazing response from yesterday’s devotion across every group, and I truly believe God is doing something special after this fasting season.

I’ve noticed that our devotion reading has gone up significantly, and this shows me that there is a revival sweeping across our district. Let us hold tightly to what God is doing through these devotions. Sometimes revival does not begin in a stadium. Sometimes revival begins with a Bible opened in the morning, a believer spending time in prayer, and a heart that is hungry for God.

With the help of God and the tools that He has made available to us, I am certain that He will give me the strength required to continue bringing these devotions to you. We are living in a highly technological world, and rather than complain about technology, we will use every available resource and platform to bring the Word of God to God’s people.

My name is Pastor Joseph Antwi, and I am honored to be your servant. I am grateful for the opportunity to journey through the Scriptures with you each day.

Today, we continue our theme:

Living in Anticipation of the Return of Jesus Christ Our Messiah

Church, we cannot speak about the return of Jesus Christ without carefully studying Matthew chapter 24. In this chapter, Jesus Himself answers questions about the end times, His return, and the signs that would precede His coming.

Today’s Scripture reading is intentionally longer than usual because I do not want us to merely read a devotion about the return of Christ. I want us to hear directly from Christ Himself.

So before you continue, please open your Bible and carefully read:

Matthew 24:1–51

Read it slowly.

Read it prayerfully.

Read it with expectation.

Underline the verses that speak to you.

Write down what stands out to you.

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart through the text.

This is a living book. Every time we read it, it speaks afresh. And the more we read it, the more we see the events Jesus spoke about unfolding before our very eyes.

If we have time for breakfast, lunch, and supper, surely we can make time for God’s Word.

Whether you are on a train, in a tram, on your lunch break, sitting at home, or listening to worship music quietly in the background, make time to read today’s passage.

Don’t rush it.

Don’t skip it.

Let the Word speak to you first.

Now, let’s get right into today’s devotion.

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1. Jesus Answered the Question We Are Still Asking Today (Matthew 24:1–3)

Matthew 24 begins with Jesus leaving the temple. His disciples were fascinated by the beauty and grandeur of the temple buildings. Yet Jesus shocked them by declaring that a time would come when not one stone would be left upon another.

The disciples then asked Him three important questions:

• 📅 When will these things happen?

• 🔍 What will be the sign of Your coming?

• 🌍 What will be the sign of the end of the age?

Church, these are still the same questions people are asking today.

• ⏳ Is the world coming to an end?

• 🕰️ Are we living in the last days?

• 👑 How close are we to the return of Christ?

Jesus did not ignore these questions. Instead, He gave us a detailed picture of what the world would look like before His return.

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2. Do Not Be Deceived (Matthew 24:4–5)

The very first warning Jesus gave was not about wars, earthquakes, persecution, or economic collapse.

His first warning was:

“Take heed that no man deceive you.”

Church, one of the greatest signs of the end times is deception.

And today, deception is everywhere.

Particularly through social media, many voices have emerged that openly discredit the Bible, mock the authority of Scripture, teach false doctrines, and even deny the genuine manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

Many people today consume spiritual content all day online but have no local church, no spiritual covering, no accountability, and no shepherd speaking into their lives. This is dangerous.

If believers are only feeding on random teachings online without being planted in a Bible-believing church, they become highly vulnerable to deception.

Today people leave healthy churches, travel long distances in search of miracles, prophets, signs, and wonders, only to return empty because they were searching for God in a place where their hearts were never prepared to meet Him.

The Bible says in James 4:8,

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Jesus also said in Matthew 18:20,

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Church, God is present in your local assembly.

Do not fall into the trap of constantly chasing extraordinary experiences while neglecting the ordinary means through which God works daily.

After COVID, one of the greatest dangers facing the church is digital deception.

Let us remain grounded in Scripture, planted in healthy churches, and submitted to godly leadership.

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3. The Signs Are All Around Us (Matthew 24:6–8)

Jesus said:

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars.”

Church, the Bible is a living book.

When Jesus spoke these words, wars already existed. Yet every generation continues to witness the fulfillment of these signs.

Today we hear of tensions involving Iran, America, and Israel. We see China and Taiwan in geopolitical conflict. We see the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. We hear daily reports of unrest, terrorism, conflict, and instability in various parts of the world.

