Signs of the Times

Introduction:

We are going to be spending a few weeks in Matthew 24-25 in a discourse known as the Olivet Discourse. Jesus describes in these passages what the times will be like when He returns.

We certainly seem to be getting close as we see the news around the world of wars and famines and natural disasters.

I believe it will happen sooner than we think, because mankind will ultimate destroy one another if we continue on the course we are headed.

However, Jesus told us some specific things to be watchful of and some specific things to be doing. Let’s take a look at what He had to say this morning.

Matthew 24:1–14 ESV

1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 3 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?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Pray

The world is definitely getting interesting. We hear of a future war with China that is going to happen over Taiwan. We are in a war right now with Iran where peace talks have fallen apart.

We have a world on the brink of global conflict, and on top of that, we have inflation going through the roof combined with food shortages, gas prices are now at all time highs.

I really think that we’ve only seen the beginning of things to come.

With all of these things combining into what feels like the perfect storm, what should we as believers do? How do we process all that is going on around us?

First, we need to understand the signs of the times, and then we need to remember who holds everything in His hands.

Let’s take a look at what Jesus had to say about the things that would happen.

1. Recognize the Signs of the Time

False Messiah’s (v.5)

Wars and Conflict (v.7)

Famine (v.7)

Natural Disasters (v.7)

Persecution (v.9)

A Falling Away (v.10)

Lawlessness (v.12)

Lukewarm Churches (v.12)

Increased Global Missions (v.14)

We are going to be looking a lot of Scripture this morning to see that this passage is not an isolated disccussion.

If you want to see more of what the character of people will be like in the last days, look to 2 Tim. 3:1-9.

Many of these traits are present already.

I ask you, if we look at the signs that Jesus pointed to, are we not in the last days?

Discussion Regarding When the Last Days Occur

It is also important to realize that the last days began at Pentecost with the pouring out of God’s Spirit on the Church.

Acts 2:17 ESV

17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

There is a sense in which these promises that Jesus makes regarding the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem and of the signs of His return are like many prophecies that are two events separated by time that appear as one.

Often the first event will seem like it fits the prophecy, but there will be certain elements that remain.

Take for example Jesus’ words in vv. 3-28. These events describe the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, but then there are certain things in their that seem to have not yet happened. For example, verse 21 says,

Matthew 24:21 ESV

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

Well, there has always been tribulation for God’s people, so has the worst of it happened already if these verses describe the destruction of the Temple by the Romans? Some people hold that all of these events and the ones recorded in Revelation have already happened.

However, there is a clear problem with that view, known as Peterism, because Jesus hasn’t come back. Some have argued that He came back after the fall of Jerusalem, but there is no way that you can reconcile that with Revelation’s teaching that the whole world will see Him, or even what Matthew says further on in v. 27-28.

Some of these events seem yet to be fulfilled.

That is how many of the prophecies are. There is a near fulfilment and a future fulfilment. This is much like the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy that the virgin will conceive and bear a son. The word virgin can mean young woman as well, and so the prophecy was of a sign for the King of Israel at the time that God would fulfil His word, and yet it was not just of the time in which He lived, but a Messianic prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ.

Here we have a near fulfilment of what the times will be like surrounding the destruction of the Temple, but also a description of what the generation will be like at the end of the age.

2. Guard Against False Teaching (v.4-5, 12)

There have always been false prophets and teachers that have sought to lead people astray

I believe that lately God has been cleaning house. There have been a number of ministers that have been removed from their positions in a very public way.

While there is no doubt that this has hurt the church’s image, it was necessary.

1 Tim. 5:20 teaches that leaders who continue in sin should be disciplined.

1 Timothy 5:20 ESV

20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

But also note that there is a warning not just to the leaders, but to the church.

If God is cleaning house with those who are His leaders and ministers, will He not also do so with those who claim the name of Christ, but are false converts?

1 Peter 4:17–18 ESV

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Jesus and the Apostles warned us that there would be many who claim to follow Christ but did not know Him.

In Matthew 7:15-16 we read Jesus’ warning:

Matthew 7:15–16 ESV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

He goes on to say in Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Paul also warned the church when He met with the elders of Ephesus that many of the false teachers would come from within the church.

Acts 20:28–31 ESV

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

He commands them to “pay careful attention” and to “be alert.”

We must realize that in the last hours of the last days false teachers will increase and become even more widespread.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 ESV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

Paul pleads with Timothy to guard the gospel.

1 Timothy 6:20–21 ESV

20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

3. Do Not Be Alarmed (v.6)

There is a YouTube Bible teacher named Spencer Smith that likes to say on his channel,

“Things are looking good, because things are looking really bad.”

Jesus gives these signs for His disciples, and for us, so that we will not be surprised when they happen. He wants us to be prepared and to realize that God is in control of everything, even when it seems like everything is spinning out of control.

Application:

For you and I, we have to realize that what is happening today is really a test run for what is going to happen in the future.

Now, let me take a brief moment to say that I personally believe that the Bible teaches us that the Church will be raptured out before the Great Tribulation. However, that does not mean that we will not go through any tribulation or not be affected by things as they are shaping up.

We also should not look at the Rapture as an excuse for us to think we won’t have to suffer any for Jesus. The point of the Rapture is not about us not suffering, but has more to do with the plans of God regarding the nation of Israel.

I also hold this position somewhat loosely, understanding that I could be wrong. I think that as believers we should prepare as if we are going to be here during the Great Tribulation, but live with the hope that we will not.

In either case, God is still in control and Satan always has to ask permission of God before he can do anything in heaven or on earth.

4. Preach the Gospel to the Lost (v.14)

There’s two ways to look at this.

If you are waiting for the Rapture, it won’t happen until the mission of God is accomplished to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. So, in other words, we need to get busy!

If you are worried about the condition of the world right now, you need to witness so that you can help people change and help our world change.

Every Christian should try to make this world a better place by being a gospel light. You don’t know the day nor the hour. Don’t sit back and just decide to let the world go up in smoke. Realize that real people are going into an eternity without Christ. We must preach the gospel and not worry.

Conclusion

With so many signs that seem to be coming together and pointing to Christ’s return, are you ready?

Do you know Christ as your wonderful, merciful Savior, or are you going to meet Him as your Judge.

Have your sins been nailed to the cross or are you still bearing them on your own?

Today is the day to be free. Come to Jesus and He will set you free.