The End Is Near? (2)
Matthew 24 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 14 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
22 Mar 26 Matthew 24b
Please turn to Matthew 24. This is a generalized sermon – just things to think about. For thousands of years humans have been fascinated with the “End Times” or the final apocalypse - the end of the world. End-time predictions are a part of numerous religions – Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Mayan, and Native American – almost every religion has something to say about this. There are many non-religious perspectives as well – those who agree that our world is close to the end. For instance, the renowned Doomsday Clock, which was created in 1947, recently moved 85 seconds closer to “midnight,” (i.e. the end). According to this organization, unless something changes humanity is on the brink of destruction. This is not unique to the Judeo- Christian faith.
When we talk about End Times, Western Christians in particular tend to gravitate toward earthquakes and other catastrophic events, the mark of the beast, the antichrist, a global government, the 7-year tribulation and the rapture. That’s fine to be aware of such things, but these topics are never a primary issue in Scripture. If I remember correctly, apocalyptic literature makes up about 2% of the Bible. Nonetheless, humans are curious.
In Matthew 24, the disciples were curious and wanted to know about “the End.” So Jesus gave them what we call the Olivet Discourse – Matt. 24-25 – which is all about the End Times.
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
Then they exit Jerusalem.
As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Perhaps you have asked similar questions – and nothing wrong with that, but we do need to keep a proper perspective regarding the “End.” As I mentioned last week, I think there are
5 Critical End Time Themes
(a word or principal that was repeated) to be aware of to help us keep a proper perspective.
The first two we talked about last week.
1. The “End Times” is past, present and future.
The “End” has been unfolding since Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave. Christians need not worry about when because when is now. We are in it. We are to anticipate Christ’s return, He is our hope, but not fret or panic. In v6, Jesus tells us to not be alarmed by any of this – meaning do not be filled with apprehension or anxiety or unduly concerned.
2. Genuine faith is necessary.
Matthew 24:12–13 … lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
A reminder this is not about works or effort that saves. This is about enduring to the “End,” whether it’s “The End” or your end – it’s that genuine faith in Christ that compels us to endure. How do you know if your faith is genuine? Generally speaking,
Genuine saving faith trusts, obeys, participates with and conforms to Christ.
Good time to ask yourself some questions. “Am I trusting …?”
A third critical theme regarding the “End Times” is this
3. God wants us to persist in the essential truths of the faith.
E.g. salvation is found in no one else – Jesus of Nazareth who came in the flesh is the way, the truth and the life …. That is essential – must persist.
Disciples wanted to know what and when about the End, but he first thing Jesus told them was – Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
Verse 11 -
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
This is a serious concern for the Body of Christ. If you think, “No way I’m going to be led astray. I know the truth. I read my Bible. I grew up in the church. I’ve watched The Chosen. God’s got me” – why do you think companies spend billions of dollars every year seducing us – I mean advertising? Because it works. We humans are prone to the art of manipulation and propaganda (i.e. public relations). We are prone to deception. And the one who thinks otherwise – that concerns me. Paul wrote in
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Who’s responsibility is it to know the truth and not be deceived? It’s ours. We cannot become complacent in the faith and what we know to be true.
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
And Jesus warned,
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
When the End comes …
So how do we keep ourselves from being deceived. Multiple ways come to mind like studying the truth, but two stand out that are universal.
A) Resist doubt and confusion.
God is not the author of confusion. If you know the truth and then find yourself doubting or confused about the truth, not God. As I look back into my life and the lives of many others,
The greatest deceptions began with the slightest, most subtle and almost imperceivable whispers of doubt and confusion against the truth.
It’s Gen. 3 - “Did God actually say …?” There’s a big deception coming …. A complacent lackadaisical faith won’t cut it.
Secondly,
B) Resist isolation.
The more withdrawn and isolated a person becomes from Christ and God’s family – the more susceptible a person is to deceit and falling away. Easy to pick off.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Do a little heart check. Any doubts you’re entertaining? Isolating self?
Fourth critical theme is this
4. God wants us to live and finish well.
Finishing well is about love …. In Matthew 24, Jesus told a short parable about a servant and his master. The master left for a long time and the servant, instead of diligently tending to his duties, decides to live it up, party, eat, drink, and be merry as if the Master would never return. The servant became complacent. Kind of like a person who lives like a Christian on Sunday, but like the devil Monday – Saturday or ….
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Stay awake means – keep living, keep serving faithfully, keep doing, keep obeying, keep following Jesus and loving Jesus ….
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
Look, The worst thing we Christians can do regarding the “End Times” is to disengage and to watch people die without Jesus. We have the privilege and responsibility to stay engaged in whatever ministry God has called us to, to keep doing what God has called us to do until you know who sings. Until Jesus returns, the hungry still need fed, the poor still need help, the widow, orphan …. Bigfoot needs to be found – and
Until Jesus returns the lost still need Jesus.
And that is what Jesus is mostly concerned about – that His people continue His mission until He returns. DS asked us to pray for a movement of God –
Give me (us) a passion for Christ and a burden for the lost.
C.S. Lewis wrote this –
“If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things -
praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts -
not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (any microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.” ~ C.S. Lewis
This reminds me of when the RMS Titanic sank in 1912, killing over 1,500 people. Several of the survivors stated that the ship’s band kept playing a hymn as it sank – Nearer, O God to Thee. Imagine the courage and the fortitude … the steadiness. We should be like that as the Day draws near. Not a time to be like Chicken Little screaming that the sky is falling. The world needs stability.
The 5th critical theme is – no matter what or when or how The End plays out
5) CHRIST, OUR KING IS VICTORIOUS!
What is the Spirit saying to you?
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
