“What’s That on the Horizon?” Pt 1

“What’s That on the Horizon?” Pt 1

Series: “The Gospel Truth”

Text: Matt 24: 1-28

Introduction: (What?)

It seems that people never get enough of speculating on the End Times and the signs that tell us it is imminent. Countless studies have been done on Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Revelation to try and pinpoint the exact time and/or sign. My approach is to, as the old folks say, “Go straight to the horse’s mouth”. That is not to call Jesus a horse, but if anyone has an inside track to the End Times, He does. This week and next we are going to look at what Jesus had to say about the End Times.

Examination: (Why?)

1. Signs

Mt 24:1-8 “1 As Jesus left and was going out of the temple, his disciples came up and called his attention to its buildings. 2 He replied to them, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down.” 3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus replied to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of labor pains.”

The first part of Jesus’s response, when the disciples called attention to the buildings of the temple had to do with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70 by Roman troops led by Titus. That was about 40 years after this conversation took place. Although they did not know how or when this would happen, the disciples were amazed because some of the stones were 40x12x12 feet and weighed between 570-630 tons. The thought of such monstrous stones being leveled was beyond their imagination. John McArthur notes that “Titus, the Roman general, built large wooden scaffolds around the walls of the temple buildings, piled them high with wood and other flammable items, and set them ablaze. The heat from the fires was so intense that the stones crumbled.” (this is somewhat like what happened on 9/11/2001 to the towers in NYC)

After Jesus’s statement had sunk in, the disciples asked two questions; 3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Their first question regarded the destruction of the temple. The second one is in two parts and regarded what the disciples considered to be the time when Jesus would assume His throne in Jerusalem which they assumed would be in their lifetime. Jesus answered these questions in reverse order. Many people, including commentators, think that He is referring to His Glorious Return at the end of the age. However, all of the things that Jesus warned about in His first answer (vv 4-8) took place leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. David Platt points out that the events surrounding and including the destruction of Jerusalem in A. D. 70 were horrific. He cited the Jewish historian Josephus who said there was savagery, slaughter, disease, and famine to the degree that parents resorted to cannibalism of their own children. Many Jews were taken into slavery and the death toll was in the millions.

But in verse 8 Jesus said “All these events are the beginning of labor pains.” In other words, these are not specifically signs of the end of time, but rather just a precursor of what is to come.

2. Persecutions

Mt 24:9-14 “9 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. 10 Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

V 9 though spoken specifically to the 12 and other disciples who followed Jesus also applies to those of us who have become believers because of their testimony. We know that we are included because Jesus said, “you will be hated by all nations”. At the time He spoke, the disciples were not known outside of Israel. Later, with the ministries of Paul and other apostles, the gospel spread around the world and is still being spread today. Wherever the gospel is spread, persecution will come to those who are spreading it. Currently in our own town and county the evil one is making inroads via businesses that are being opened that invite anti-biblical activities. Those who speak out against such can expect push-back and even persecution from those who are involved.

Not only will there be persecution, but some who have identified as Christ-followers, but have never surrendered fully to Him, will finally show their real colors…they will “fall away”. As John wrote, in 1John 2:19 “19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.” Not only will they “fall away”, but they will also betray those with whom they once were united in the church. In case you haven’t noticed, that is happening today.

False prophets have been “rising up” since the time of Christ, and will continue to rise up at an alarming rate. People who once practiced their false religions secretly will begin to openly evangelize. Recently I heard of a city council meeting in Sebring where an avowed witch stood an proclaimed that Witchcraft (Wicca) is a religion and should be respected as such. Some who are weak in their faith will be duped into losing their fervor for Jesus, or as Jesus said, “the love of many will grow cold”. Most of you here can recall someone who at one time was on fire for Christ who is now very cool, if not cold in their faith. But Jesus said that we should take heart because those who “endure to the end will be saved”. If you faith has not been tested just wait, it will be soon. As Jesus said through John in the letters to the seven churches, those who persevere to the end will be saved. The testing that we are in will ramp up as we get closer to the coming of Jesus. Those whose faith is not stable will fall away. The “hypocrites” will be exposed, but the righteous will stand.

3. Tribulations

What is written in the next passage had both a near and far application. Some of it applied to the event up to and through the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Other parts definitely refer to the “end times” that the apostles asked about.

Mt 24:15-28 “15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place” (let the reader understand), 16 “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 A man on the housetop must not come down to get things out of his house, 18 and a man in the field must not go back to get his coat. 19 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! 20 Pray that your escape may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For at that time there will be great distress, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again. 22 Unless those days were cut short, no one would be saved. But those days will be cut short because of the elect. 23 “If anyone tells you then, ‘See, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note: I have told you in advance. 26 So if they tell you, ‘See, he’s in the wilderness! don’t go out; or, ‘See, he’s in the storerooms! do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.”

The “abomination of desolation” initially referred to a statue that Titus (the Roman Emperor) erected in the Holy of Holies before the complete destruction of the temple. When the anti-christ is manifested, he will erect a statue in the restored temple and demand worship of it. That is the “end-time” fulfillment. Notice that Jesus said “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.” Many Jews did exactly that and hid in caves to avoid being killed or captured by the Romans. The need for expediency that Jesus voiced in vv 18-22 related to the need for haste when the Roman horde descended Jerusalem. It also pointed to the difficulty of pregnant women and nursing mothers in getting themselves and their children to safety. Finally He alluded to the weather and Sabbath laws that would hinder their escape. V 22 applied both to the fall of Jerusalem and to the end times. Unless God ends the attacks and persecutions, no one would survive. However, God always protects a “remnant” of those who truly love Him.

VV 23-28 definitely point to the “end of days”. What many don’t understand is that these things are happening now. We have had false Messiahs such as Jim Jones and David Koresh and Sun Myung Moon who have claimed to be Messiah. There will be many more. Jesus said, “don’t go out, don’t believe it”. Then He tells us why... 27 For as the lightning comes from the east to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.”

The coming of Jesus will be instantaneous and will be seen by everyone alive when He comes. There will be no doubt. Back in v 14 Jesus said that the end will not come until the gospel has been preached throughout the world. So far as we know there are still “unreached people groups” where the gospel has not been proclaimed. However, that could change in an instant.

Application: (How should I adjust my life to these truths?)

If you know that you have never surrendered to Christ, but you sense the need to do so, that sense came from God. Respond to it today. You can’t be assured of another opportunity. Pray, “Jesus, I give you my life” and give Him control.

If you have cooled in your ardor for Jesus, and the Holy Spirit has nudged you about it, renew your surrender to day.

If you are a believer who has surrendered to Christ, but do not have a family of believers of which you are a part, we invite you to become part of Faith Baptist Church.