Olivet Discourse: pt. 2
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Context… Context… Context...
Context… Context… Context...
Fascination with the future
When will the end of the world come?
We try and decode the Olivet Discourse, the book of Revelation, and parts of the OT prophets trying to figure out what the end of the world will be like.
And this fascination with the future causes us to read as if it is speaking about the future. However, as I mentioned in the last message is talking about the disciples future but our past.
Jesus is not giving them signs and symbols for the end of the world, but rather he is giving them signs and symbols about the end of an age, the end of the Jewish age, the end of the Old covenant.
And the context makes this clear.
Disciples in awe of the temple, buildings and stones
Jesus says they are all coming down - the temple is going to be destroyed
Jesus and his disciples go east of the temple to the mount of Olives where Peter and James and John and Andrew ask him about when the Temple is going to be destoryed because they want to be prepared!
Jesus then goes on to talk about the signs of the end of the age; which we discussed last time.
So we must remember that Jesus is talking to his disciples about the destruction of the temple, thus, the end of the temple age, and not about the end of the world.
This is reinforced in vs. 30
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
So two weeks ago we talked about the timing of this prophecy - that everything in this prophecy would take place during their generation. And that the destruction of the temple marks the end.
This week we will look at verse 14-37 and focus on some of the signs of the prophecy.
Signs of the End
Signs of the End
Abomination of Desolation
Abomination of Desolation
When we think about this phrase, if we have been taught in many modern evangelical churches, our minds race to the end of the world during the 7 year tribulation.
In the Left Behind series the Abomination of Desolation is when Nicolae Carpathia sacrifices a pig in the Holy of Holies of the Temple and splashes its blood upon the altar. He also attempts to have the golden image of himself brought into the Temple so people can worship him as God. This outrages the Jews to the point where they are calling for Carpathia's blood, and their response causes Nicolae to break the seven-year agreement of protection for Israel.
This idea of the Abomination of Desolation is not only relegated to fiction books. Many commentaries explain the action as being a future event which is committed by the anti-christ.
The Grace New Testament Commentary 3. Warnings concerning the Great Tribulation Period (13:14–23)
The Great Tribulation will begin with the beast committing the “abomination of desolation.” This event will occur when the beast is “standing where it ought not.” The reader is pointed to the OT Book of Daniel where the term abomination of desolation originates (cf. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). Daniel 9:27 is speaking of the seventieth week of Daniel (i.e., the seven-year Tribulation) when the beast will make a covenant with Israel and will break it “in the middle of the week” (i.e., at the beginning the second half of the Tribulation). He will break the covenant by committing the abomination of desolation.
So how should we understand this phrase Abomination of Desolation?
When Jesus says Abomination of Desolation he is referring directly to Daniel’s prophecies in chapter 9, 11 and 12
says this,
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
What does this phrase mean? The best hebrew translation would be
Biblical Horizons
1989 – 2007
Two Different Words
detestable things that cause desolation
Abomination that makes desolate = detestable thing that causes desolation
Abomination that makes desolate = detestable thing that causes desolation
And a detestable things has to do with sins of idolatry within the sanctuary.
They are great sins done right in the face of God, these sins then lead to desolation.
However, this is not the only time we see abominations
The Abomination of Desolation pattern is an extension of the basic Fall pattern seen repeatedly in the Bible. The Fall pattern is this: God gives His people a kingdom, and then immediately they fall into sin and lose the kingdom, but God is gracious and restores them. At certain climactic times, though, when their sin is extremely great, prolonged, high-handed, and performed right in front of His face, God brings His wrath upon them. God withdraws His presence from them, leaving them desolate, because their sins have become abominable. Once God departs, He brings in an enemy army to destroy His ruined house and His ruined city. The result is that His people are driven into exile, just as they drove Him into exile: eye for eye and tooth for tooth.
The Abomination of Desolation pattern is an extension of the basic Fall pattern seen repeatedly in the Bible. The Fall pattern is this: God gives His people a kingdom, and then immediately they fall into sin and lose the kingdom, but God is gracious and restores them. At certain climactic times, though, when their sin is extremely great, prolonged, high-handed, and performed right in front of His face, God brings His wrath upon them. God withdraws His presence from them, leaving them desolate, because their sins have become abominable. Once God departs, He brings in an enemy army to destroy His ruined house and His ruined city. The result is that His people are driven into exile, just as they drove Him into exile: eye for eye and tooth for tooth.
There are four occurrences of the Abomination of Desolation pattern in the Old Testament, and two preliminary occurrences. They are:
The Flood of Noah.
