• The second coming of Christ is one of the most important doctrines of Christianity.
• Yet today some Christians look at it as optional, not as important as topics concerning day to day living.
• Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ's first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ's second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ--an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ's first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!
• Jesus was in His final week of ministry on earth before His crucifixion.
• What subjects did He want to clarify with His disciples to encourage them for their ambassadorship?
• What motivation, what encouragement, what admonishment would be the most important.
• There will be a lot of scripture in today’s sermon.
• It was a struggle on how to present this without us getting lost in the volume of scriptural text.
• Jesus had just finished some tough teaching in the Temple.
• As the temple service was completed, Jesus positioned himself and watched the offering boxes.
• There, He saw a widow giving all she had while others gave for show.
• He taught another lesson to His followers about commitment.
• Now the service had ended and the crowd had been dispersed.
• Jesus and the disciples prepared to leave.
I. The Termination of Grace (1-13)
Mar 13:1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"
• Please realize that the Temple was the crown of Israel.
• This was the temple rebuilt by Herod after is suffered from neglect and attack.
• Flavious Josephus and other writers of the day tell us that the marble used by Herod to resurface the Temple was white with green specks.
• He commissioned beautiful artwork to be sculptured in the beautiful stones.
• In a time when Israel longed to be free from Roman control, the Temple represented the hope of Israel’s glory to the common Jew.
• One of the disciples brought the glorious beauty to the attention of Jesus.
Mar 13:2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
• This was a prophecy that the Temple would not mark Israel’s return to world power.
• It would instead be destroyed completely.
• It was in AD 70 when Titus ordered the Temple destroyed and the ground plowed.
Mar 13:3-4 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?"
• Later, as Jesus and His disciples rested, four of the disciples asked for a clarification of what Jesus had said.
Mar 13:5 And Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one leads you astray.
• Some Christians will discourage the study of the end times.
• They will say that the Christian life does best when we focus on the here and now.
• Yet Jesus warned for us to not misunderstand His teachings and not to let anyone mislead us.
• In other words, this topic is very important.
• To begin with, first notice that the question was in reference to the destruction of the Temple and accomplishment of God’s Kingdom.
• In other words, how will the end times affect the nation of Israel?
• First, notice that the initial descriptions mark the end of the age of God’s grace.
Mar 13:6 Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray.
• There will be, and has been, those who teach that they are the Christ.
• And just as significant, there are many false teaching about the Christ.
• I have on my computer a list of 56 individuals since Jesus Christ who said they were either the Messiah or Jesus reincarnated.
• Others say they are equal with Jesus as a last day Messiah, such as David Koresh, Ysrael Hawkins and Warren Jeffs. That is a completely different list and there are many today.
Mar 13:7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.
• When we think of wars, we usually think big.
• The Civil War, WW1, WW2. Some may include the police action of Korea and the conflict in Viet Nam.
• However, there are 10 ongoing wars today that we seldom hear about. Some more than others.
• Columbian Armed Conflict, Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency, Afghan Civil War, Somalia Civil War, The Shia Insurgency in Yemen, War of North-West Pakistan, Mexican Drug War, Sudanese Nomadic conflicts, Syrian Uprising and Sudan SPLM-N conflict.
• When you consider that the Greek word for “war” implies conflict or a group of people in conflict with another, you must add the gang wars in every major cities, territorial conflicts of motorcycle groups, feuds of families in every country.
• The truth is, the world today is one of constant conflict, extreme violence and deep-running hatred. Truly…..
Mar 13:8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
• The world is not only disrupted by hatred and conflict, but the increase of natural disaster and famines.
• According to natural news, the rate of natural disasters is up over 400 percent.
• Where there is not flooding, there is drought.
• Right now, farmers and ranchers in 29 states are eligible for disaster relief.
• That is a record high.
• Oppressive heat has swallowed our nation and the Mississippi River is down 29 feet in Memphis.
• It is threatening to disrupt vital barge traffic.
• We are now asked not only to conserve water, but cautiously watch our electricity usage between 1:00-7:00 PM.
• But those do not mean the day of Grace is over. These do indicate that they may be very near.
Mar 13:9 "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.
• There will be a two pronged attack on Christ’s followers.
• First, there will be religious opposition.
• They will deliver you over to councils and you will be beaten in synagogues.
• Those two religious terms indicates that there will be hostility religiously to those who follow after Christ.
• Standing before governors and kings represents political opposition.
• Honestly, you must admit, regardless of whether you sympathize with the Democratic or Republican Party, Tea Party or Libertarians, the popular ideas civil justice runs counter to Christian theology.
• If you don’t have a problem with popular political correctness, there is something unbiblical about your Christianity.
• Jesus said there would be a conflict, and it centers around one idea: Is mankind sovereign or is God sovereign?
• Do we operate by what is best for the masses or the individual, or do we stick to the high standards of a Holy God?
• Every human government philosophy will ultimately forsake God and seek humanism.
Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
• None of these signs of the time indicate that it is the end of Grace.
• You see, the gospel must be made available to all nations.
• That is our calling, to take the nations to every people group in the world.
• But it will be with great trial.
Mar 13:11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
• When Jesus said that He would never leave us or forsake us, that He would be with us to the end of the age, He also promised that He would give us the words to say.
Mar 13:12-13 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
• The gospel of Jesus Christ, though it is typified as good news, is divisive.
• Though it has the power to unite families and restore broken marriages, it also has the potential of dividing families.
• When you speak of Christianity and faith, you are speaking of the most passionate beliefs of mankind.
• The end times mark the betrayal of family members because someone chooses to follow Christ.
• Jesus said, “It will be tough, but hold on. Hold on. Stand firm for the end is coming.”
• This turns the page on grace and brings in another chapter of the end.
The Tribulation of the Godless (14-25)
Mar 13:14-23 "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
• Church, you will not be here for this. You will be raptured to glory, but that’s another story.
• This message is for those left behind, particularly the Jews who miss the Messiah (those in Judea).
• This is a complicated study, one we have taught on Wednesday nights last year.
• It was prophesied in Daniel 9, especially the last three verses.
• It is the prophecy about the Antichrist, the abomination of desolation, and when he stands in a new Temple, proclaiming himself to be god.
• Then come the warnings. Forsake Jerusalem. Head to the mountains.
• Hide in your attic if you cannot flee. Leave your job without going home and packing.
• For those who are pregnant, it will be worse because added stress and persecution.
• Things are going to get bad. False messiahs, false prophets, false miracles and wonders.
• This tribulation will be so bad, if God doesn’t mark its end, it would destroy every human.
Mar 13:24-25 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Reign of Christ (26-27)
Mar 13:26-27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
• And suddenly it will be over over.
• We will descend with Christ, the tribulatioin saints and Jews will be gathered up, and the reign of Christ will begin.
• We will reign with Him.
The Truth of Glory (28-37)
Mar 13:28-37 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation (the generation that sees these things take place, 29) will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning-- 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
• Hear the message of Jesus to us today.
• The imminent return (the truth that Jesus could return any time) is important for us.
• Jesus said, “Watch, notice, anticipate, but you never know.”
• No one will know.
• Be on guard, keep away.
• Stay awake. The master is coming. And He repeated, “Stay awake.”
• When I was a boy, my dad would tell me to mow the yard before he got back from visiting the hospital.
• I said I would and intended to, eventually.
• But every time I didn’t go out and mow the yard immediately, I would get busy doing something else or playing and suddenly, dad would be home.
• I would be in trouble.
• Jesus’ instructions for us are not so we can be in the know or informed. It was so that we would be ready.
• It is so that we would do the work, not knowing when He would return.
