The Time of the End
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Big idea: The signs of the times are spiritual.
Big idea: The signs of the times are spiritual.
The Question of the Disciples
The Question of the Disciples
Matthew 24:1-
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Explain: The disciples are admiring the Temple, the center of the Jewish world. Jesus announces it will be destroyed, and the disciples ask what is going to happen.
Some have treated this as three questions, but and , they are asking about the fall of the temple. The question is then: When will this happen? The time where you life up your reign and the temple age (ends? They believed this would be one event. In an imminent showdown, the Temple is going to be overrun, the old order defeated and Jesus will establish His royal reign.
Illustrate: What would you say if I told you the United States was going to be completely wiped out? Impossible.
Argue: It was natural for them to think that the end of the world as they knew it was the end of the age. But kingdoms may fall, life may change dramatically without the basic problems of life changing. Sin/Disease/Death
Apply: In what ways do you assume things are permanent which are actually fleeting?
The world will decay.
The world will decay.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
:4-8
Explain: Throughout history, people have seen many things as harbingers of the end. The apostles thought the fall of the Temple must be the final straw. People have looked at political systems, wars and natural catastrophes and thought “This is how the world will fall!” But war, earthquake and famine are the normal course of life in this fallen world. The end is not yet, this is just the beginning of labor pain.
Explain: Throughout history, people have seen many things as harbingers of the end. The apostles thought the fall of the Temple must be the final straw. People have looked at political systems, wars and natural catastrophes and thought “This is how the world will fall!”
Illustrate: Metaphor of labor pains - closer together and more intense.
Argue: War may cause much suffering, but this is not how it all ends. A meteor may strike, but this is not how it all ends. Global warming, bad politicians, disease and every other problem of this life may make our lives under the sun less pleasant, but their solution comes from above the sun.
Apply: No ultimate fear of these things.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
: 9-
Explain: Apart from the general pattern of life, the real indicator of the end is spiritual. The persecution of Christians and the rise of lying false prophets creates an increasingly fractured landscape. The spread of the gospel is the delay of the end.
Illustrate: Buy fruit that looks good, but is spoiled when you pick it up. It is the inside that reveals the real condition.
Argue: Two things are progressing in this section. The world is moving for the worse, and the gospel is advancing in the hearts of all those God knows will be saved. Visibly, there is a decline. But like leaven or the roots of a tree, God marches on.
Apply: Troubles are not evidence that things have spiralled out of control, but proof that it is in control. Look very carefully at the order in verse 12 - sin multiplies, so the love of many grows cold. Sin hardens the hearts of the people, and gradually humanity sinks deeper and deeper into sin.
The Great Tribulation will purify.
The Great Tribulation will purify.
Matthew 24:15-
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Explain: The discussion of sabbath, etc shows this is focusing on Israel. Jesus has slid into the second half of the Tribulation - the Great Tribulation.
Illustrate:
Argue: God sweeps in to deliver his remnant.
Apply: God will not give you more than you can handle is a false promise. This was more than they could handle, but he provides escape.
The King will return.
The King will return.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before.
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Explain: Do not be deceived. When Jesus returns, you will know. carcase/eagles is the equivalent of smoke/fire.
Illustrate: Not looking for the undertaker, but the uppertaker.
Argue:
Apply: We are not looking for a secret coming, secret knowledge or secret revelation. We are looking for the simple answer of the Bible and the final revelation of the Lord.