"SIGNS OF CHRIST RETURN"

Matthew 24:1-14 - Make three observations

Mark 13:1-10 - Make three observations

Luke 21:5-19 - Make three observations

Proposition - This morning we are going to begin a several week study of what is called the Olivent Discourse which is found in Matthew 24-25. This morning we are going to learn about 1) the settings, 2) the confusion, and 3) the clarification.

Interrogative question - Are you ready for Christ’s coming?

1. The Setting - vs. 1-2

Matthew 24:1–2 NASB95

1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

Where is Jesus coming from?

Where were the disciples?

Did the disciples ask a question?

What is the significance of Jesus response?

24:2 not one stone shall be left here. These words were literally fulfilled in A.D. 70. Titus, the Roman general, built large wooden scaffolds around the walls of the temple buildings, piled them high with wood and other flammable items, and set them ablaze. The heat from the fires was so intense that the stones crumbled. The rubble was then sifted to retrieve the melted gold, and the remaining ruins were “thrown down” into the Kidron Valley. See notes on 22:7; Luke 19:43. MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1438). Word Pub.

2. The Confusion - vs. 3

Matthew 24:3 NASB95

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

What are the disciples questions?

When will these things happen?

What will be the sign of your coming?

3. The Clarification - vs. 4-14

Increased Deception - vs. 4-5

Matthew 24:4–5 NASB95

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

Increased Tension - vs. 6-8

Matthew 24:6–8 NASB95

6 “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

24:11 false prophets. Deception both from the world and from within the church will be prevalent (1 John 2:18–27; 4:1–6). Disciples must “test the spirits” to determine whether or not they acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah (1 John 2:22; 4:2–3). Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1873). Crossway Bibles.

Increased Persecution - vs. 9-13

Matthew 24:9–13 NASB95

9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

24:8 Birth pains indicates that there will be a time of suffering prior to the messianic age (cf. Rom. 8:22–23). OT prophets use the metaphor to depict terrible suffering in general (cf. Isa. 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; Jer. 30:5–7; Hos. 13:13) as well as suffering that Israel will endure prior to her deliverance (cf. Isa. 26:17–19; 66:7–11; Jer. 22:23; Mic. 4:9–10). Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1873). Crossway Bibles.

Increased Proclamation - vs. 14

Matthew 24:14 NASB95

14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

SO WHAT?

Are you ready for Christ’s coming? Why or why not??