The End Times: Noun Affect

Open with story about going on trips.

Excitement on going.

Things that have to be done before you can go.

Read Passage:

Matthew 24:1–14 (ESV)

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 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.”

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?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 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. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

“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. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 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.

Update the start of this passage:

Jesus has just spent the last two days in the Temple:

First day - tipping over tables

Second day - dealing with the religious “All-Stars”

- Rebuking the Scribes and the Pharisees

Matthew 24:1 “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.”

His Disciples make a comment about the Temple

They were admiring its beauty.

Matthew 24:2 “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 tells them all of this will be torn down (nothing standing).

The disciples must have known what he was referencing .....

Because ...... Matthew 24:3 “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?””

They have traveled a good ways .... across the valley and up the slope to the Mount of Olives.

They ask 2 questions (Basically)

Not necessarily as children would ask while on a long trip, “Are we there yet?”

When will the Temple be no more? / What are the signs of the end of the age?

I found it interesting the very first thing Jesus is quoted as saying, “See that no one leads you astray.”

Greek word for Astray - (Planao) Lead aside from the right way. / To mislead; Deceive

Jesus list out multiple things that will take place before the end of the age.

I have broken them down into what I call the “NOUN AFFECT.”

Person, places, and things.

PERSON:

There is a people dynamic.

Many will come in the name of Christ: Proclaiming they are Christ!

Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”

People will betray one another as well as H\hate one another!

Matthew 24:10 “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.”

Love for other people will grow cold!

Matthew 24:12b “ the love of many will grow cold.”

People will be putting believers to death!

Matthew 24:9 ““Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death,”

There will be may false Prophets!

Matthew 24:11 “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”

PLACES:

There is a “place” dynamic.

Wars breaking out or rumors of Wars!

Matthew 24:6 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.”

Nations rising up against Nations / Kingdoms against Kingdoms!

Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,”

Earthquakes in various places!

Matthew 24:7 “..... earthquakes in various places.”

THINGS:

There is a “Thing” dynamic.

Famines breaking out!

Matthew 24:7 “.... and there will be famines”

Lawlessness will increase!

Matthew 24:12 “...... lawlessness will be increased,”

But here is the crescendo of it all ......

Matthew 24:14 “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.”

ONLY GOD KNOWS WHEN THIS TAKES PLACE!

Here is what is important for us though ........

Matthew 24:13 “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

The Greek word for endure - (Hypomeno) to Remain / Hold Fast / Persevere

Under misfortunes and trials hold fast to one’s FAITH IN CHRIST!

The one who doesn’t allow themselves to be “lead aside from the right way”

The one who is not mislead

The one who is not deceived

The one who under misfortunes and trials holds fast to their faith in Christ .....

..... In the end WILL BE SAVED!