There are four occurrences of the Abomination of Desolation pattern in the Old Testament, and two preliminary occurrences. They are:
Biblical Horizons
1989 – 2007
The Abomination of Desolation - Part 3: An Overview of the Pattern (by James B. Jordan)
The Abomination of Desolation pattern is an extension of the basic Fall pattern seen repeatedly in the Bible. The Fall pattern is this: God gives His people a kingdom, and then immediately they fall into sin and lose the kingdom, but God is gracious and restores them. At certain climactic times, though, when their sin is extremely great, prolonged, high-handed, and performed right in front of His face, God brings His wrath upon them. God withdraws His presence from them, leaving them desolate, because their sins have become abominable. Once God departs, He brings in an enemy army to destroy His ruined house and His ruined city. The result is that His people are driven into exile, just as they drove Him into exile: eye for eye and tooth for tooth.
There are four occurrences of the Abomination of Desolation pattern in the Old Testament, and two preliminary occurrences. They are:
1. The Flood of Noah.
2. The Apostasy of Eli's Sons.
3. The Apostasy of the priesthood in Ezekiel's day.
4. The Apostasy of the priesthood in the days of the Maccabees.
The Apostasy of Eli's Sons.
The Flood of Noah.
The Apostasy of the priesthood in Ezekiel's day.
The proto detestable action
The Apostasy of the priesthood in the days of the Maccabees.
The Apostasy of Eli's Sons.
Sleeping with women and in the temple and treating the sacrifices as if they were worthless. - God took the ark away from them and had them destoryed by enemy nations
The Apostasy of the priesthood in Ezekiel's day.
Worshiping idols in the face of God. God then removes himself from them and they are defeated by enemy nations.
The pattern is this - God’s people (represented by the high priests) are the ones who do the detestable (or abominable) actions and the result is desolation at the hand of an enemy nation.
So with this in mind lets look at verse 14
“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
So what is the abomination that leads to desolation that Jesus is referring too? What action will take place?
Before the Romans destoryed Temple there were Jewish Zealots who waged war against the religious Jews and they took over the temple. When they did they set up the last and final high priest of the temple.
Therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God, surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will withdraw. My eye will not spare, and I will have no pity.
They set up a man named Phanas (fa-naz).
This man was not worthy of being a high priest - in fact they Jewish Zealots set up installed him as high priest as a joke. He was like a circus clown who made a mockery of the temple and a mockery of the priesthood.
Phanas was high priest from 67-70AD
Side note, do you remember when the gospel of Mark was written? AD 68
This is why Mark adds this little note (let the reader understand)
Mark was letting his readers know that that this clown of a high priest was the one who was committing the abominations in the temple. And if this is the case, then know that the desolation is very close.
The desolation is the the destruction of the Temple by the Romans
Remember, in the OT abominations were done by jewish priests in the sanctuary of God which led to desolation which was carried out by enemy nations. and in this case that nation is Rome.
Jesus is explaining the signs that will lead to the destruction of the temple. From Jesus’ perspective the he does not know exactly when the destruction of the Temple will occur, as we will see later, but he knows that it will happen in their generation. Therefore he wants them to stay awake, and pay attention for the signs
Jesus wants his people to be ready, he wants them to be prepared to save themselves and their familes.
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.
14-
Jesus is saying that when you see these signs get out of town.
If you’re on your roof (a place to socialize) don’t worry about getting anything from your house, just leave
If you’re in the field, don’t even worry about getting your coat
Jesus then remarks how difficult it will be if you are pregnant or nursing infants in those days.
Its hard to run if you are pregnant, as i’m sure the pregnant ladies in this room could attest too.
Jesus tells them to pray that this doesn’t happen in winter because escape is more challenging with the harsh winter weather.
The reason for all of this is because the tribulation that is about to come on Jerusalem is perhaps the worst that mankind has ever had to experience.
We can read, in the historian Josephus, the terrible tale of the siege of Jerusalem; how people starved, ate their own babies to stay alive, fought each other both for scraps of dirty food and for small-scale political gains in the factional fighting, more Jews being killed by other Jews than by the invading Romans. Jesus clearly wanted his followers to get out and run. There was no place for misguided national loyalty, for staying to the bitter end of that appalling time.
Reading some of the descriptions of what happened during this time is enough to turn your stomach.
When the Romans came in to overthrow Jerusalem 1.1 million Jews were killed, however it is said that not one follower of Christ was among them.
The reason for this is because they listened to Jesus. The followers of Christ listened to the words of their savior and in them found life.
