Series: When Does It End? [#6]
THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN
Matthew 24:29-31
Introduction:
As we have been studying the Olivet Discourse, we have been warned about False Teachers, False Prophets, False Messiahs, etc… This is happening right now; and it will continue to happen until the end. In our text tonight, Jesus gives us ways to recognize imposters and how to deal with them.
Matthew 24:29-31 (NIV)
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
1. The sequence.
Our text tells us that, “Immediately after the distress of those days” or in the King James Version, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days”; that Jesus will return. While some try to attempt to say that this occurs before the Great Tribulation, (the last 3½ years of the Tribulation); most believe that this is specific to the end of Tribulation.
2. The setup.
Jesus tells the Apostles about what will happen that will signal His return. Jesus lists several natural events that will occur- The sun will go dark, the moon will go dark, the stars will fall out of the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. The effect of this is darkness. The Earth’s temperature will drop many degrees.
3. The sign.
Next, the darkness is swallowed up by the light of Jesus. All people will see Jesus; and then they will see Him come in on the clouds. Jesus will return in power and great glory. Jesus will return to the Earth just as He left.
Acts 1:9-11 (NIV)
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
4. The strength.
Jesus will return with strength and great glory. A trumpet will be sounded; and His angels will go to the Earth. Notice that the angels belong to Jesus. It is their job to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. Jesus will be in full control of this moment.
5. The sorrow.
When the people on Earth see Jesus coming, they will mourn. Why would they not be excited about His return? It is because they know that they are doomed. Their end is finalized. It is obvious that there are some saved people present at this time also. Why would they mourn? They know the fate of those who are not saved. It should be a sorrow to our hearts to realize that people are dying without Jesus and will spend eternity in punishment.
6. The select.
All of the elect, (the saved) will be brought together. The text indicates that the saved whether on Earth or in Heaven will be brought together. Why are they being brought together? They are being brought together for the Battle of Armageddon. The elect will ride in on white horses following Jesus who is also riding in on a white horse. Jesus will destroy the enemy with His Words.
Conclusion:
Jesus will return and when He does it will be in power and glory. Which side will you be on when He returns?
