Lookout For False Messiah's
Text: Matt. 24:23-31
Introduction
1. Illustration: Video from Titanic about lookouts spotting the iceberg.
2. The job of the lookouts on the Titanic was to spot the iceberg in enough time to steer the ship away from danger.
a. If you watched the movie they were in conversation that ranged from the weather to being able to smell an iceberg.
b. In reality, they failed at their job because they allowed themselves to be distracted resulting in them not being able to see the iceberg in enough time to steer away from it.
c. We cannot make the same mistake when it comes to false Christ's.
3. Jesus tells us to...
a. Lookout for the Un-Real McCoys
b. Lookout For Out of the Way Appearances
c. Look Up For His Coming
4. Let's stand together and read Matt. 24:23-31
Proposition: Jesus tells us to lookout for false Messiah's and focus our attention on Him.
Transition: First He tells us to...
I. Lookout For Un-Real McCoys (23-25).
A. False Messiah's
1. Earlier in this chapter, Jesus warns us that many people will come claiming to be the Messiah, and that many people will be deceived.
a. Now, just a few verses later, he warns us a second time about them.
b. Here's a hint, if some has to warn us twice about the same thing there is a real danger involved.
c. During the time of the Great Tribulation this danger will be even greater.
2. Jesus tells his disciples, “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it."
a. Jesus once again points to the rise of false messiahs and prophets, but whereas before he noted that the presence of these charlatans would be a characteristic of the entire age until the Second Coming and would not signal the end of the age, during the time of great distress there will be an unprecedented rise of miracle-working false messiahs and prophets (Wilkins).
b. They may or may not say that one is Jesus.
c. They may simply claim that whoever they are pointing to is God's true anointed and chosen servant.
d. But whatever they say he is and wherever they say he is on earth, true followers of Christ must not believe them (Horton, 523).
e. We cannot go chasing after the latest religious fad that becomes popular because if we do we will be deceived.
f. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus!
3. Jesus tells them that not everything is as it appears. He says, "For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones."
a. Jesus had been hesitant to perform miracles simply for the publicity and to gain a following, but the false Messiah's will not be.
b. Jesus' warning to his disciples, and us, is one means by which God chooses to protect them (Turner, 312).
c. The signs and miracles they perform are indications of supernatural activity, but believers must be careful not to be deceived into thinking that God stands behind them.
d. Satan himself and his evil forces are able to manipulate the supernatural, so the spiritually discerning must look for the hand that lies behind the signs and miracles to see whether it truly comes from God.
e. False messiahs and prophets who work supernatural deeds are therefore ultimately pawns in the hands of the enemy of God, the evil one (Wilkins).
f. The truth is that people today, and even more so in the future, love the sensational.
g. Everyone from the secular news media to TV preachers go after those things that people find fascinating because it sells!
h. Jesus repeated his warning against false christ's and false prophet's because foresaw that many people would have an interest in Christ's coming without understanding the requirements of faith and obedience.
i. In fact, there are many people today who are more than willing to enter into a discussion about the End Times, but want nothing to do with having a relationship with Christ or faithfully attending a local church.
j. Consequently, he foreknew that false teachers would take advantage of people's curiosity, interest, and fears of the people to lead them astray.
k. As that time approaches even his true followers could be attracted to the tremendous miracles these false teacher will perform by demonic power and trickery.
l. But Jesus indicates that true believers will not be deceived (Horton, 524-525).
4. The reason they will not be deceived is because they have heeded Jesus warning. He said, "See, I have warned you about this ahead of time."
a. Because Jesus was faithful to give these warnings, no one will be able to say, "Why didn't you tell us?"
b. Those who fail to heed his warnings will be without excuse.
B. Only One
1. Illustration: A minister, a Boy Scout, and a computer expert were the only passengers on a small plane. The pilot came back to the cabin and said that the plane was going down but there were only three parachutes and four people. The pilot added, "I should have one of he parachutes because I have a wife and three small children." So he took one and jumped. The computer whiz said, "I should have one of the parachutes because I am the smartest man in the world and everyone needs me." So he took one and jumped. The minister turned to the Boy Scout and with a sad smile said, "You are young and I have lived a rich life, so you take the remaining parachute, and I’ll go down with the plane." The boy Scout said, "Relax, Reverend, the smartest man in the world just picked up my knapsack and jumped out!
2. Being on the lookout means that not everything or everyone are as they seem.
a. 1 John 2:18 (NLT)
Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.
b. Satan's number one task is to lead as many people as possible away from the truth is Jesus Christ.
c. He has been in this business for a long, long time.
d. He has been at from Genesis to Revelation and everything in between.
e. He will be at it during the last days, and he is at it now.
f. So we have to keep our eyes on Jesus!