20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
21-
20-
So Jesus goes on to tell them that during this time there will be many false christs and false prophets who will try and gather a following. The false christs would try and assure the jews that he would be able to protect them, but clearly when Jerusalem fell, only those who listened to the true Christ would be saved.
Recap:
The abomination of Desolation is better understood as the abomination that leads to desolation
The abomination is an act done by a Jewish Priest - in this case Phanas. and the desolation that follows the abomination is the foreign nation that comes into destroy Jerusalem and the Temple.
Jesus tells them that when they see this abomination they should know that the desolation is coming so they should get out of town ASAP.
Jesus then moves from the abomination that leads to desolation to what will happen after the fall fo the Temple and the Great Tribulation
The Coming of the Son of Man
The Coming of the Son of Man
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
24-
Ok, we might be convinced that the abomination of desolation and the great tribulation happened around the destruction of the temple.
But surly the coming of the son of man, the one who is riding on the clouds must be a future event!
It must be future because Jesus talks about the sun being darkened and the moon will not give light, and the star will be falling from heave and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
clearly what Jesus is describing is end of the world sort of language
I mean the world cannot survive without the sun and the moon. And if the stars were falling then that would be the end of mankind.
Well, first lets look at the Sun, Moon, and Stars
Sun, Moon, and Stars
Sun, Moon, and Stars
This
The first mention of the sun moon and stars are in genesis 1 on the fourth day of creation.
16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.
If we look closely we see that God gives us a hint of the symbolic usage of the sun and moon.
The sun is to rule the day and the moon is to rule the night.
well, the sun doesn’t literally rule the day nor does the moon literally rule the night.
Symbolically though, we see this to be true, and we also see that throughout the bible the sun and moon and stars symbolize rulers, kings and kingdoms
For example do you remember Josephs dream about his father, mother and 11 brothers?
He dreamed that the sun, the moon and 11 stars bowed down to him.
The rulers of Israel ended up coming and bowing down to Joseph in egypt.
Another example is in
19 “The kings came, they fought; then fought the kings of Canaan, at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; they got no spoils of silver. 20 From heaven the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera.
Here this is Hebrew parallelism which is a literary device that explains the same thing in two different ways
The kings came, they fought
The stars fought
So kings are related to stars here in judges 5
The NT also uses the sun, moon and stars in this way
1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.
Rev 12.
This woman is described with the same elements as Joseph’s dream.
This woman represents the the nation of Israel and she is clothed with sun moon and stars
So with this symbolic understanding in mind, that the sun, moon and stars often time represent rulers how are we to understand Jesus’ words in ?
Look with me at
Mark 13:
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
We don’t see any direct parallel in the passage as to what rulers or kingdoms the sun, moon and stars represent… but instead we have this anti-creation language
Instead of the sun shining bright, it is darkened
instead of the moon giving its light, it will not give light
and instead of the stars shining in the heavens, they are falling from the heavens
This is an apocalyptic pronouncement of kingdoms under judgement
Throughout the OT when God would pour out his wrath and judgement on enemy nations it would often be announced in this de-creation sort of way (and the instrument he used was often times other enemy nations)
When Isaiah announces God’s judgement on Babylon he says this
9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.
Sounds very familiar with Jesus words in
When Ezekiel announces God’s judgement on Egypt he says this
7 When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. 8 All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord God.
When Isaiah announces God’s judgement on Edom he says this
4 All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree.
4 All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree. 5 For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it descends for judgment upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.
5 For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it descends for judgment upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.
Isaiah 34 5
Now all these prophecies came true, God did judge these nations. Yet, the sun, moon, and stars were literally left unaffected. The didn’t actually go dark and fall to the ground. This is symbolic language used to describe the fall of nations, not literal language that talks about the end of the physical world.
Mark 13
So when the disciples ask about the destruction of the temple this is the sort of language he uses, the language of de-creation
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
The nation here being judged is not Rome, rather Rome is the instrument God is using to judge Israel. Israel is judged and this is why the temple is destroyed. It is God’s wrath and judgement on a sinful nation who has rejected the messiah.
But Mark goes on
Mark 13.26
26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
We often think that this verse is referring to the end of the world where Jesus will come back on the clouds and call us to himself. And though Jesus is coming back on the clouds as Luke and Paul say, that is not what this verse is talking about.
