The Beginning of the End

“The Beginning of the End”

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We know that life on this earth is not going to go on forever; the end is coming.

Hollywood has capitalized on this, and made millions off of movies about the end of the world.

· Terminator- Judgment day.

· The war of the worlds.

· The end of the world.

The reason there’s such interest in end time events; is because we know there is going to be an end.

Jesus himself taught that this world would come to an end.

, is a chapter telling us about the end of the world. This is commonly called the Olivet Discourse; it is a sermon about the destruction of the temple, and the end of the world.

Matthew and Mark also record this sermon.

In this sermon Jesus is going to tell his disciples about what is going to happen in the near future; as well as what will happen at the end of the world.

What prompted Jesus to tell the disciples about the future? Jesus has been in the temple teaching, and preaching the gospel, and answering questions.

He has been watching people put their offerings in the treasury.

Some of the disciples come to Jesus:

V:5-“they spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations…

The temple according to Josephus the historian was one of the most beautiful buildings in the history of the world. It was built of huge white marble stones, covered with gold plates, it had grand colonnades and beautiful porches. People visiting the temple said that it looked like a mountain of snow, covered with gold. Not only was it a beautiful building, but it was the center of the religious life of the Jewish people, it was where God dwelt. The temple gave the people an overwhelming sense of religious and national pride. Jesus disciples were also impressed by the beauty of the temple.

They say to Jesus, this really is a beautiful place, this temple is the house of God.

Look Jesus, at these massive stones, and this beautiful place…Jesus said the them,V:6-As for these things which you see the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down”.

This must have been an astonishing prophecy to the disciples…They couldn’t wrapping their brain around this. This was the dwelling place of God, this was the center of the religious life of the Jewish people.

What Jesus said would happen, did happen

40 years later, in A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem. They tore down the Temple stone by stone, and stole all the gold and artifacts. The only thing left of that temple is what is known as the Wailing Wall.

Jesus predicted that would happen, and it happened; and everything else Jesus predicted in this chapter will also happen!

The destruction of that temple had been planned by God for all of eternity. WHY?

Because, Jesus had come to fulfill all that the temple stood for. The ancient system of Jewish religion had come to an end; Jesus is the sacrifice for our sins, Jesus is our access to God.

Matthew records what the disciples said this way:

-“Tell us when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of the coming, and of the end of the world?

They ask Jesus 2 questions:

1. When is this going to happen? When is the temple going to be destroyed?

2. What shall be the sign of your coming and the end of the world?

Jesus is going to answer those questions in the rest of this chapter.

Jesus will tell them about the destruction of the temple, and give the signs of His return, and the end of the world.

As you read through this chapter, sometimes Jesus is talking about the destruction of the temple, and at other times he is talking about His return and the end of the world.

The destruction of the Temple was near, and the end of the world was out in the future.

People want to know about the second coming of Jesus, and the end of the world. The second coming of Jesus is a major doctrine in the Bible.

It’s mentioned 1,200 times in the O.T and 300 times in the N.T. God tells us over and over that Jesus is coming again; because he loves us and wants us to be ready!

In this sermon Jesus answers both the question about the destruction of the Temple, and the bigger question about the end of the world.

Knowing that “end of the world discussions” would lead to a lot of unwise and unhealthy speculations; Jesus gives us “Don’t” as we live from now until the end of the world.

1st of all Jesus says:

1. Don’t be Deceived.

V:8-Read.

Jesus knew that talking about the end of the world, brings out the crazy and some people. In fact, people seem to make more mistakes in this area of theology than any other. Whenever we study eschatology, end times events; it is always wise to have a heart of humility, admitting we don’t have all the answers. There are some things that we are absolutely dogmatic about; and there are some things it is hard to be dogmatic about.

Jesus says don’t be deceived:

a. False messiahs will come.

Jesus says don’t be fooled by men who come claiming they are the Christ. The pages of History are filled with stories of false Christ and their deceived followers. In the 17th century it was Sevi, who thousands of European Jews worshiped as the Christ. In the 21st century it was men like Jim Jones and David Koresh, cult leaders who led their followers to their deaths. Thousands of men have come claiming they are the Christ, and thousands of people have followed them.

Man is a religious being, so when a man rejects Jesus Christ, he leaves a spiritual emptiness that he is going to try to fill with something.

The devil knows this so he has created spiritual substitutes, to replace the Jesus of the Bible, to replace real salvation and genuine Christianity.

We have eastern religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, transcendental meditation, scientology, Jehovah witness, Mormonism, Christian Science and others.

Jesus is concerned about you knowing the truth so he says in V:8-“Take heed” that know man deceive you.

Take heed, means-to keep your eyes and ears opened so you’re not fooled. Jesus loves you and does not want you deceived, lead astray.

We are living in a day of tolerance and feel good religion that promotes a version of Jesus that is not found in the Bible, and sadly many people are being deceived. Here’s how you test the spirits:

-“And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Don’t be deceived:

a. False messiahs will come.

Don’t be deceived:

b. False dates will be set.

