The Coming Christ and the Cheap Counterfeits

Big Idea: Jesus is coming again! His coming will be unmistakable, and it is guaranteed.

Introduction: I bear a passing resemblance to Chris Pratt. I was once mistaken for him at a Japanese restaurant.

But, you would imagine that if I were Chris Pratt, there would be several accompanying signs.

First of all, I would probably act like a celebrity.

Secondly, other people in the restaurant likely would have reacted to my presence.

Thirdly, I probably would be ordering something nicer than the cheapest thing on the menu.

Fourth, Christ Pratt is like 15 years older than me.

If that cashier had stepped back from the situation for a moment, she would have figured out that I was not Chris Pratt.

Transition: Today’s passage shows us the appearance of someone far greater than any movie star or celebrity. Someone whose appearance will be mistaken by some but whose true identity is known by others.

Context: We are approaching the conclusion of Mark’s account of the Olivet Discourse, and we have finally arrived at the pinnacle of Jesus’ prophecy - the Return of Christ!

But Jesus’ return will be confusing to many, and the Devil will spread falsehoods to deceive and distract.

READ PASSAGE HERE - Mark 13:21-31

Mark 13:21–31 KJV 1900

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

i. The Cheap Counterfeits

King James Version Chapter 13

21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

These false Christs will deceive the world.

Explanation: Notice that there is someone who will say, “here is Christ” or “he is there”

This could be a false prophet or it could be someone who was deceived. At any rate, there are those who will believe in the false Christs.

For what purpose will there be false Christs? To seduce!

These false Christs will perform miracles.

Explanation: How can this be? Some will be charlatans doing cheap tricks. Some will be empowered by demonic forces.

Illustration: Pharaoh's sorcerers were able in some instances to replicate Moses’ miracles.

Application: Do we have false miracles today? What is their purpose? To seduce!

These false Christs will fail to deceive God’s people.

Explanation: The “if it were possible” indicates that it is not possible. God’s chosen will not believe in false Christs.

Application: Even today, those who are tossed about and following after every fad of “Christianity” and listening to every voice undiscernedly. They are not living like God’s elect.

Illustration: Jesus said, “John 10 the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Application: Those who are Christs’ evidence their salvation in that they know the voice of Christ and the voice of the fakes. If someone claims faith in Christ but immediately sees a shiny false teacher and follows after them and practices after a false gospel, I believe that person should be treated as an unbeliever and we should take them the gospel, pure and simple, once again.

transition: But these false teachers cannot replicate the true glory of the coming Christ.

ii. The Coming Christ

King James Version (Chapter 13)

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Christ’s coming will be identified by cosmic signs

Compare Jesus’ teaching to other witness of Scripture.

Joel 2:31 (KJV) “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”

Amos 5:20 “Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?”

Isaiah 13:9-10 “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”

Revelation 6:12-14 “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”

Christ’s coming will demonstrate His power and glory.

Explanation: Those false Christs, they could produce nothing like Christ. He is supreme over all.

The prophets of Muhammed cower before the magnificence of Christ.

The harbingers of the prosperity gospel shrink before his power.

And the Beast and the antichrist will shrivel before the glory of Christ!

Illustration: Consider the glory of Christ.

Philippians 2:9-11

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Ephesians 1:20-23

“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Revelation 1:17-18

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

When Christ comes the world will experience His glory.

But the Bible tells us that even today, we should recognize His glory.

We should fear Him because of His glory.

We should bow before Him because of His glory.

We should honor Him because of His glory.

Don’t forget that Jesus, our friend, advocate, and brother - Is also The King of Glory.

Christ’s coming will result in salvation.

27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Explanation: This gathering might sound like the rapture, but it is not. It is a gathering of those Tribulation Saints so that they will not endure the final judgment. Remember, Jesus already said, “whosoever endures to the end shall be saved.” And that salvation is manifest at the second coming when the elect are gathered into heaven.

Consider the value of this teaching to Mark’s immediate audience. In the midst of persecution, they needed to see God’s end goal for all the hardship. That goal is salvation. This is God’s character - He saves us from our own destruction.

iii. The Concrete Commitment

King James Version (Chapter 13)

28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Christ’s coming will be identifiable by the gathering of the Tribulation Saints and the cosmic signs.

Also by the Abomination of Desolation

Explanation: This parable is quite simple. Fig trees bloom in the spring, and the branches become tender just before they begin to bloom. The abomination of desolation, then the cosmic signs, then the gathering of the saints will be unmistakable evidence that Jesus’ return is “at the door.”

Christ’s coming is immanent.

30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done

Explanation: this saying is hard to discern. Certainly, Jesus’ immediate hearers would experience the shadow of these things in AD 70 with the destruction of the Temple, but we have discussed before that this could not be the final fulfillment.

If it had been, Jesus would have already returned!

It might be better to think of “this generation” as referring to the generation who has witnessed the signs and abomination of desolation, etc. If that is the case, it might be a reiteration of the promise that the elect will not be wiped out before the coming of Christ, they will be preserved.

But, what we will learn from verses 32-37 will be Jesus’ emphasis on watchfulness. To watch for the Day of the Lord. To be ready.

Christs’ coming is certain.

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Explanation: This is not about the Bible. This is about the surety of the promises and prophesies of Jesus. Even though the world will pass away, Jesus’ words will still be fulfilled.

This brings us back to the whole point of the Olivet Discourse: don’t fear. God is in control.

Even in the midst of the false Christs doing miracles and the darkening of the heavens and the falling stars - God is still in control, Jesus’ words will still come to pass, and we can rely on His promises.

Application: Build your life on the promises of Jesus.

Illustration: The parable of the wise and foolish builders

Application: Is your life built on the promises of Jesus.

Does your career trajectory reflect that Jesus is coming again?

Does your free time reflect that Jesus is coming again?

Does your personal holiness reflect that Jesus is coming again?

Jesus says, these words aren’t passing away; it’s going to happen.

Count on it, build your life on it, form your worldview on it.

Here’s your assignment: Consider how your life might be different if you truly believed Jesus was coming again!