2025.09.21 Sermon Notes. THE OLIVET DISCOURSE – RAPTURE READY.
BE READY FOR THE KING’S RETURN: LIVING PREPARED FOR HIS RETURN
Matthew 24:1–51
William Akehurst, HSWC
NOTE: Today is the Memorial of Charlie Kirk which will be broadcast live and carry the message of the Gospel world-wide, for GOD’s Glory.
This is a call to the Church to Stand Firm, Be Courageous and Speak Boldly with the Message of the Cross.
Today is a Turning Point as tomorrow 9/22/2025 begins the biblical new year with repentance and returning hearts to GOD at the coronation of the KING of Kings as Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets begins.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Scriptures: Matthew 24:1-51, Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:31, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:11-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, 9, 1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, Genesis 6:3, Psalms 90:10, Titus 2:13, Daniel 7:13-14, Revelation 1:7, 2 Peter 3:10-14, Revelation 22:20
BIG IDEA
Jesus calls us to discern the signs of the times and live in constant readiness for His return.
INTRODUCTION
Everyone wants to know the future. Some search the stars, others look to politicians, scientists, or even fortune-tellers. Predictions flood the news, talk shows, and even pulpits. But only one voice speaks with perfect authority. That is the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 24, Jesus is seated on the Mount of Olives (which has a panoramic view of the Ancient City of Jerusalem) and from there, HE gives HIS disciples a panoramic view of history and prophecy. This is called the Olivet Discourse.
But notice this:
• His goal is not fear, but faith.
• Not panic, but perseverance.
• Not speculation, but readiness.
Jesus doesn’t want us glued to predictions; He wants us grounded in preparation.
Jesus speaks about the destruction of the Temple, the signs of the end, and His Second Coming. The disciples asked, “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (v. 3).
Jesus’ answer is both a warning and a comfort: Be watchful, be faithful, be ready.
1. THE SETTING: QUESTIONS ABOUT THE END (Matthew 24:1–3)
Matthew 24:1-2 Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Matthew 24:3 Questions about the End
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Jesus shocks His disciples: “Not one stone will be left on another.”
• HISTORY: This came true in A.D. 70 when Rome, under Titus, destroyed the Temple. It was so thoroughly dismantled that not one stone remained upon another.
• Fulfilled prophecy proves that every word of Jesus can be trusted.
• TRUTH: Temple Destroyed after JESUS’ death on the cross; No more sacrifices needed, JESUS paid it all.
The disciples ask three questions:
1. When will this happen?
2. What will be the sign of Your coming?
3. What about the end of the age?
LESSON: If His Word was fulfilled in the Temple’s destruction, His promise of return will also be fulfilled.
APPLICATION: Trust the Bible as absolutely reliable.
2. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES (Matthew 24:4–28)
A. GENERAL SIGNS – BIRTH PAINS (vv. 4–14)
Matthew 24:4-14
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Jesus warns us about:
• False Christs (v. 5).
• Wars and rumors of wars (vv. 6–7).
• Famines, pestilences, earthquakes (v. 7).
• Persecution, betrayal, hatred (vv. 9–10).
• False prophets and deception (v. 11).
• Lawlessness and cold love (v. 12).
• The gospel preached to all nations (v. 14).
LESSON: The chaos of this world is not random; These are not the end…yet. These are the prophetic birth pains - reminders that history is moving toward God’s appointed climax.
• HISTORY: The early church endured all these things.
• NOW: COVID-19, earthquakes, wars in the Middle East, lawlessness, cold hearts.
• FUTURE: These are labor pains - growing stronger and closer together until the “delivery” of Christ’s return.
13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
REFLECTION: Am I shaken by turbulence of the world, or secured by God’s promises?
Will I endure all these things and keep my faith and hope and focus on CHRIST JESUS until the end, and HIS Return?
B. THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION (vv. 15–22)
Matthew 24:15-22 THE GREAT TRIBULATION
15 “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
Daniel 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.”
• Daniel speaks of seventy weeks and The Tribulation is the last week or a seven-year period.
• One week = 7 years. Middle of week = 3.5 years
Daniel 11:31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.
• New Temple would have to be built and sacrifices re-established, then ended by antichrist.
• INSIGHT: In 2018, when I visited Jerusalem, walked the Temple mount, and approached the Dome of the Rock, I felt uneasy, as if an unholy presence was there, which makes me think of this “abomination of desolation”.
• TODAY: All the pieces in place to rebuild the 3rd Temple and re-establish the animal sacrifices. Fulfillment of this prophecy is coming soon.
Jesus points back to Daniel 9:27 and 11:31.
• HISTORY: Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig in the Temple (167 B.C.).
• FUTURE: The Antichrist will defile a rebuilt Temple, claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:11-18).
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
• Jesus warns: when this happens, flee - great tribulation will follow.
LESSON: God’s prophetic Word explains and interprets both history and headlines.
APPLICATION: Don’t let the media or cultural opinion interpret today’s events; let Scripture interpret them. Stay rooted in Scripture to discern the times.
