READY OR NOT – The Second Coming of Christ
Matthew 24:4-14
INTRODUCTION:
A young lady busied herself getting ready for a blind date. This was not just dinner and a movie; her date had planned dinner at an exclusive downtown restaurant with live music and dancing. Wanting to make a good first impression she had taken the day off work. She cleaned her apartment; she went out that afternoon to have her hair done and get a manicure. When she got home she did her makeup, put on her best dress and was ready for her date’s arrival. His expected arrival came and went, but she continued to wait patiently. Finally after waiting over an hour she decided she had been stood up, so she took off her dress, let down her hair put on her pajamas, gathered all her favorite junk food and sat down to watch TV with her dog. Sometime later there was a knock at the door; it was her date. He looked at her surprised and said, “What I gave you an extra two hours and you’re still not ready to go!”
Jesus is coming again. Will you be ready for His return, or will He catch you unprepared?
When we talk about Jesus’ Second Coming there is a tension between two extremes. Scripture shows us Christ’s return is
IMMINENT ______________ and _____________ DELAYED.
The belief that Christ’s return is imminent is not new. Jesus’ followers have been looking for His return right from the beginning. The disciples and the early church believed that they were living in the last days and that Christ could come at any time
• 1 John 2:18 (NIV)
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
ILLUSTRATION: Among the believers there was even a rumor that the Apostle John would not die before Christ would come again. They had heard what Jesus had told Peter. Jesus told Peter that as a young man he had dressed himself, but the day would come when as an old man he would stretch out his hands to be dressed by others and they would lead him where he did not want to go. Peter immediately asked what would happen to John and Jesus answered, “If I want Him to remain alive until I return what is that to you?” Folks missed the “if” believing when John was an old man that Jesus could return at any moment. (See: John 21:18-23)
Christ’s return is imminent; it could happen at any moment. Yet Christ’s return is also delayed. Nearly 2,000 years have come and gone and we are still waiting for Jesus to return.
• 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The tension between these extremes is broken by a third reality of Jesus’ Second Coming: Christ’s return will be sudden. Just like children playing hide-n-seek, Jesus will one day say, “Ready or not here I come!”
• Matthew 24:44 (NIV)
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Jesus began His public ministry with the simple message, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near.” In the days preceding His crucifixion Jesus spoke with His disciples about the kingdom of God. These men struggled to understand all that Jesus was telling them. What did Jesus mean when He talked about laying down His life? Why was Jesus teaching them about the least and the greatest?
With questions filling their minds, the disciples looked to Jesus for answers—answers they could understand. If the coming kingdom is near, then when will it arrive and how will they recognize it? So they went to Jesus on the Mount of Olives and asked Him plainly, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3 NIV)?
Jesus answer was probably not what they were expecting. I’m sure they were thinking Jesus would gather them all in a huddle and say, “Okay, here’s the plan for setting up the new age. God’s kingdom will be established in so many days and this is what to look for. . .” How many of you are just like the disciples and would have liked for Jesus to have just spelled out the end time plan like that?
While Jesus didn’t give us an answer we can put into our calendars with a big red circle, the Olivet Discourse recorded in Matthew 24 and 25 is Jesus’ direct response to the disciples question, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Here Jesus gives one of the clearest explanations of the end time events recorded anywhere in the Bible. The disciples asked what to look for and Jesus told them. Within the 11 verses of Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus reveals seven signs pointing to His coming at the end of the time. These signs are:
1. deception,
2. worldwide birth pains,
3. persecution,
4. falling away,
5. false prophets,
6. wickedness,
7. worldwide evangelism.
1. DECEPTION
• Matthew 24:4-5 (NIV)
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in my name, claiming, ’I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
The first and most important sign pointing to Christ’s coming is deception. As we move closer and closer to the end religious deception will be widespread affecting people everywhere. People will be out of control spiritually chasing whatever makes them feel good.
Jesus was so concerned that His followers be prepared for the spiritual deception to come upon the world that He repeats this warning two more times. In verse 11 He says, “Many false prophets will appear AND DECEIVE MANY PEOPLE.” Later in verse 24 He warns, “False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles TO DECEIVE EVEN THE ELECT—if that were possible.”
Let me ask a simple question: IS RELIGIOUS DECEPTION ON THE INCREASE IN OUR WORLD TODAY? Absolutely it is! If you have not noticed an increase in deception and false teaching, then pull your head out of the sand and wake up lest you too be deceived!