3. We need to be on the lookout because Satan will show us what we want to see and tell us what we want to hear.
a. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (NLT)
9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.
10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.
b. The reason false Messiah's are so successful is because they tell people whatever their itching ears want to hear.
c. They tell people things like, "that's okay, God will understand."
d. Or they tell them things like, "it's not really a sin, is it?"
e. Satan has been at it since the Garden, "Did God really say not to eat from that tree?"
f. What's easy and sounds good isn't always what is best for us.
g. The reality is that is what can lead straight into the pit of hell.
h. So we've got to keep our eyes on Jesus!
4. Being on the lookout will help us maintain our focus.
a. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
b. If we keep our eyes on Jesus we will not be deceived.
c. If we keep our eyes on Jesus we will not fall for Satan's tricks.
d. If we keep our eyes on Jesus we will not follow after false Messiah's.
e. If we keep our eyes on Jesus we will not follow after the latest false teaching.
f. So let's keep our eyes on Jesus, our champion, our Messiah, our Lord!
Transition: We also need to...
II. Lookout For Out of the Way Appearances (26-28).
A. Don't Bother To Go And Look
1. Another thing that Jesus tells us to watch for is rumors of secret, out of the way places.
2. He said, “So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it!"
a. The desert had messianic overtones for diverse groups within Israel, who associated it with God's forthcoming deliverance; messianic pretenders often gathered their followers in the desert prior to their public appearance.
b. Would-be messiahs most often came in the wilderness, trying to imitate Moses, who had long ago led his people through the wilderness (Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament).
c. Jesus warns that they are not to believe those "in the desert" or "in the inner rooms" who say that they are the Messiah (Wilkins).
d. The Bible teaches that that believers will be snatched up when Jesus comes for his church. His followers will be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
e. 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NLT)
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
f. So we won't have to go looking for him because he will come looking for us.
3. Jesus then uses two illustrations to prove his point. The first one is, " For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes."
a. Unlike the false Messiah's, when Jesus appears it will be unmistakable, like the lightning when it flashes across the sky at night.
b. There will be no mistake about his identity when he comes again.
c. The Messiah will not come in a secretive manner only to his exclusive gang of followers.
d. Rather, the Son of Man will come in a spectacular manner, like lightning that is visible to all (Wilkins).
e. The coming of Jesus will not suit any of the predictions of false teacher or the date setters because it will be sudden and will bring the gathering of all who are in Christ.
f. No one will need to tell true believers that Christ has come.
4. The second illustration further hammer's home Jesus' point. He says, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."
a. The term aetos can be used to refer to an "eagle," but where a carcass is mentioned, it is best to render it as "vultures" (NLT), since eagles do not gather as a group and do not normally feed on dead meat.
b. This saying is proverbial, either quoted by Jesus or created by him to make a macabre point.
c. Here it connects either with the appearance of false messiahs and prophets or with the coming of the Son of Man.
d. The point Jesus is making here is just as when people can see high circling vultures converging on the carcass of a dead animal; so will be the visibility of the return of the Son of Man when he comes to bring judgment on the deadness of this corrupt world (Wilkins).
B. Everyone Will Know
1. Illustration: Generosity isn’t always as generous as it might seem. There is a story out of Miami, Florida about six Royal Palm trees that had been vandalized and cut down along Miami’s Flager Street. Due to the expense involved in replacing them Dade County wasn’t sure how soon, if ever. they would be replaced. Along came a generous donation of six new trees. Not only were the trees paid for but they were even planted by the donor. The former trees had been 15 feet tall and formed a beautiful foreground for a "Fly Delta" billboard. The new trees were 35 feet tall and now hid the billboard completely. The donor of the trees was Eastern Airlines.
2. The coming of Jesus will be unmistakable.
a. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NLT)
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.
17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
b. He will not hide in the desert.
c. He will not be found in a secret, far away place.
d. He will be seen by everyone.
e. He will be heard by everyone.
f. He will not sneak around; he will make himself known.
3. He will come back the same way he left.
a. Acts 1:11 (NLT)
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
b. When he left the first time his disciples saw leave in the clouds.
c. When he comes back we will see him coming in the clouds of heaven.
d. We won't have to guess or wonder if it is him.
e. Because he will make himself known.
Transition: Not only should we look out for false Messiah's, but we must...