C. WARNINGS AGAINST DECEPTION (vv. 23–28)
Matthew 24:23-28
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
False prophets will arise with signs and wonders.
• NOW: Cults, false religions, false teachers, politicians who promise salvation without Christ.
• TRUTH: When Jesus comes, it won’t be secret - it will be as obvious as lightning flashing across the sky.
• One of the questions is, if the earth is round, how will everyone see JESUS coming. The answer is in the comparison to lightning flashing east to west. It will be seen around the globe.
LESSON: Don’t be misled by counterfeit signs. Not every miracle is from God. Test everything by whether it exalts Christ and aligns with His Word. His coming will be visible, global, and undeniable.
3. THE RETURN OF THE KING (Matthew 24:29–31)
Matthew 24:29-31 THE 2nd COMING OF THE SON OF MAN
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will 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 great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
THE 2nd COMING OF CHRIST
Immediately “AFTER” the Tribulation, the heavens will shake:
• The sun will darken.
• The moon will not shine.
• Stars will fall.
Then…the sign of the Son of Man!
Then, the sign of the Son of Man will appear, and He will come with power and great glory. This is HIS 2nd Coming. The RETURN of CHRIST after the Tribulation. (not the Rapture).
• All tribes will mourn - those unprepared will weep.
Tribes – Jews who rejected JESUS as Messiah.
POINT: WHEN JESUS RETURNS. We want to be BEHIND JESUS as in following HIM and with HIM; not in FRONT of HIM in Judgment and receiving HIS Wrath.
• Angels gather the elect with a great trumpet sound.
Gathering believers from the 4 winds, from one end of heaven to the other. This is the Round up of the heavenly saints to RETURN WITH CHRIST at HIS 2nd Coming to reign with HIM.
LESSON: His return will be visible, unmistakable, and glorious.
APPLICATION: Stop living for survival; start living for HIS arrival.
4. PARABLES OF READINESS (Matthew 24:32–51)
a. THE FIG TREE (vv. 32–35)
Matthew 24:32-35 The Parable of the Fig Tree
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near - at the doors!
34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Leaves signal summer. Events signal His nearness.
• Just as budding leaves show summer is near, so signs point to His nearness.
• “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (v. 35).
LESSON: His Word will never pass away.
PURE THOUGHT: Just as we know by the tree leaves that summer is near, or autumn is coming, we too will know by the signs and seasons that we are approaching the Return of Christ.
But there’s something about vs. 34 that that perplexes and yet encourages and excites me.
WORD STUDY: “Generation”
EMPHASIS: Vs. 34 This Generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Q: What is a Generation?
Webster: a body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestor.
Q: What Generation? and Who is this referring to?
POINT: GOD’S WORD specifically addresses the nation of Israel.
THINK ABOUT THIS:
ISRAEL became a nation on May 14, 1948, which means in 2025, it is 77 years old as a Nation.
Q: How Long is a Generation?
FUEL FOR THOUGHT: A generation lasts between 20-30 years before the next generation comes into play.
But how long does a generation last?
What is the full length of time for a single generation?
Let’s look to scripture:
Now we know that there were people who lived long lives.
• Adam: 930 years (Genesis 5:5)
• Seth: 912 years (Genesis 5:8)
• Enosh: 905 years (Genesis 5:11)
• Methuselah: 969 years (Genesis 5:27)
• Noah: 950 years (Genesis 9:29)
• Lamech: 777 years (Genesis 5:31)
• Abraham: 175 years (Genesis 25:7)
• Isaac: 180 years (Genesis 35:28)
• Jacob: 147 years (Genesis 47:28)
• Joseph: 110 years (Genesis 50:26)
• Moses: 120 years (Deuteronomy 34:7)
120 years
Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
70-80 years
Psalms 90:10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
You see that? 70-80 years…and then what?
We fly away…Now that sounds like the Rapture, doesn’t it !?!
If Israel is 77 years old, and a generation lasts by labor and sorrow to 80 years, and then we fly away. Could we be that close to the day of the LORD coming for HIS Bride, the Church, to gather us into the clouds of the air?
Could we see the Day of the LORD within the next 3 or so years?
Absolutely. We could even see it before the next words from my mouth.
POINT: BE READY AT ALL TIMES.
b. NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR (vv. 36–44)
Matthew 24:36-44 No One Knows the Day or Hour
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
TEACHING POINT: Here is where we must pause to carefully examine two verses that are often misunderstood.
“THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT”
Paul writes:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 8-11
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
The world will be caught off guard, saying “Peace and safety” when destruction suddenly comes.
LESSON: The “thief in the night” warning is for unbelievers, not for the children of God.
• Believers are not in Darkness – unbelievers are.
• We are sons of light – Believers in Yeshua Jesus, the LIGHT.
• We are called to be awake, alert, watchful.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 emphasizes the importance of spiritual watchfulness and readiness for the return of Christ, encouraging believers to live as children of light and to support one another in faith.