Do not tell me the words of Jesus are outdated.

They are as relevant today as when they were first spoken.

The signs have never disappeared.

They continue to remind us that we are moving closer to the fulfillment of God’s prophetic timetable.

Yet Jesus says,

“See that ye be not troubled.”

Church, these signs are not meant to terrify believers.

They are meant to prepare believers.

The King told us beforehand what would happen so that when we see these things, our faith increases rather than decreases.

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4. Many Will Fall Away (Matthew 24:9–13)

Jesus warned that many would become offended, betray one another, hate one another, and fall away.

Because lawlessness would increase, the love of many would grow cold.

One of the enemy’s greatest strategies in the last days is to make believers lose their passion for God by creating unnecessary offense, bitterness, complaints, dissatisfaction, comparison, jealousy, and division.

Paul also warned in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 that in the last days people would become lovers of themselves, boastful, proud, unloving, unforgiving, and lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

Church, pay attention.

• This is not a season to quit.

• This is not a season to be upset.

• This is not a season to leave your position.

• This is not a season to allow offense to enter your heart.

This is a season to fasten your seatbelt spiritually because the devil will play the offense game.

• Guard your heart.

• Protect your passion for God.

• Stay planted.

• Stay faithful.

• Stay committed.

Jesus said:

“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

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5. The Gospel Must Reach the Nations (Matthew 24:14)

One of the most exciting verses in this chapter says:

“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.”

Church, this is why we evangelize.

This is why we plant churches.

This is why we are preparing to go to Delémont.

We are not going to Delémont because we simply like the city.

We are not going because we are looking for another project.

We are going because souls must be saved.

We are going because Jesus gave us the Great Commission.

• FCC has the people.

• FCC has the gifts.

• FCC has the talent.

• FCC has the capacity.

Jesus said in Acts 1:8:

“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.”

Church, the power has already come upon us.

Now it is time to become witnesses.

• We are not waiting for another angel to appear.

• We are not waiting for another vision.

• We are not waiting for a supernatural sign before we obey.

We are going because the Word of God has already spoken.

And we believe that when we step out in obedience, God will speak even more clearly.

The Gospel must reach the nations.

And we intend to do our part.

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6. Stay Ready at All Times (Matthew 24:36–51)

Jesus makes it clear that no one knows the exact day or hour of His return.

Our responsibility is not to predict dates.

Our responsibility is to be ready.

Just as people were eating, drinking, marrying, and carrying on with life in the days of Noah, many will be doing the same when Christ returns.

Church, there is nothing wrong with working, studying, building a career, getting married, or planning for the future.

The danger is becoming so occupied with earthly things that we forget eternal realities.

• Live ready.

• Pray ready.

• Serve ready.

• Forgive quickly.

• Love deeply.

• Remain faithful.

Because our Messiah is coming again.

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Final Charge

Church family,

• Remain grounded in Scripture.

• Refuse deception.

• Guard your heart from offense.

• Stay planted in God’s house.

• Share the Gospel boldly.

And never forget:

Jesus Christ is coming again.

The King is coming.

Our Messiah is coming.

Let us be found faithful when He returns.

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Chair Time

Take a few moments after reading Matthew 24 and ask yourself:

• Am I grounded in God’s Word?

• Am I vulnerable to deception?

• Is there any offense growing in my heart?

• Am I actively participating in the Great Commission?

• Am I living in anticipation of Christ’s return?

Write down what the Holy Spirit speaks to you and spend time praying about it.

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Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word.

Protect us from deception.

Keep us grounded in Scripture.

Help us to remain faithful, passionate, and focused on Your mission.

May we be found ready when our Lord and Messiah Jesus Christ returns.

In Jesus’ mighty name,

Amen.

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Please leave a comment below and share what the Lord revealed to you during your chair time. Your comments encourage others and help us grow together in God’s Word.

Please say a word of prayer for me and my family as well, that the Lord will strengthen us, protect us, guide us, and continue to use us for His glory. Thank you, and may God richly bless you.

Shalom

Rev Joseph Antwi

Happy birthday to Sister Amelie and Ashley and anyone celebrating birthday this week!May the lord hold you with His righteous hand, amen🥳🥳🥳