V:8-“and the time draws near… Don’t be deceived by those who come saying they know the time of Jesus return. Jesus said, no one knows the time of my return, only the father knows that.

In 2012, there was a major focus on the Mayan calendar. The Mayan calendar only went to 2012, and some people suggested that the Mayans knew that the world would end in 2012 and stopped their calendar. A movie was made titled “2012,” with the quote “We Were Warned” on the poster!

Harold Camping predicting the rapture on May 21, 2011. He purchased billboards and talked on the radio about the rapture on May 21, 2011…and people believed him! His billboards said “The Bible guarantees it.”

People quit their jobs and sold their houses because of him. Then, on May 21, 2011, Jesus did not come back. Camping pushed back the date to October 21, 2011, but Jesus didn’t come back then, either.

While we do not know when Jesus is coming; we do know Jesus is coming! Don’t be deceived by those who set dates. First Jesus exhorts us and says: don’t be deceived. Secondly Jesus exhorts us and says:

2. Don’t be Discouraged.

V:9-“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified…

It is terrible to think about what will happen at the end of the world, when Jesus comes again. Peter tells us, -“That the heavens and the earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept under the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

But Jesus says, don’t be discouraged:

a. Conflicts will come. V:9-10.

It is easy to become terrified, and think the end of the world has come when war breaks out. I read, that in the last 3,421 years of recorded history only 268 have seen no war. We have seen our share of wars in the last 100 years; and there will be wars until the end of time. Jesus says don’t let this discourage you, or surprise you. Every time a war breaks out, doesn’t mean that the end of the world is come. Rome would surround Jerusalem, and destroy the temple.

Don’t be discouraged:

b. Natural disasters will happen. V:11.

Jesus says there will be earthquakes, famines, disease, and fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

All of these things happened in the years leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. The artifacts dug out on the city of Pompeii, that was destroyed in A.D. 63 is on display in St. Louis. There were famines during the reign of Nero. Josephus records cosmic signs in the heavens.

These were all signs of the coming judgment, and Jerusalem was destroyed after these things took place. We find ourselves in a similar situation, we see nation rise against nation, we hear about earthquakes and other natural disasters. There are famines on the continent of Africa, and other parts of the world. These are all signs that this world will come to an end, and Jesus is coming back.

But Jesus says don’t be discouraged, or frightened; when the next terrorist strike happens, the next financial depression comes. Jesus says all these things are going to happen, but trust in him and don’t live in fear. What Jesus describes in these verses have happened many times in the history of the world, and they will happen again.

Every time they happen, they are God’s gracious sign of the coming judgment, and a reminder to get ready for the end.

Don’t be discouraged:

c. Persecution will come. V:12-19.

Jesus says before all of this… You are going to experience severe persecution. You will be delivered up to the synagogues and prisons, you will be delivered by parents and brothers and relatives and friends and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated for my name’s sake.

What Jesus prophesied: prison, betrayal, hatred and death is recorded for us in the book of Acts.

Peter and John were arrested and imprisoned and brought before the Sanhedrin. Stephen was stoned to death, James had his head cut off, and so did the apostle Paul.

Not only did the apostles suffer persecution and martyrs death, thousands of believers were martyred by Nero. More Christians have been martyred in this generation than any other generation before. No generation has seen such worldwide persecution as is now in progress.

ISIS beheaded many Christians. I have sat in the homes of precious Indian pastors who have been persecuted for preaching the gospel of Jesus in India.

There are many places around this world that if you become a believer in Jesus Christ you will be persecuted and killed.

Today there is persecution of Christians in

North Korea, Afghanistan, Iran, Indonesia, India, and China.

The climate is being set in America for Christian persecution. There is zero tolerance for born-again Christians. Christians who actually believe what the Bible says are public-enemy #1. We are living in days of verbal Christian-bashing, it seems like everything is acceptable in this country except an open, pubic confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can put a cross in a public place and they will scream to high heaven. You can take that same cross and submerge it in urine and call it art and they’ll say "Isn't it just wonderful how tolerant we are in this country"

We are headed to a time in this country that if you stand up and say that you believe Jesus Christ is the only son of God and the only way of salvation you will be marked and persecuted. We are headed to a time when you say that the Bible says that God’s only plan for human sexuality is a man and woman in a marriage relationship you will be persecuted.

A time when you preach the truth of this Bible you will be persecuted. Those days are coming faster than you think! There is a growing hater for the truth of God’s word.

Jesus says when times of ridicule, and persecution come; make sure it comes for His name sake:

V:17-Read.

Persecution for Jesus name sake; not persecution because you are arrogant, abrasive, and rude.

Jesus says when persecution comes this gives you an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope you have in him. V:13-Read.

When you’re captured, and persecuted, Jesus said he will give you the words and wisdom to share his gospel. Now this is not a promise that God will put words in the mouth teacher’s and preacher who don’t study. NO!

When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, being ridiculed, or persecuted; God will give us the strength and words to share the gospel. V:13-Read.

This is a good verse to memorize and remember in times of trial; when we find our self in the hospital with a serious illness, are suffer grief, are we or criticize for thinking and acting like a Christian.

