Time is Drawing Nigh....
Notes
Transcript
Time is Drawing Nigh...
Time is Drawing Nigh...
Good morning my friends, I pray you are well today has you’ve had a good week.
We are here and the Lord has blessed us with a new week. Another opportunity to gather as the body of Christ and to worship the Lord corporately. What a blessing my friends.
So today, a week after Easter and we come back to the Gospel of Matthew, we are just 4 chapters from the end of the book we started walking through just over a year ago.
I hope you have enjoyed the teachings we have seen illustrated through the Biblical text of each chapter.
Today in particular, we come to chapter 24 and with it a topic that we discuss from time to time. When will we see the end of time? Will it be in our lifetime, or will be it be in our children’s?
Well, honestly we are not sure...
But we think from all we see happening around us that it must be close....
What will those last days look like? What will we see happening? Well Jesus doesn’t tell us the date or the time, but he did tell us what we could expect to see.
So lets look at chapter 24
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.
Ok, friends this morning we are going to look at three thoughts concerning this text.... So lets begin with this thought my friends...
1. Prophecy foretold....
There are times when we are kinda of caught in the awe of the moment. It might be the sentiment of returning home and seeing the Ole home place, or it might be seeing a spectacular sight that you haven’t seen before...
But no matter what it is… we kind of get caught up in the moment. I think that is what we are seeing here.
The disciples are excited, during their visit to the city, they got to lay there eyes once again on the grandeur of the Temple and the complex around it. And obviously this isn’t their first time seeing it, but honestly it was such a part of life you just never got tired of seeing it and taking it all in. We see a similar thought Luke 21, verse 5
5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said,
You see....The Temple represented God, and the worship due him, but more importantly it represented that the Father was close to them, the children of Israel.
And as they lingered, looking, taking it all in; Jesus speaks to them…
Look back at verses 1-2
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.”
Jesus redirects their thinking, what was considered one of the great wonders of the Middle East would not stand long… In fact, one day it would be nothing but a pile of rubble
Jesus is prophesying about the future to them, no one thought the temple would ever be destroyed again, but AD 70, Rome will lay waste to it for their rebellion and disobedience.
The temple was important my friends, but it didn’t take the place of a personal relationship with God. God was calling people to draw close to him.
But in truth the Temple was almost a “idol” of sorts… We have the temple so we have God so to speak.
God wanted the heart of man and soon with the death, burial and resurrection of the Son, the temple would no longer be needed for man would have a great High Priest, one they could live in relationship with with, worshipping and walking with on a daily basis.
The Temple would one day be gone… Don’t focus on the material, instead focus on God… the one who has brought all thing into existence and has loved you form the foundation of the world.
Now this brings us to a second thought....
2. 7 Signs of the Apocalypse Drawing Near…or Not
What do I mean by that?
Well, I think we find ourselves saying these things are happening, so the second coming of Christ must be near… well there is truth to that… But it doesnt necessarily mean when these events happen His coming is today or tomorrow.
Jesus is talking about evil, wicked and sad events and while they can point to the apocalypse, they are the natural course of events this world must endure as we look forward to His return...
What is the lesson? In the course of what Jesus is going to tell us, what do we learn from it.
Look to Jesus and Him alone and you will not be lead astray.
Let’s go back to the text...
Look at verses 3-8
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.
They have left the city, and have come across the valley to the mount of Olives, the place he will be in just a little bit of time to pray before His arrest.
But here sitting on the side of the hillside, they look over and see the city. And the disciples come to ask Jesus when these future events will take place. when will the temple be destroyed and when will He return...
And before talking about the temple outright… Jesus reminds them to be careful concerning all these big life events, they do not signal the end as come, but instead they are the events leading up to it.
So Jesus is reminding them not to be lead astray… as many will seek to do … and it is here that Jesus points out 7 signs of events that will take place, they do not signal the end is near, but tell us these things must take place.
So lets look at them…
A. Many Claim to Be Jesus v 5
5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
To come in His name speaks to the desire they have to usurp the authority of Jesus. They claim to have His power and authority. And by teaching they lead many, many astray.
Friends, there have been many though out time, many who have led people down roads leading only to death.
In my life time, I think of David Koresh and the Branch Dravidian, Waco, Texas. He taught that He was the Messiah, the Christ and led many, many people astray. Some even to death as they followed him.
What about Jim Jones, what about Marshall Applewhite and the Heaven’s gate cult.
And what about JW’s and Mormon’s to teach that Jesus is only a son of God as we are… Not the second person of the trinity.. Brigham Young even thought that Adam himself was God.
So many are out there leading people astray....
Listen Jesus, His return will not be something we will have to go and find, no..not something we will have go search out. Jesus will remind them in verse 27, that His return to this world will be visible and unmistakable.
27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
If you are a born again believer, We will know it. And my friends when Jesus establishes His 1000 year reign on this earth after the rapture of the church, listen the world will know it is Jesus, the Son of God.
Make no mistake… He is coming back, don’t allow yourself to be lead astray!
Then Jesus speaks too....
B. Wars and Rumors of War v 6-7
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.
Jesus says for mankind to know there will be wars and rumors of wars as long as He delays His coming. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against Kingdom.
The first war was Israel against Rome, it is 66 to 67, and then in AD 70- the Temple would be laid waste and destroyed. Jews and Christian’s alike would flee the persecution.
We have faced so many wars and battles as a nation, and even in the world… they will continue....
And toward the last day, the Bible tells us there is a army and a great battle will take place on that day, Armageddon will be the great battle where the Lord defeats all the forces of evil.
