PRETRIB RAPTURE & MATTHEW 24
Mt. 24-25
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. A little 6 yr. old girl, Emily, complained, "Mother, I've got a stomach ache." She replied, "That's because your stomach is empty; you’d feel better if you had something in it."
2. That afternoon, Emily’s father came home complaining that he had a severe headache. Emily perked up, "That's because your head is empty," she said. "You'd feel better if you had something in it."
3. Well, I’m hoping to put something into your heads tonight!
B. THESIS & TITLE
1. A church member wrote me a text on Monday asking about Matthew 24 – if the “rapture” is the same as the Second Coming.
2. My answer was: the 2nd Coming has two parts – the Rapture and 7 years later, the Visible Appearing of Christ to defeat the Antichrist and set up His Millennial Kingdom.
3. I stated that Matthew 24, especially after verse 15, has to do with the Jewish nation living in Palestine – what they’re supposed to do when the Antichrist attacks Jerusalem and waiting for the heavenly deliverance that follows.
4. I decided to go ahead and preach on that tonight, as a verse by verse explanation of Matthew 24-25 might be enlightening to some of you.
5. The title of this message is “The Pretrib Rapture and Matthew 24.”
I. OUTLINE OF MATTHEW 24:1-14
A. JESUS ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON TEMPLE [READ MATT. 24:1-3 ALOUD]
1. Vss. 1-2, Jesus commented that the Temple they saw would be knocked down. This happened in 70 A.D. when Titus destroyed the Temple & Jerusalem.
2. This sparked a set of questions about; 1). WHEN the Temple would be destroyed, 2). What would be the SIGN of Jesus’ coming, and 3) [signs] of the END of the AGE (in Vs. 3). Jesus then listed the...
B. SIGNS OF HIS COMING & END OF THE AGE
1. Vss. 4-5, False Christs & false prophets
2. Vss. 5-7a, Wars would happen periodically
3. Vs. 7b, Famines & earthquakes would occur.
4. These previous signs were only the beginning of “sorrow” or “birth pangs,” Vs. 8. This Greek word, odinon, is associated with labor or birth pains. Jesus indicates that a series of tragic events would occur, one pain leading to another. Once these began, the condition of the world would continue to worsen until the “childbirth” was completed.
5. Vs. 9, Persecution.
6. Vs. 10, Apostacy, many fall-away from the Faith.
7. Vs. 11, widespread Deception will grip the world.
8. Vs. 12-13 Wickedness; most Believers grow cold.
9. Vs. 14, Gospel will be preached in whole world, “AND THEN THE END WILL COME. Verse 14 wraps up the period of time leading up to the 70th Week of Daniel. Vss. 15-22 speak of a description of the Book of Daniel.
II. ANTICHRIST ATTACKS JERUSALEM
A. WHAT THE JEWS IN JERUSALEM SHOULD DO WHEN ANTICHRIST ATTACKS, Vss. 15-22
1. The Lord Jesus tells the Jews of Palestine that when the “abomination that causes desolation” occurs (Dan. 9:27, 11:31; 12:11) – when the Antichrist sits in the Holy of Holies and declares himself God (2 Thess. 2:4) or sets up an image of himself – then they should flee to the mountains (of Jordan? Petra?)
2. Vss. 17-22 describe how dangerous it will be. This probably connects to Zech. 14:2-5, when all nations gather against Jerusalem to destroy it. But as their annihilation is being carried out, the Messiah appears and fights for the Jewish people. He lands on the Mt. of Olives & splits it. Zech. 14:8 says He sets His kingdom up over the whole earth that day – the beginning of the Millennial reign.
B. JEWS LOOK FOR THE MESSIAH TO SAVE THEM
1. Since, at that terrible moment, the Jews will be looking for their Messiah, He tells them what it WON’T look like. Not misleading miracles. Not in the desert or inner rooms, but like lightning in the sky (Vss. 23-28).
2. In verse 29, Jesus describes how the sun will go dark, the stars fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken – just as the sign of the Messiah appears in the universe. The world will see Him coming and the disobedient will have time to flee to caves and caverns to hide (Rev. 6:15-16).
3. The Messiah will send His angels to gather His elect (vs. 31) – of the Jewish race that has survived – throughout the world (this is still part of the 70th week of Dan. 9:24 “for your people” the Jews.)
4. In vss. 32-34 the Lord tells His disciples to use the signs He’s described to know when these closing events are drawing near.
