Asking About the End

Summary: This is the 1st sermon in the "The Prophetic Anticipation of the King" Series. This series is from Jesus' Olivet Discourse.

Series: The Prophetic Anticipation of the King

ASKING ABOUT THE END

Matthew 24:1-3

Introduction:

We are going to begin studying Matthew 24, which is apart of the Olivet Discourse. This is Jesus’ teachings about the end times.

This would lead many to start asking questions such as, “Are you a pre-tribulation person, a post-tribulation person, an a-millennial person, or a “I don’t have a clue what you are talking about person”?

If you feel confused about all of this, do not feel alone.

Define some terms

Eschatology

The study of eschatology- The study on end times; has been going on for a long time. Every time, there is a World Wide Catastrophic event, or a great event in Israel’s History like the reestablishment of Israel as a state in 1948; predictions about the end start to arise and come out.

Just in my lifetime there have been moment were many who wondered about Y2K. Even more wondered about September 11, 2001. Many thought the end would come near end of 2012. Many wonder about all of the natural disasters that happen.

Well there are several different schools of thought about this subject.

Pre-Tribulation

Mid-Tribulation

Post-Tribulation or A-millennial

So, here we are in what many people are calling a global virus pandemic and with that, It brings up the question, “What is going to happen next”?

The Apostles had the same questions.

Matthew 24:1–3 NKJV

1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” 3 Now 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?”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 24:1–3

Having completed His discussions and debates with the religious leaders, Jesus left the temple to return to Bethany (cf. 26:6) by way of the Mount of Olives (24:3). The words Jesus had just uttered were still burning in His disciples’ ears. He had denounced the nation and said it would be “desolate” (23:38). If Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, how would there be a nation for Messiah to rule? The disciples pointed out the buildings of the temple area to Jesus as if to impress Him with their magnificence. What could possibly happen to such impressive buildings, especially to the temple of God?

The Apostles asked several questions that will be answered in later studies of Matthew 24 which we will be looking at as this series progresses.

This morning, I want you to notice the 3 questions. The 1st question was actually asked by Jesus; but it was because He knew what they were thinking about the Temple.

Do you see all these things?

The Apostles were noticing how awesome the Temple was.

Mark 13:1 NKJV

1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

The Temple was a massive complex of buildings including ritual baths, steps, the Market Place; a court for Gentiles, women, men and priests and then the massive Temple proper. Outside the courts were large porches or porticos.

Remember Jesus called it My Father’s House. The Jewish Temple was a marvel of the ancient world. The 2nd Temple had its beginnings during the time of Ezra after the exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem. The Temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes (in the 2nd Century BC) and then rebuilt by the Maccabees later. Major renovations to the Temple Mount and the Temple began under Herod The Great in about 20 B.C. and continued until 64 A.D.

Now Jesus plainly predicts the destruction of the Temple. Not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Jesus peers into the future when Temple worship and Temple sacrifice stop.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 24:1–3

This, however, prompted the disciples to ask when all this would take place.

When will this happen?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 24:1–3

As Jesus reached the Mount of Olives in His walk to Bethany, He sat down and the disciples came to Him. Four disciples, Peter, James, John, and Andrew (Mark 13:3), plainly asked Jesus two questions: (1) When will this happen?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 24:1–3

(2) What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the Age?

What will be the sign?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 24:1–3

These two questions prompted the following discussion by Jesus, commonly called the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24–25). The questions related to the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and the sign of the Lord’s coming and the end of the Age.

Lets read v3 again

Matthew 24:3 NKJV

3 Now 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?”

Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew A. The King Foretells the Fall of Jerusalem and the End of the Age (24:1–22)

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from the temple hill of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives was several hundred feet higher than the temple mount. It provided a spectacular view of the entire city of Jerusalem. This location was especially appropriate for a discussion of the future because it was the site to which the Messiah would return in the end (Zech. 14:4).

Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew A. The King Foretells the Fall of Jerusalem and the End of the Age (24:1–22)

Jesus sat down on the Mount of Olives, probably to initiate a teaching session because a teachable moment was about to come at the disciples’ initiative. The disciples were still reeling from Jesus’ shocking revelation about the temple’s destruction. In their minds, such a tragedy could only be linked to the end of the age and Christ’s return in final judgment. They probably found themselves speculating about whether they were to experience such evil times.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew A. The King Foretells the Fall of Jerusalem and the End of the Age (24:1–22)

The central purpose of Jesus’ discourse was to challenge the disciples, improper motives behind their question. They wanted to participate in the final kingdom reality while avoiding the intervening hardship. Their single question was a compound question. They asked when the temple’s destruction would happen and how they would recognize its coming (the sign of your coming and of the end of the age).

Basically, the disciples wanted to be ready in case they were about to find themselves in the maelstrom of history. Jesus had announced his return on at least two occasions (16:27–28; 23:39), and this may have been a recurring theme in Jesus’ private teaching with them during the latter part of his ministry.

The rest of Matthew 24–25 is Jesus’ answer to this question. It is his presentation of the events that lead up to the climax of his second coming to set up his kingdom on the earth for a one-thousand-year reign (cf. Rev. 20:1–4).

But that my friends is for another time…next week will start where we have left off today. However in the meantime, the question that should be on our minds even still, is “Am I Ready for Christ’s Return?”