Series: When Does It End? [#2]
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Matthew 24:4-8
Introduction:
As we continue to study the Olivet Discourse, I want us to 1st look at the 5 interpretations of these verses as related to the timing of these events.
* Interpretation #1: Matthew 24:4-14 deals with the present age up to the Tribulation.
* Interpretation #2: Matthew 24:4-8 deals with the events that happen from the present age until the beginning of the Tribulation.
* Interpretation #3: Matthew 24:4-8 describes the 1st half of the Tribulation.
* Interpretation #4: Matthew 24:4-14 describes the events that will happen during the Tribulation.
* Interpretation #5: The events in Matthew 24:4-14 have already been fulfilled. The proponents of this interpretation believe that this happened between 30 A.D. and 60 A.D.
Matthew 24:4-8 (NIV)
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Jesus gives the Apostles and Christians warnings on how to discern the end times.
Jesus tells them to not…
1. Be deceived.
Jesus warns them that there will be many people claiming that they are the Messiah or that they have secret spiritual knowledge that no one else has. Always measure what you hear against what the Bible says.
Jesus tells them to not…
2. Listen to the rumors.
Jesus tells them to not believe that wars and rumors of wars means that the end has come. History shows that in the last 3500 years, 92% of the time there has been a war going on somewhere. History shows that in the last 3500 years, 100% of the time there has been rumors of wars. There will always be people that will say, “If this war happens, it will be the last war”. They have not been correct yet.
Jesus tells them to not…
3. Be alarmed.
Natural disasters and famines are happening all of the time. Right now, 60% of the World is living in famine conditions. Concerning earthquakes, there are 12,000 to 14,000 earthquakes in the world per year.
Conclusion:
Verse 8 tells us that these signs are just the beginning of birth pains. The most important thing to remember is- Be ready.