III. Look Up For His Coming (29-31).
A. Coming On the Clouds
1. Jesus tells his disciples that not only would people know, but nature would know that his coming is near.
2. He said, “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken."
a. The phrase "IMMEDIATELY after the anguish of those days" introduces a temporal sequence: The Son of Man will come after that time of tribulation.
b. Here "anguish" (thlipsis) connects with 24:21 to point to a specific period of great tribulation.
c. The adverbial expression "immediately after" emphasizes that the celestial signs and the coming of Jesus will occur after the time of "anguish."
d. The end of the age will come with great disturbances in the heavens, with darkened skies, falling stars, the disruption of the forces of this age, and finally the coming of Jesus.
e. These events most likely refer to his coming at the end of the time of tribulation, which would correspond with the time of judgment of the nations (Wilkins).
f. Something else I want us to take note of is has to do with interpretation.
g. Like I mentioned last week, there are some scholars who believe that Matt. 24:15-22 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
h. However, the events that Jesus describes here are things that did not happen in 70 A.D., and is further textual proof that this is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ.
3. Only at this time will Jesus return. He says, "And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
a. Along with these heavenly disturbances will come heavenly appearances: "And then at last, the sign that the of the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens."
b. There is debate as to whether the "sign" is some sort of heavenly pennant or banner or whether the sign is the Son of Man himself.
c. Among the many theories of some sort of particular heavenly ensign, some (e.g., Chrysostom) suggested that the sign will be a cross in the sky.
d. However, since the rest of the verse points to the coming of the Son of Man himself as that which promotes mourning, the apparent reference to Daniel 7:13 ("one like a son of man") indicates that Jesus himself is the sign of the eschatological consummation of the age (Wilkins).
e. Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)
13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
f. However, one thing is unmistakable, he will not come the second time like he did the first time.
g. The first time he came meek and mile, born in an obscure village with nowhere to even lay his head.
h. The second time he will come in power and great glory.
i. The first time he came to save; the second time he will come to judge and make war.
j. It will be too late to change you mind, or to turn from your sin.
4. Jesus then tells his disciples that "he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven."
a. Both banners and trumpets were associated in Jewish eschatological thought with the majestic arrival of the Messiah.
b. Jesus' return - accompanied by angels and a sounding trumpet - recurs in Paul's eschatological teaching.
c. Jesus refers elsewhere to the angelic host that accompanies his eschatological appearance for gathering and for bringing judgment and is at his disposal.
d. An angel of the Lord announced the arrival of Jesus as the incarnate Immanuel and guided the family during his infancy, and an angel will announce the resurrected Jesus.
e. The "chosen ones" is another reference to all believers, both Jew and Gentile, who have come to believe on him during this time of great tribulation (Wilkins).
B. Triumphant Entry
1. Illustration: A small storeowner was being pressured to sell his store to the owners of a large department store who had bought every building on the block, except his. Frustrated by the man’s refusal to sell, they eventually opened their huge store on either side of the small one, with a big banner running from one side to the other, proclaiming in huge letters "GRAND OPENING." Feeling equally frustrated, the small storeowner did finally outsmart the large department store. Below the grand opening sign, across the front of his small store, the man put up a small banner over his door: "MAIN ENTRANCE."
2. Jesus is coming in power!
a. Revelation 19:11-12 (NLT)
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.
12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.
b. He is coming with all the forces of heaven.
c. He is coming with all the power of the universe.
d. He is coming as El Shaddai, the LORD God Almighty!
3. Jesus is coming to judge!
a. Revelation 19:15 (NLT)
From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.
b. When he came the first time he came to seek and save those who were lost.
c. When he comes the second time he is coming to judge sin.
d. When he comes the second time he is coming to stamp out evil and rebellion.
e. When he comes the second time it will be too late to repent; to late to turn from your sin.
4. Turn to Jesus now while there is still time.
a. Isaiah 55:6-7 (NLT)
6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
b. Jesus will come like a thief in the night.
c. Jesus will come when we least expect it.
d. Jesus will come at an unknown hour.
e. Seek the Lord while he may be found.
f. Don't wait until someday; someday may never get here.
g. Turn to him now while there is still time.
Transition: Are you ready should the Savior call today? Would Jesus say, "Well done," or "Go away"? He’s building a home for the pure The vile can never stay. We shall see the King when He comes.
Conclusion
1. Jesus tells us to...
a. Lookout for the Un-Real McCoys
b. Lookout For Out of the Way Appearances
c. Look Up For His Coming
2. Know what the Word says about the un-real McCoys
3. Know what the Word says about out of the way appearances.
4. Know what the Word says about Jesus second coming.
5. But most of all...know Jesus!
