5/22/11
Given by: Sterling C. Franklin
GKJ (Glorious King Jesus), webcast at http://www.bit.ly/gkj-webcast
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 24:31-36
31 "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
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.
36 " But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Message: ’Camping Out for Jesus’ Return’ -- Always being ready for Jesus’ return, regardless of incorrect predictions.
This month (May 2011), Harold Camping predicted that the rapture would occur on May 21, 2011. This was a result of many assumptions about both numerology and theology that don’t seem to fit, and his view was tinted by an especially odd read on eschatological (’end-times’) warning passages such as Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Camping believes that people can know exactly when the end of things will occur. What about Jesus?
Jesus mentioned to His Disciples in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 that there would be a series of signs before the end of all things. We’ve read this in our Scripture reading -- what did Jesus say?
1. He would return.
2. No man knows when -- ONLY the Father knows. No man, no angel, and not even the Son of God, as He mentions).
Much focus this week was placed on #1 in that set. Camping said that at 6pm on May 21, 2011, the rapture of believers would occur. Note that in the past, he also stated that the rapture would occur in 1994. That also did not happen. It was later revised that this was the beginning of the ’latter rain’ period, which to him meant that churches had completely closed their doors to Jesus, though it is quite odd that God is still using the local church to do amazing things for His Name.
Yet we saw this week that #2 was reinforced by what took place -- or did not take place -- on Saturday. No man knows the day nor the hour. Only God the Father knows. But I want to explore a third thing that Jesus states, which is often quite neglected:
3. We always need to be ready.
This brings us to our text -- Matthew 24:37-46
MAIN TEXT
Matthew 24:37-46
37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
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,
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.
40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
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.
44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 " Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
46 "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
Before we discuss further, let’s pray.
- Opening Prayer -
This week has been somewhat surreal, and much media coverage has been given to following the painted vans, billboards, and Harold Camping in general. Many people gave up everything out of total expectation for the end of things. On one end of things, it was horrible. On another end, it did get people talking about the matter of the end times.
What does the Bible say about the rapture?
Well, look in Matthew 24. We have mentioned that people will be going about their day-to-day business, and then some will be "taken." Jesus mentions that when He comes, some will be "taken."
What do other passages of Scripture say on the matter?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
So if we are already gone, we will have the honor of joining Jesus first. This passage discusses ’rising’ and being ’caught up’ to meet the Lord. It’s a matter of joy and comfort, as well. However, yet again, note that Paul is talking to believers here. We need to be ready at all times!
Turn to 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2. Here, even more directly, Paul addresses a situation in Thessalonica that may seem familiar to us. These people were devastated, as some people came through and stated that the rapture had already occurred. What does Paul say to them?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
Jesus has promised to come for His people. This has not happened yet. It will. Always be ready!
What Paul says is one of comfort to these people -- some things will happen before all things end. I believe the Holy Spirit is the one who is putting everything on hold right now (note verses 6-7 -- He who restrains), and yet there will be one day in which the Antichrist will be revealed.
There have been many lowercase antichrists in the past, but not the ultimate. Isn’t it interesting to note -- Napoleon, Stalin, Hitler, bin Laden -- all had history of utter wickedness, and yet none of them were the Antichrist. What is to come is going to be much worse.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Note from the passage that we must receive the love of the truth, which is knowing Jesus. One more passage -- 1 Corinthians 15:21-24.
1 Corinthians 15:21-24
21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
This passage makes note that those in Christ, though they may experience death here, will follow Jesus’ example by being resurrected to be with Him at His return. Isn’t this a beautiful dynamic, though -- look at verses 21 and 22:
- We sinned.
- We fell short.
- Death entered.
- Christ came.
- Christ did NOT fall short.
- Christ brings life to those who believe.
Cling to that truth. This is the Gospel -- the "Good News!" Jesus took on our sinfulness, and as you put your life in His hands, we can take on His pure righteousness. If we have humbled ourselves and come to the Cross, then there is no need to fear at any rapture advertisement. When it happens, it happens, but ALWAYS BE READY!
- Application -
Some things in warning:
1. Take note if men of God who give words are giving WRONG words. We don’t need to walk in deception. We need to make a habit of putting our faith in the right things -- most directly, Jesus.
2. God rarely only gives one man a word. Throughout history, several prophets would have similar words. As we’ve been studying the Minor Prophets, we know that each one had several contemporaries who wrote down what the LORD was showing them. These words meshed, and they actually came to pass.
3. The words of the LORD do come to pass. He still does speak today. We don’t need to let the mistakes of men cause us to stumble and reject all of what God has for us today.
4. Pray for both Camping and those who lost everything. Pray for those who took advantage of his followers. We need to show compassion and forgiveness -- Christ has forgiven us of much more, and so we are called to forgive.
Some things in preparation for Jesus’ return:
1. Get right with Jesus. It’s NEVER too soon to do so. We’re never guaranteed tomorrow, even speaking of just life itself. Repent of your sins, receive forgiveness from Jesus, and walk with Him. God provided His Son for our hope and redemption -- receive this today!
2. Tell others about Him. It’s a command from Jesus for us, His disciples, to continue the process. Make disciples of all people groups! Be able to give a clear account of what Jesus has done and why.
3. Know what His Word says. Become a student of the Word, and KNOW what He has taught and promised. Again, we don’t need to walk in deception.
As we close in prayer -- if you’re NOT ready for the return of Jesus, take this opportunity to GET ready. As Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Let nothing draw you away from following Jesus. Not fear, not unbelief, not disregard. Follow Him today. He is worth it. Let’s pray.
- Closing Prayer and Invitation -
