有關世界末日這個主題已經在講台或書中被炒到一個地步，再沒有什麼新事好說了。所以我們不需再去詳述本章有關末日的各種細節，以及猜測他們可能的應驗。但有幾件事值得注意。

        耶穌這番話是由門徒的問題所引起的。他們問耶穌祂再來及世界末日的預兆是什麼。耶穌的回答提到了四件事：（1）會有許多人來冒稱是基督。（2）會有戰爭、饑荒、和地震。（3）萬民要恨惡信徒。（4）福音要傳遍天下，對萬民作見證。

        就這四件事，耶穌叫我們不要因假先知而驚恐不安，並應瞭解，戰爭、饑荒、和地震都不過是產難的開始。我們也應記住，即使萬民要厭惡耶穌的信徒，但忍耐到底的必然得救。直到萬民都聽見福音，然後末期才來到。耶穌還講了一些其他與末日有關的事。但祂也再次強調祂以前所說的──那日子或那時辰沒有人知道，連天上的使者和子都不知道，惟獨父知道。耶穌在這裡不是強調末日事件的時刻表，雖然祂的確提到，看見所有這些事情（特別是福音傳遍地極）發生的這一代還沒有過去，天國降臨的事就要成就。

        本章的鑰字在第四十二節：「儆醒」。要留意，要敏銳，使你的心常常傾聽聖靈的聲音，並期待主。

         主啊，在這末日，我們求能隨時保持儆醒，等候您隨時再來。願我們絕不打瞌睡而錯過這榮耀的事件。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

         The subject of the end of the age is something that has been written and preached about to the point where one wonders if anything original can be said. So there’s no need to delineate all of the various details of this chapter and speculate as to their possible fulfillment, but there are a few things that jump out at you.

         It starts with the disciples asking Jesus the question of what will be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Jesus responds by mentioning four things: #1 There will be man people claiming to be Christ. #2 There will be all kinds of wars, famines and earthquakes. #3 The whole world will hate the believer and #4 the Gospel will be preached to that whole world as a testimony to all nation.

         In the framework of those four things, Jesus says we’re not to be alarmed at the false prophets, and we should understand that the wars, famines and earthquakes are just the beginning of birth pains. We should also remember that, even while believers are being hated as far as the Gospel of the Kingdom being preached to the world is concerned, the end won’t come until the whole world has heard the message. Jesus then speaks of several other factors contributing to the end of the age. But He stresses again something He has said before – that no one knows the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Jesus does not emphasize end-time agenda or time frame here, although He does say that the generation which sees all of these things (especially the preaching of the Gospel to the whole world), will not pass away until all of the things that have happened culminate in the coming of the Kingdom.

         The key world in this chapter is in verse 42, “Keep watch”. Stay alert. Keep your brain in gear. Keep your heart tuned to the voice of the spirit and expect the coming of the Lord at any time.

         In these last days, oh Lord, we pray that we will be ever ready and watching for Your return at any moment. May we never slumber and miss this glorious event.