Here Jesus is referencing Daniel yet again (he already referenced Daniel with the Abomination of Desolation)
Look with me at
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
First we need to see the direction that the Son of Man is going
Second we need to see the purpose of this vision
Third we need to see the result of this vision
Direction
Notice that the Son of Man is not coming from heaven to earth, rather he is moving toward the Ancient of Days - that is God the Father. Do you see that in verse 13?
Ok, Daniel is not talking about Jesus coming on the clouds from heaven to earth, but rather he is talking about when Jesus would go from earth to heaven.
This is a prophecy about the ascension of Christ following the resurrection.
When Jesus ascended to heaven he was presented before the father and took his place at the right hand of the Father.
Purpose of the vision
The ascended Christ has been given something, and what he was given was...
dominion and glory, and a kingdom
And in this kingdom all people would serve him, from every nation and language
Result of the vision
is that his rule, his dominion would be an everlasting dominion
unlike the temple and Jerusalem his dominion will never pass away
And his kingdom unlike Jerusalem will not be destroyed.
What Jesus is doing is saying that after the temple is destoryed, they will see that Jesus is still on the throne! That Jesus’ kingdom has not been shaken, that Jesus kingdom is in fact the kingdom that was sovereign over the destruction of Jerusalem!
And not only that, but his kingdom would spread! to the point that it will one day be a worldwide kingdom.
27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
This word for angels is the same word used for messengers. Jesus is saying that he will send his messengers to gather the elect from the four winds (this is again symbolic to mean to the ends of the earth)
Then states it again in a different way
From the ends of the earth to the ends of the heaven.
This is the advancement of the church throughout history.
Today we live in this time period - we are his messengers proclaiming the gospel, proclaiming his kingdom and gather his elect people from all over wichita, Andover, derby; all throughout Kansas and beyond.
Jesus now moves back into talking about the timing of these events and warning the disciples that these events are coming very soon.
not at the end of the world, but very soon.
The Victory according to Mark: An Exposition of the Second Gospel Judgment on Jerusalem
Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians just as Isaiah prophesied, yet the sun continued to shine and the moon is still giving its light. These poetic metaphors for the destruction of a world power were not meant to be taken literally by Isaiah, and there is no reason to think that Jesus would be using Isaiah’s language differently than Isaiah. His disciples would have no problem understanding Him either, for He is quoting the Scriptures they know well.
Look at verses 28-31
Remember, Jesus is sitting on the mount of Olives with his disciples expalining to them the signs that will lead up to the destruction of the temple.
And no doubt he looks around and see’s many fig trees just starting to be in bloom
So he uses the fig tree as an example as a sign.
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
When you see the the branches putting out leaves you know summer is near, in the same way, when you see these things taking place you’ll know that it is near (that the destruction of the temple is near) in fact, it is at the gates.
And no doubt he looks around and see’s many fig trees just starting to be in bloom
We have looked at verse 30 multiple times, but again he reminds them that all these things are going to happen before this generation passes away.
He then wants the disciples to understand how serious he is, how trustworthy he is, he says, “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”
When Jesus says heaven and earth will pass away he is not talking about the literal heavens and earth, rather de-creation language is symbolic referring to the entire Old Covenant echo system represented by the Temple.
Interesting that the temple itself was modeled according to the heavens and the earth in the creation account.
This was common knowledge for jewish people of Jesus day. So when Jesus says heaven and earth would pass away, in context with the temple, that made perfect sense to the disciples. Heaven and earth is referring to the temple.
Yet, Jesus comforts them in this reality
Though the temple is passing away - my words will never pass away!
Indeed, the words of an eternal king who rules an eternal kingdom will never pass away.
This is where our hope is established. We are to find our hope in the words of our King.
What do we put our confidence in? Things that pass away
Where should we put our confidence and hope? in the words of Jesus
Isn’t it interesting how we can crumble under the words of man, yet we find no comfort in the words of God.
People’s opinions of us can destroy us
People’s criticisms can send us into despair
The priest sacrificed a pig on the alter
We give people’s words great power over us
our words can build and destroy kingdoms
Yet, we should never find our identity in what people say about us
We should never find our hope in peoples promises
our words can
We should never find our purpose from people words
Rather, We should find our hope, our peace, our purpose, our identity, our happiness and our truth from the words of our king - because what he says will never pass away. What he says is true. what he says gives me all that i need.
Ok, in this last section I want to focus on one more verse that is often misunderstood and then move in to the application of this discourse
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
In verse 32 Jesus says,
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
This is a very strange verse indeed. The idea that the Father knows something that the Son does not know can feel problematic.
The reason for that is because this verse is often interpreted as meaning that right now Jesus does not know when he is going to come back for the second coming.