Let me take you to the Book of Revelation as we hear about this great day of the Lord
16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.
So there is a great battle coming, but these wars and these rumors, these unconfirmed reports of war do not reveal the last day as come.
Make no mistake, the day of battle at Armageddon will take place, but we are not there yet.
The huge wars the world has faced as made people wonder, but the day and hour has not come yet.
C. Human Suffering by Famine and Earthquakes v 7
We have seen these events over the course of history, horrific natural disasters have taken place. And it seems that each year the droughts in areas get longer, the storm season seams more intense, and at times it devastating..
We have a earthquake recorded in Acts 16:26.
26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
We know that earthquakes shook Laodicea in AD 60 -61, and Pompeii in AD 62.
These events will take place, we hear people say the end must be near each time something like this happens. But we cannot deduce anything from the nature from these events, they happen, but our confidence is in the Lord.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
Jesus says make no mistake about these things, they are like labor pains, they are evident, they remind us a new event is coming, change is coming but it may not be here yet.
Then Jesus moves to the topic of persecution....
D. People will be persecuted. V 9.
The children of God has always faced persecution at different times in history. We know that the Apostles suffered under the hands of evil men just as Jesus suffered. All the apostles save one were martyred for their faith and walk with God.
Even in today’s world, Christians face persecution. It doesn't always mean death, but being tormented, ridiculed, beaten and at times arrested.
Acts 16, Paul and Silas are arrested and imprisoned all because Paul cast the demon out of the girl who told people fortunes.
As a child of God, do not expect to live easy, that things will be ok, Do not think
just because you are a child of God life will be safe.
But we can trust that He watches over our life!
In this period of time, the time from His departure to heaven until His return from heaven, is the church age. In this period of time, we should expect persecution to come to the church and its people as they stand on biblical principles and biblical ways.
Think of what Jesus said to those who follow him on the sermon on the mount.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus has already told us to expect it, it is certain, it will happen. it is part of our joy to live for Him.
Now I know, you are thinking Joy??? Joy in persecution. We do not that… but if ti comes, consider it an honor to suffer as He did for us.
Listen to Paul in Phil 3:10
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
It will happen, we can take joy in it and we know it points to his return...
Sadly, because of life, self and yes persecution, Jesus says people will fall away
E. People will Fall Away… v 10
Jesus is telling us to expect that people will walk away from their faith, the truth of the Scriptures will turn people away.
There are times when some face the truth of the Bible and walk away
Listen my friends, people at times seek to tell me the Bible is old, it cannot speak to every area of life in today’s modern world. That would be true, if God where not real or dead
But guess what, God is real, He is alive, eternal, the Sovereign One of the Universe. He is on His throne in heaven, the Son is at this right side and the Holy Spirit is as work in this world. His word and the teachings He left for us causes to make decisions that honor him and not us.
His Word, His theology will leads us to make right decisions.
We either believe or not…
Is the Word of God for you or not?
Then understand, we will witness injustice...
F. In justice in the World v 12
12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
There will be a increase in wickedness. The world is touched by sin, and sin will run rampant to hurt and divide homes and families, to tear down relationships,
People will be filled with greed, they will take advantage of the poor and needy. Just like in the days of Amos where they took people to court over the price of a sandal and cheated people for the amount of grain they bought from tthier shops
The vulnerable and helpless are suffering, and the world moves forward without helping...
G. Coldness and failing to Love… V 12
This is the end result of verse 12… because of lawlessness, many will grow cold, the idea here is that many people who have professed to be a born again believer will abandon their faith in the face of hardships and turmoil.
False teaches will lead people astray, and in following those sinful ways, people will reject what is good and right and they will reject God… they once loved him, but now they have turned to another.
True believers will endure to the end, but some in hardship will walk away.
Friends when we look and examine all these events, we can see that have happened and they will continue to happen until the end. They remind us that one day it will call change.
Until that day comes, be faithful and the rest will work it self out.
What can you do to remain faithful as these horrific events happen in our world?
Life faithfully… Be the church, do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together. walk with Him
Pray without ceasing..
Live carefully… shun the appearance of evil
Those are just three thoughts about how we can live in the world that is hurting, in birth pains waiting for the true one, the Lord Jesus to be revealed.
Now just one last thought today my friends,
3. The Gospel for the World...
What is our task in the midst of hardship and suffering, turmoil and pain in the world we live?
Well, until Jesus comes back for the church, our job is simple.. we are to keep carrying the Gospel to the world.
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.
The gospel has to be preached to the world my friends. This truth is a must and it is a must that we participate in taking the gospel to the world.
Why?
It is the command of Jesus in the Great Commission...
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The command is implicate, the church no matter of location, of size or anything else, our role is to see that the gospel is preached.
And here is what is implied, If we go, disciples will be made, but most assuredly, it cannot happen if we do not go.
But if we go, lives will be changed, hope will be made real, disciples will grow and the process will repeat itself...
That is our job.
So how do we do all this in the midst of a changing world.
Pray. We pray that it takes place, that the Lord enable and help his church carry out His mission. But we also pray Lord use us. and then prepare to be used of God. Ask Him to take your life and use it for His glory.
We give to ensure the work of God continues.
We sacrifice. We extend ourselves believing that God will use what we hand over to him. By sacrifice, I mean we give up some of our time, our talent and yes maybe a few more of our dollars.
We repeat
Until we meet Jesus.
And when the gospel is proclaimed, to every nation, to the whole world, every language then the end will come.
Friends are you ready?
Then, lets go, it begins with you today. Have you committed your life and service to Him..
Pray