I know many are worried about the future. When we consider the incoming administration in Washington, with its decidedly anti-Christian flavor to many of the policies that they are pushing forward, when we consider the violence in our capital building by mobs, we are distressed. Are these the signs of our times? Can the end be far off? When considering all of these things and the world situation around us, we wonder about the times we live in. What does the future hold for us?.
The disciples of Jesus wondered as well. When they pointed out the magnificent structure of the temple, while they were on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Temple Mount, and Jesus replied:
Matthew 24:2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
The disciples thought the destruction of the temple would be the end of the world as they understood it. So naturally they asked when? That is the big question. When is the end?
Matthew 24:3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
The answer is not always what is expected. The temple was destroyed some 40 years later (70 AD), the end of the age and Jesus coming again is another matter. The rest of chapters 24 and 25 deals with the answers to these questions. We will continue to day to look at what will be the signs of Jesus’ return and the end of the age.
Matthew 24:4–8
Throughout history, people wondered about the coming of the end. Christians have wondered about the return of Christ. Ours is not the only time in history with trouble. Jesus warns us of the trouble to come.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus, throughout his ministry, warned that troubled faced those who followed Him. Jesus was upfront with His disciples concerning all this:
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
This is the world we live in today. In the time of tribulation ahead, the life for a true believer, the committed follower of Jesus, will only become worse.
In fact some of the commentators say concerning today’s passage, that Jesus is describing the beginning of the tribulation period and it aligns with the first three seals in Revelation 6. Whether this is so or not, I don’t know. For today, however, we are going to take the words of Jesus at face value. Jesus will deal with the time of tribulation directly starting in verse 15. Some will say, if this deals with the 7 years tribulation and the church and all the saved are raptured before this time, why do we need to study this at all?
First of all, if it is in the Word of God, it is there for a reason and we need to know it. Second, I had a seminary professor challenge me (He did Greek better than I do English) on this concerning a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. All he said to me was “Oh really! Show me where the Bible says that.” I couldn’t. I had to searched the Scriptures for myself (see Acts 17:11).
Throughout whole Olivet discourse, Jesus keeps addressing the disciples as “you.” “When you see these things,” or “when they say to you,” and so forth. The disciples, as the representative of the believers to come, Jesus spoke as though His followers will see and experience all these things that are coming before the end, before His return. It seems like we need to pay close attention to the things Jesus says and remember them. If the rapture comes and takes me away from all these things, that would be wonderful, but if it is in His plan that I go through these things to come, I will be prepared. So I will look carefully at these teachings about things to come and search the Scriptures for myself. If nothing else today, can you see the need to know the Word? In Hosea, God says “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). Without knowledge, people can be easily mislead, as we will see.
In fact the first thing Jesus tells His disciples when they asked the questions about the time of the end and His return, Jesus said:
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
“See to it” other translations have “Watch out” (NIV), “Take heed” (KJV). The usage in the Greek is clear, be vigilant, be on the lookout, take care. Jesus is sounding a warning here, to not be deceived, do not be led astray. Why would Jesus say that? Did Jesus know that preachers would get up and with a big smile, tell folks they can have their best life ever? Or that there would be those who would tickle your ears with promises of heath, wealth, and prosperity? In fact a good portion of the letters to the different churches written by Paul, Peter, James, John and the writer of Hebrews, warned the church repeatedly about those who would deceive them.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
In context Jesus warns about those who will follow false Christs.
Matthew 24:5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
False teachers will invoke the name of Jesus, they will use church words and may even quote from the Bible, but they cherry pick their references and use verses out of context. Can we begin to see the importance of each one of us thoroughly knowing our Bibles, the whole Bible? Many will say they would not be fooled. Later we will read:
Matthew 24:23–27 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance.
In context, this passage most like deals with the situation during the time of tribulation. Paul warns the Thessalonians about those who said the coming of Christ had already happened:
2 Thessalonians 2:2–3a that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you,
Paul goes on tells them what must take place before Jesus comes, because someone had led them astray. What are we to say? Jesus goes on to say:
Matthew 24:6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
Read this carefully. Hearing of wars and rumors of wars. Boy, does that accurately describe our world today. But, if you look back into history, it has described the situation in the world since the beginning. Wars and rumor of wars has been with us ever since Jesus walked the earth. “See that you are not frightened” We should not let these things bothers us, as far as the end is concerned. In fact we are to expect these things because we live in a fallen world, full of sin.
Jesus goes on to say, “for those things must take place.” Why is that? At times we look around and it not only seems like evil is in control, but has won the battle. But we must remember the God has got all this. God is still on the throne, and none of this catches Him unaware. Why does He permits all this? I don’t know, perhaps to test His people. But He has the big picture all time, and I don’t. God knows how all of these things will work to His glory and my job is to trust him and keep me eyes on Jesus.
When we see all these things happening, Jesus tells His disciples very calmly, “but that is not yet the end.” So Jesus is telling us what the signs of His coming are not.
Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
We see these things daily, Nations with issue against other nations, we read of famine in different areas of the world, along with earthquakes and tsunamis, hurricanes, landslides and many other natural disasters. Things we have to realize about natural disasters is that these are beyond the control of kings, presidents, governments, and nations. Our response to them are under our control, but not the disasters themselves. In short, the normal Christian life, between the resurrection of Jesus and His return we can expect adversity, suffering, and pain.
So are the famines, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and the like happening more frequently? Yes. What about all the other bad things. Are all these that are happening in the world God’s judgment on the world? Perhaps yes and no. The fact remains that the whole world suffers due to the fall of man. I do not believe they are all judgments, but I do believe they are a sign and a wakeup call. I believe God expects us to wake up and take notice.
The fact is, very little in the world is the way God intended for it to be. Nor will it be until He creates a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). When the new heavens and earth are brought about, the conditions found at the dawn of creation, before the fall, will be restored, the way God had intended from the beginning. But here again, let’s look at what Jesus has to say about all these things that are happening around us now:
Matthew 24:8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
The KJV has the beginning of sorrows. The Greek word here clearly means the pains suffered by a woman in childbirth. Most other translation have birth pangs or pains or labor pains. Several observation about birth pangs:
First, labor pains do not always indicate the birth is imminent, but the birth is coming. But so it is with wars and natural disasters. These things must happen before the end. In fact the world has been experiencing these things birth pangs for many centuries.
Second, for a woman, labor pains are one of the more painful experiences. Jesus choice of words indicate that when the end does come, it will be painful for all humanity. Like the labor pains, the pain will increase in frequency and intensity until the end, when Jesus comes.
Thirdly, the birth itself, at the conclusion of all the labor pains, is a joyful and fulfilling experience. So it will be with the coming of Jesus. For the Christian, His coming will be a joyful experience, more we can possibly imagine. Terror for the rest of the world, joyful to the believer.
All these things we are experiencing today, ought to cause us to sit up and take notice. We are not to be troubled or frighten by them, but we are aware. We are not to be deceived by anyone. We are to be in the word so we will know and not be deceived. Those that are deceived are without knowledge.
To the unsaved, those that do not know Jesus, only He can save from an eternity of punishment which is the final judgment at the end of time. Only Jesus will give the strength to endure what must be endured.
Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Living through all that is coming will not be possible without Jesus. But those who are in Christ, we remember what Jesus says about the end of the age:
Matthew 28:20 … and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
If Jesus be us till the end of the age, why should I fear?
The question this morning is “Do you have Jesus?” And If you do, do you know His word?