The Holy Spirit will remind us of the words of Jesus. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

Don’t be discouraged because no matter what happens to you physically; Jesus says in,

V:18-“there shall not and hair of your head perish”.

He says in, V:16, that some of his followers would be killed; but then in, V:18, he says not one hair of your head will perish. Is this a contradiction? No!

Physically you may die a martyr’s death, but spiritually you have eternal life, and nothing that’s done to you in this world, can affect the hair on your eternal head! Yes; for some of you that will mean hair on your head in heaven. Nothing that happens to us in this world, can take us out of our father’s hand!

Jesus brings the camera back in focus to talk about the destruction of the Temple in, V:20-24.

Jesus tells them that Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies; and we know that was true, in A.D. 70 the Roman general Titus and the Army of Rome surrounded the city of Jerusalem. And the unspeakable horror that happened in Jerusalem is recorded by Josephus in the war of the Jews. Jesus told his followers when they see the Army coming flee, leave and head to the mountains. Jesus says woe to the woman who is pregnant, many will die by the sword, and led away captive and Jerusalem will be destroyed by the Gentiles.

Jesus says, it is because of the wrath of God, and all these things that are going to happen we’re written in the Old Testament, V:22. Jeremiah wrote in great detail about what would happen to the city of Jerusalem hundreds of years before it happened.

Don’t be discouraged:

d. Jesus is coming again. V:25-33.

The camera lens pulls back and we get a look at the end of the world in, V:25-33.

Everything that Jesus says in these verses come from the Old Testament; and the prophecies of the day of the Lord. These verses refer to the tribulation. Which will proceed the second coming of Jesus Christ. The language that is used here speaks of a violent change in the natural order of this world. The book of Revelation tells us about the horrible things that will happen prior to the return of Jesus.

The very powers of heaven will be shaken V:26.

And while all this is taking place, V:27-Read.

Jesus is going to come in the clouds with power and great glory!

-“Behold, he is coming in the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindred’s of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen”.

Jesus Christ will return visibly, every eye will see him. He will return gloriously, wearing the royal crown of his eternal kingdom, shining light the sun.

There will be a great difference between the first coming of Jesus, and the second coming of Jesus:

The first time Jesus came, He came as a baby in a manger. The Second time He comes He will come in power and glory.

The first time He came He worn a crown of thorns, the next time He comes he will wear a crown of Gold.

The first time He came He rode a donkey; the next time he comes He will be riding a white stallion.

The first time He came He was mocked and spit on, the next time he comes every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God.

He is not coming to die on a cross; He is coming to sit on a throne.

Write it down plain and straight, Jesus is coming in glory! We have his word on it, V:33-Read.

Every promise Jesus ever made will be fulfilled! The world has already witnessed the fall of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the Temple, and nation rising against nation. There have been earthquakes, famines, diseases. Jesus exhorts us and tells us; don’t be deceived, don’t be discouraged.

Then Jesus exhorts us and says:

3. Don’t be Distracted.

V:34-38.

Because Jesus is coming, and the world will end; we need to be sure we don’t get distracted.

We are not to simply drift through life; we are to think seriously about eternity.

What Jesus has been talking about is a matter of spiritual life and death. Jesus exhort us to live soberly and godly in this present age.

Don’t be distracted:

a. Be Careful.

V:34-“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come on you unexpectedly”.

Jesus is telling us to be on guard, and keep alert at all times; because Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. Live in such a way that your heart is not weighted down with sin. Don’t get caught up in partying and drinking. Every single story about drunkenness in the Bible ends terribly; and is condemned by God.

The Bible repeatedly warns against drunkenness!

Jesus says, don’t be distracted by drunkenness, or any other intoxicating pleasure that keeps you from being ready for Jesus to come.

Jesus says don’t let the cares of this life keep you from walking with God and being ready for his return. Don’t let alcohol, are the daily concerns of this life keep you from thinking about the return of Jesus, and the end of the world.

Don’t be distracted:

b. Be Prayerful. V:36.

Jesus says watch therefore and pray…

The way to stay ready for Jesus to come, is to have a prayer life. Jesus is calling us to be people of prayer, and people of preparedness! Remember that we are going to stand before the son of God one day.

Are you ready?

Don’t be distracted:

c. Be faithful. V:37-38.

Be faithful to come to church, and be faithful to hear from Jesus through his word. Jesus had just told them the end is coming, he has shared all this horrific prophecy; and then what does he do? He goes right back to teaching and ministering at the temple. Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and went to sleep, and got up the next morning and came back to the Temple and preached some more.

We are living in the last days; what do we do?

Go right on being faithful to Church, faithful to read your Bible, and praying, and living a holy life.

Go home and go to bed, get up the next day and live for Jesus and share the gospel. Just be faithful!

Jesus is coming, ready or not; but today you have an opportunity to get ready!

Dear child of God, Jesus is coming again! And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. The truth of the second coming of Jesus should cause us to live pure lives, and be bold witnesses for Jesus.

Let’s not get distracted; less be focused on sharing the gospel and making disciples until Jesus comes again!