III. WARNINGS IN LIGHT OF CHRIST’S COMING
A. IT WILL BE SUDDEN & UNEXPECTED
1. In vs. 36 the Lord tells us that only the Father knows the day of Messiah’s coming (vs. 36).
2. In vss. 37-39 He describes it as being like the time of Noah, where, although people were warned, they still were caught unawares when the rain began falling. We should be watchful & not surprised.
3. This event will separate people who are working together (vss. 40-41).
4. The Lord warns it will be like a man watching for a thief. If not watching, he will lose his goods (42-44).
B. WE MUST FULFILL OUR DUTIES (vss. 45-51)
1. The Lord uses the example of an estate manager who looks out for the owner’s interests. If he does so faithfully, he will be greatly rewarded.
2. But if the manager abuses his privileges and misuses his authority, he will be severely punished.
3. God has assigned all of us duties that He expects us to carry out.
C. STAY PREPARED: KEEP YOUR FIRE BURNING. In Matt. 25:1-13, the Lord told the story of the 10 Virgins. [Matt. 25 is included here because vs. 13 says “you do not know the day or the hour,” a continuation of Mt. 24:36 & 50.]
1. The five wise virgins had extra oil so they could keep their lamps burning all night – until the Bridegroom (Messiah) came. They were taken into the wedding and celebrated.
2. The five foolish virgins did NOT have enough oil to keep their lamps burning until He came and were excluded and disowned. We must keep our fiery love for Jesus burning!
D. WE MUST USE OUR ABILITIES FOR GOD
1. In Matt. 25:14-30 Jesus told a PARABLE about three servants who were entrusted with different amounts of money [TALENTS] to manage until their Lord returned. This is clearly a warning to use our varying abilities and opportunities for God’s Kingdom until Christ comes.
2. In the story two servants used their Lord’s investments diligently and doubled the money they had. But the last servant, lazy or fearful, didn’t use the Lord’s money and ended up being severely punished. We are being told to use our abilities for God’s Kingdom.
E. WE MUST SERVE THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
1. In the Parable of the Sheep & Goats (Matt. 25:31-46) is a description of how we should serve the “least of these” – the abandoned, the weak, the sick, the naked, the hungry, the underprivileged, etc.
2. This parable is important for exposing sham religion. Most religions cater to the wealthy and influential. This parable tells us that if we don’t exercise “true (pure) religion,” James 1:27, then we are rejecting Christ and that we ourselves risk being rejected.
3. So we must be mindful to help all who are mistreated, weak, sick, lonely, sad, helpless, and destitute – for this is who the heart of God pities. Do this and you will please the Lord Jesus.
4. ILLUS.: Romanian Legend
a. A rich woman who had a multitude of food to eat was approached by a starving woman who asked her for something to eat. She gave the woman a piece of moldy cheese. Later the rich woman died and went to heaven.
b. She saw a beautiful banquet table laden with all kinds of delightful foods. She went over to it and sat down. An angel came by and told her, “No, you’re to come with me. We have a special table set for you.” The woman, gratified, followed the angel. She was taken to a table with only one chair. She sat.
c. In a few minutes an angel came bearing a plate. On it was a huge piece of moldy cheese. The woman said, “Why am I being given this?” The angel replied, “In heaven, you get what you gave!” [Richard Wurmbrand]
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. JUST BECAUSE WE DON’T SEE REWARDS NOW, DOESN’T MEAN THEY’RE NOT COMING TO US!
2. A young woman, a great lover of flowers, had set out a rare vine at the base of a stone wall. It grew vigorously, but it did not seem to bloom. Day after day she cultivated it and tried every possible way to coax it to bloom.
3. One morning, as she examined the vine disappointedly, her invalid neighbor called to her and said. "You cannot imagine how much I have been enjoying the blooms of that vine you planted." The owner followed her neighbor's gaze and on the other side of the wall was a mass of blooms. The vine had crept through the crevices and produced flowers on the other side.
4. How often we think our efforts are thrown away because we do not see fruit! We need to learn that in God's service - our prayers, our toil, & our crosses are never in vain. They will bear fruit and someone will receive the blessings and joy of them. [Anonymous]
B. THE CALL
1. The Lord’s Coming will be sudden and unexpected. Are YOU ready for that coming?
2. We’re supposed to fulfill our calling/duties, keep God’s fiery love burning in our hearts, use our abilities to build up the kingdom, and we’re supposed to serve all those who are underprivileged. Have you been doing that?
3. Maybe it's time to make a new commitment to serve the Lord daily. How many would like to make that your prayer?
4. PRAYER
