The Return of the King

Matthew 24:32–35 NKJV

32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The Signs are for knowing that the time is near.

What are the signs of His coming from Matt. 24?

The Increased Number of False Teachers/Christs. vs. 5, 11, 23

Unrest, conflicts among the nations. vs. 6, 7

Famine, Pestilence and earthquakes. v. 7

Christian Persecution. v. 9

Nations hating those who follow Christ and His teachings. v. 9

Many being offended, hating and betraying one another. v. 10

Love for many will grow cold. v. 11

2 Timothy 3:1–3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

The gospel will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations. v 14

The revealing of the Anti-Christ - aka abomination of desolation. v. 15

Great signs and wonders shown by false prophets and will deceive many, if possible, even the elect. v. 23

The sun and moon will be darkened. v. 29

All of creation will be shaken, the heavens and earth. v. 29

A great sound of a trumpet and the gathering of Christ’s elect. v. 31

When you see these signs know that His Second coming is at the door, in fact, Christ says that the generation the witnesses these things will not pass away until all these things take place. v. 34

Notice what Jesus says then in v. 35

Matthew 24:35 NKJV

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

What does Christ mean when He says, “Heaven and earth will pass away”?

Everything you see, all of the first creation will be burned up and God recreates the heavens and earth.

2 Peter 3:10 NKJV

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Revelation 21:1–3 NKJV

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Now we come to an illustration that Jesus shares to help explain these events. The illustration is a comparison of the end of day to that of the days of Noah. v. 36-44

Now what can we personally learn from this illustration?

Matthew 24:36 NKJV

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

The first thing we learn is...

The Return of the King no one knows the exact day or hour of Christ’s return, only the Father.

Matthew 24:37 NKJV

37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

The Return of King which will usher in the end of days will be sudden.

Matthew 24:38 NKJV

38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

Matthew 24:39 NKJV

39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

The Return of the King will be unexpected.

Matthew 24:40 NKJV

40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.

Matthew 24:41 NKJV

41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

At the Return of the King the elect are gathered

At the Return of the King the unbelievers are left behind

Matthew 25:31–34 NKJV

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:41 NKJV

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

There is yet another passage found in the book of Matthew where Jesus speaks about this gathering and separating.

Matthew 13:24–30 NKJV

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

It is of utmost importance that you know that you know that you know whether you are of the wheat or tares...

And the way you know for sure… is by asking yourself this question.

Has there ever been a time in your life where you cried out to the LORD in repentance? You need to have acknowledged that you are sinner, that you have broke God’s holy laws and that you have lived in rebellion against Him.

In that moment of repentance to you believe in your heart that Jesus (God in the flesh) died for your sins and paid your ransom. Have you cried out to the only name by which you can be saved…Jesus the Christ?

If you have cried out in repentance and in doing so received Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have God’s promise and guarantee that He has saved you. For it is by His grace we are saved through faith and not of yourself for it is the gift of God.

In conclusion,

Matthew 24:42 NKJV

42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

The King is coming - Be Watchful

Matthew 24:43 NKJV

43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

and Lastly

Matthew 24:44 NKJV

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The King is coming - be Ready