"THE GREAT TRIBULATION"

Are you ready for Jesus to come back?

Proposition - As we continue in our study of Matthew this morning we are going to learn about 1) the increase of deception, 2) the increase of false claims, and 3) the evidence of Christ’s return.

Interrogative question - How do you know if you are ready for Christ’s return?

1. The Increase of Deception - vs. 23-25

Matthew 24:23–25 NASB95

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 “Behold, I have told you in advance.

What are these verses talking about?

What are several observations that you can make from the text?

Who is talking?

What is a false christ?

Where else do we learn about deception in the Bible?

24:24 to deceive, if possible, even the elect. This clearly implies that such deception is not possible (John 10:4, 5).

24:26 do not believe it. No one should consider the claims of self-styled messiahs because all of them are false. When Christ returns, no one will miss it (vv. 27, 28).

24:28 the eagles will be gathered together. The location of a carcass is visible from great distances because of the circling carrion birds overhead (cf. Job 39:27–30). Similarly, Christ’s return will be clearly evident to all near and far. The same point is made by the lightning in v. 27. The eagle-carcass imagery here also speaks of the judgment that will accompany His return (Rev. 19:21). MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1439). Word Pub.

2. The Increase of False Claims - vs. 26

Matthew 24:26 NASB95

26 “So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.

Why would anybody make such a claim?

Has this ever been done in the world?

Is Jesus’ coming going to be secret?

3. The Evidence of Christ’s Return - vs. 27-28

Matthew 24:27–28 NASB95

27 “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Do you like thunderstorms?

Why is Jesus’ second coming referred to like lighting?

Why does Jesus mention “corpse and vultures?”

24:28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. It seems best not to “over-interpret” this striking proverbial expression. It probably means simply that, just as people from far away can see vultures circling high in the air, Christ’s return in judgment will be visible and predictable. A similar view is that the vultures suggest the widespread death that will accompany the return of Christ to judge those who have rejected his kingdom. In either case, it will be impossible for people not to see and recognize the return of Christ. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1874). Crossway Bibles.

SO WHAT??

Are you ready for Christ’s return?