Joseph Smith - Matthew 1; Matthew 24-25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21 - Come Follow Me with Sam

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Joseph Smith Matthew 

I'm only going to focus on Joseph Smith's translation of Matthew 23 for this section.

Keep in mind that Joseph Smith's translation is a bit of a misnomer - Joseph smith was moreso using direct revelation from the lord to either clarify meaning or restore parts taken out.

Oh, and other great news, I get to pick up exactly where my last post dropped off:

1 For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him. Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God.

Christ instructs His disciples how to teach the people when Jerusalem is destroyed. He uses it to also instruct us how to prepare for the second coming.

Preparing for the second coming can be very difficult. When Christ came in the first coming, pretty much no one was truly prepared; some figured it out while He was here, while others just completely missed it.

So these precious verses are important to read carefully and use to receive a fullness of the Spirit so you can know what to do in these last days.

Christ focuses on Daniel's abomination of desolation. I don't know what that is but I will do some research.

Christ mentions that iniquity shall abound, and the love of many shall wax cold. We are to remain steadfast in response, and not be overcome. The world is upside down enough that that is a real thinker, but its a big deal.

- when the time comes to flee, we are to give everything up and not come back

- when false Christs come, they will show great signs and wonders.

- 'if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.'

- when Christ really comes, it will be as obvious as when the sun comes out. its going to be really obvious. There may be controversy on many of the events leading up to this moment, but when Christ himself appears, the controversy will be over. It won't be because of His signs and of His wonders, it will be the real deal with or without those.

- its going to take most people by surprise. This seems like a 'no-duh', but its important. Most people will tell you its not happening at the time. 'Most people' will be wrong.

- Christ drops this verse

47 But know this, if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to have been broken up, but would have been ready.

I would like to clarify that I don't believe Christ is playing a cat and mouse game with us, one where he is just waiting to tease us and catch us. I feel this is more of a spiritual readiness necessity. Christ could tell us 'first half the world will be covered by water, then the other half by fire, so on this day to to the unwatered half, then on this day, go to the unfired half. And we could do it. but when He comes again, we would be the same unprepared human beings. We would be preserved from physical disaster, but with no salvific change in us. It seems to me that Christ instead says 'purify your souls and then you will know exactly what to do no matter what happens AND you will be saveable material by the end of that ordeal as well.'

great verse to end on is this one

37 And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.