The End: Jesus' return will not be covert

Jesus teaches us not to be fooled... that when he returns it will not be covert.  His return will be unmistakable.
Matthew 24:22-28 ²² And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. ²³ Then if anyone says to you, 'Look! Here is the Messiah!' or 'There he is!'-- do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ Take note, I have told you beforehand. ²⁶ So, if they say to you, 'Look! He is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look! He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. ²⁷ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Most of us are so caught up in the activities of our lives that we aren't very concerned about the Messiah's return.  We are even less concerned about how we will identify him when he returns.  Yet, Jesus wants us to be watching and aware.  This awareness somehow changes our daily living to know that this life is not all there is... that Jesus' death and resurrection were not the end... that there is more to come.  And we are players in this cosmic event.   

One thing that my mind holds onto here is Jesus' words:   "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." It would seem "the elect" - those hidden in Christ - those who are Jesus' followers - will not be led astray.  Sounds like it will be a struggle, but Christ will not lose any that the Father has given him: "No one will snatch them out of my hand" John 10:28.   So not only do Jesus' followers need to be mindful of their place in history, but they can rest that their souls are safe in Jesus' hands.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he is returning, that it will not be covert, and that his follower's souls are protected?  How does that knowledge change how you live this day?  Will you take new risks?  Will you invite others into this safe, protected place?  Will you have a sense of protection despite extreme danger?