“GOD did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtains salvation through our LORD JESUS CHRIST” vs. 9
POINT: We will be saved from GOD’s Wrath.
“NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY NOR HOUR”
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Yes, Jesus said, “of that day or hour no one knows…”
But He didn’t stop there. He immediately said:
• v. 38 “But as in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…
• v. 42 Therefore keep watch…”
• v. 44 ”Be Ready”
RECAP: As in Noah’s days, people will eat, drink, marry - life as usual…until the flood came. (JUDGMENT)
• CURRENT EVENTS: Our generation mirrors Noah’s: busy, distracted, morally corrupt, and spiritually asleep.
• Judgment came suddenly then - and will again.
• We don’t know the exact day or hour, but we are commanded to watch the signs.
• Just like childbirth - you don’t know the exact minute the baby will arrive, but you know when labor has started and the delivery is near.
• Jesus Himself said: “When you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:33).
LESSON: We may not know the precise moment, but we can and should know the season.
WARNING: Expect the unexpected.
• Two in the field: one taken, the other left.
• Two women at the mill: one taken, one left.
• “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (v. 44).
REFLECTION: If Christ came today, would I be found faithful - or distracted?
c. THE FAITHFUL VS. EVIL SERVANT (vv. 45–51)
Matthew 24:45-51 The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• The faithful servant prepares, obeys, and watches.
• The evil servant delays, indulges, and is caught off guard.
• The result: reward or judgment.
POINT: Readiness is not fear-driven - it’s obedience-driven. We live faithfully, knowing Christ could come at any moment.
LESSONS
• God’s Word is trustworthy and sure – Prophecy fulfilled guarantees prophecy yet to come.
• Deception will increase. Don’t be deceived – Test everything against Scripture. Anchor yourself in Scripture.
• Global unrest points to His coming. The world will grow darker, but the gospel shines brighter – v. 14. History is not random - it is God’s story.
• The gospel must be preached - this is our mission until He comes.
• Christ’s return is certain and sudden – Prepare daily, not someday.
• Be a faithful servant – Ready, watchful, obedient.
• Readiness is daily obedience. Watchfulness means faithfulness in the ordinary.
• Evil servant: says “My master delays” and lives carelessly.
• “Weeping and gnashing of teeth” v.51 explicit to those damned to Hell
POINT: Readiness isn’t about predicting dates - it’s about daily faithfulness, daily obedience.
APPLICATION: The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to obey God today.
PERSONAL SELF-REFLECTION
• Am I spiritually watchful - or asleep?
• Am I more focused on temporary comfort - or eternal readiness?
• Do I live like Christ could return today?
• If He came now, would He find me faithful - or distracted?
PROPHETIC HOPE
• The Blessed Hope: The rapture of the Church.
Titus 2:13 …looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…
Daniel 7:13 I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
• The Day of the Lord: sudden, thief-like judgment.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 “The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.”
The New Heaven & Earth: righteousness forever.
The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly - so live holy and godly.
2 Peter 3:13-14 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
• The Promise and Final Prayer of the Bible: Revelation 22:20 “Surely I am coming quickly.” “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Pastor’s Note
Final Thought: For years, people have been speculating and predicting the LORD’s Return, and so far, they have been wrong as their dates have come and gone.
This year, many people world-wide, young and old, are reporting having visions and dreams of the rapture happening this Feast of Trumpets, which falls between September 22-24th. The day and hour of this one feast are not known until two (2) rabbi’s witness the moon rise and appear over Israel. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
JESUS is the fulfillment of the Spring Feasts and has yet to fulfill the Fall Feasts. That in mind, could this Feast of Trumpets align with the LAST Trumpet? Could it be the beginning of the tribulation and possibly the gathering up of the Church? Only time will tell.
But based on the 80-year principle of Psalm 90:10, perhaps it’s not this September, but it’s possible that we could be as close as 3 to 3.5 years into the future. Yes, that’s Speculation, as we long for HIS Return. But know this, we are IN the Season…and the Day is Approaching.
One thing is for sure. There’s a call going out to us and the world to Repent and Return to GOD, as the KING of Kings is coming soon.
So, what do you do with that thought? Get the word out, stand firm, be bold and courageous to share Christ with others. You have loved ones who still need JESUS. Let this be an Urgent Call for the CHURCH to wake up and make known the way of Salvation through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, Amen. Time is of the essence.
LET’S PRAY
LORD JESUS,
Thank YOU for the certainty of YOUR Word. Thank YOU that fulfilled prophecy assures us of what is to come. Today, stir our hearts to Repentance, to Return to GOD, and to Stand Firm to Boldly proclaim the Message of JESUS to the world around us. Guard us from deception, strengthen us in trial, and help us live watchful and faithful lives. May we be found ready when the trumpet sounds. We long for YOUR appearing and join with all the saints in the prayer of Revelation, “Even so, Come, LORD JESUS.” Amen.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Bill
Hymns
• 483 When we all get to heaven
• 468 Once to every man and nation
• 482 When the Roll is called up yonder