Yet, as we have seen this passage is not talking about the second coming at all, but rather its talking about the destruction of the Temple.
So what Jesus is saying is that right now, in the moment that Jesus is teaching his disciples, he does not know the day or the hour that the temple is going to be destroyed.
The Father has only revealed to him in his human ministry that the temple will be destroyed in this generation. But only the Father knows the day and the hour.
And because of this he warns his disciples yet again, to be on guard, and to stay away
33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
Mark 13:
Three times in this final section Jesus tells his disciples to stay awake.
This moves us into our final point, Throughout this whole sermon Jesus has constantly been reminding of the disciples to stay awake pay attention, be on your guard, make sure no one leads you astray.
Stay Awake!
Stay Awake!
Stay Awake!
Stay Awake!
I went through this chapter and looked at the imperatives Jesus uses with his disciples (imperatives are commands - telling them to do something)
See that know one leads you astray
Mark for Everyone Further Signs of the End (Mark 13:14–27)
He is talking about the moment when foreign armies will take over the Temple. We, with historical hindsight, know that this happened in AD 70. We can read, in the historian Josephus, the terrible tale of the siege of Jerusalem; how people starved, ate their own babies to stay alive, fought each other both for scraps of dirty food and for small-scale political gains in the factional fighting, more Jews being killed by other Jews than by the invading Romans. Jesus clearly wanted his followers to get out and run. There was no place for misguided national loyalty, for staying to the bitter end of that appalling time.
Zealots
The Edomites
The Romans
Do not be alarmed
The Jews
The Need to Hurry
Tribulation
Be on your guard
Do not be anxious
False christs
Pray
Decreation
Do not believe what false teachers say
Be on guard
Learn from the fig tree
Be on guard
Stay awake (3x)
You know, its good and profitable to study a passage like . Its good and profitable to study the book of Revelation and Daniel. Its good to study hard and learn what the scriptures teach as it relates to the end times or the destruction of the temple. This subject is one that has gained a lot of attention over the years which is why its such a controversial topic.
And leaving this morning I hope you are motivated to study these things out and to do so in community.
But Jesus’s emphasis for the disciples was something other than having a grasp on a theological system. But Jesus wanted to make sure the disciples, as men, as people, were prepard for what was to come.
And my friends, that is my greatest hope for you. That you would be a people who are so committed to Christ and to one another that no one will...
See that know one leads you astray
That what you hear and see on TV, that the company you keep, that the blogs you read, or the music you listen to will not lead you astray.
See that know one leads you astray
Do not be alarmed
Be on your guard
Do not be anxious
Pray
Just in the last month I know two pastors who have been led astray from the truth of the gospel. They have disqualified themselves. They have destoryed their familes and have failed to walk with wisdom.
Do not believe what false teachers say
Be on guard
Learn from the fig tree
Be on guard
Stay awake (3x)
Do not be alarmed
He tells them not to be alarmed
If we are prepared we will not be alarmed by this world.
Let us be people who have eyes wide open to the world we live in and be on the offensive as we seek to advance the kingdom of God.
Be on your guard
We must be on our guard. Do you know how we stay on guard?
Read the Bible. study the bible, talk about the bible pray the bible.
Stay in Community
Do not be anxious
Trust that the Spirit of God is at work in you. And that we serve a God who is sovereign over all things. We serve a king who’s kingdom will never fail - we have nothing to be anxious about.
Pray
Let be men and women of prayer. Pray for you friends, pray for your spouse, pray for your children, pray for your church and pray for your elders and pastors.
I life of prayer is a life that is fully awake.
Do not believe what false teachers say
Again, be on guard, Paul says to watch your doctrine and your life closely.
We must be devoted to the truth of God’s word and always be anchoring our wondering hearts to the truth of scripture.
Learn from the fig tree
God has given us a creation that testifies of his glory and teaches of his wonder.
Learn from the fig tree
Job says to his friends, “ask the beats and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you, or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you...” just how great and power God is.
We should be people who are always growing in our knowledge, love, and wonder of who God is and he is teaching us of himself everywhere we look… so lets pay attention.
And finally he tells us to Stay awake.
Stay awake (3x)
my friends, we live in a world that wants to lure us off to sleep.
we live in a world that wants us to become soft to the things of God
We live in a world that wants our affections, wants our love, and wants our families - and they will seek to claim these things at any cost.
Stay awake, keep guard, read your bibles, Love God and love his people, Come to church, take the sacraments, stay in community, and place your faith, hope and love in the victorious king who will never fail.
Let pray.