• Romans 13:11 (NIV)
The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
• 2 Timothy 3:13 (MsgB)
Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.
ILLUSTRATION: The George Barna Group has uncovered some of the ways people in America are being deceived today.
59% do not believe in Satan
51% believe praying to dead saints is beneficial
35% believe you can communicate with the dead
50% believe salvation is earned and not a gift (so much for grace)
75% believe people are born neither good nor evil—they make a choice between the two as they mature
44% believe the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same truth
54% believe truth can only be discovered through logic, human reasoning and personal experience
(See www.barna.org “Americans Draw Theological Beliefs From a Divers Point of View”)
Who needs the Bible? Not only do a majority of Americans not accept God’s Word as the authority on truth, increasingly more and more have beliefs that directly contradict what scripture says. And here is the real problem—MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN OUR CHURCHES AND SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIANS!
DON’T BE DECEIVED! Time is running short; the end is near.
2. WORLDWIDE BIRTHPAINS
• Matthew 24:6-8 (NIV)
[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 points to a sign of worldwide tragedies and disasters; these are the “beginning of birth pains.” Ladies many of you could tell us guys a thing or two about the pain of labor. Bill Cosby said his wife told him to grab his lower lip and then pull it over his head; yea I think that would hurt! Here’s the point; the pain of giving birth is great, but the joy that follow birth is equally great. The worldwide birth pains that lead up to the return of Christ is far greater than natural birth; however, the joy for us who are expecting Christ will likewise be far greater than the joy parents share at the birth of a child.
The news media has a simple strategy for deciding what news to cover: IF IT BLEEDS IT LEADS. The greater the tragedy, the bigger the sorrow and pain that can be shown, the greater the coverage a new story will get. Regardless of what news program you may watch you are seeing the birth pains leading up to Christ’s return. Events taking place around the world don’t just happen by accident. God is showing us everyday that the time of Christ’s return is getting closer day by day.
Don’t think that the day of Christ’s return will tarry; don’t think that God is just putting it off until latter. While we sense the delay of His return GOD HAS SET A DAY; HE HAS SET THE TIME. God has circled that day on His divine calendar and He will not miss it. Jesus will come SUDDENLY.
• 1 Corinthians 15:52 (MsgB)
You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (MsgB)
The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast!
Don’t’ be deceived! Worldwide birth pains are taking place with increased regularity. The Day of Christ’s return is at hand.
3. PERSECUTION
• Matthew 24:9 (NIV)
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
Jesus told His disciples plainly, “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, THE WORLD IS GOING TO HATE YOU” (John 15:18-19 MsgB).
ILLUSTRATION: I remember a dream I had many years ago as a young man. This was no ordinary dream; it was a dream from the Lord. I dreamed that my family and I had all been arrested (this was before I was married so it was not my wife and children, but my parents with my brother and sister). We were arrested because of our faith in Christ. I remember being singled out and told to deny my faith in Christ or my family would all be killed. We all stood crying, fearful of what may happen next. By the grace of God I said, “I love my family, but I cannot deny my Lord.” I woke up as my family was being taken away. But there is one more thing I remember. Through the tears I saw the smile on my dad’s face.
While this dream may never come true in the sense that my family will be put to death if I don’t deny Christ, I believe this dream is fulfilled as I daily choose to serve God. The world wants to manipulate me to deny Christ, but my Heavenly Father is pleased when I acknowledge Him as Lord.
Persecution is real. It’s not just a dream. People are being put to death for their faith in Christ; it’s a sign that the end is coming.
The important thing for all of us to remember is that whether we face death or simply being made fun of, God will give us the grace we need to stand up and endure persecution.
• Matthew 24:13 (NIV)
But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
God will keep you if you stand firm. You can be certain that you will never face persecution alone. God will be with you giving you the grace you need to overcome; even if that means laying down your life. By the grace of God Jesus endured the cross, and by His Spirit He will empower you if the time ever came to face death because of your faith in Him. He will save those who stand firm to the end.
Here’s the problem. When we hear about people dying for their faith in Christ we think, “Oh God, I could never do that.” I could never have someone hold a gun to my head or watch my children be abused and taken away to be killed. It’s just not humanly possible. We must depend upon God and His grace to overcome persecution. God will keep us.
• 2 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)
And that is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
Paul knew God held His life in His hand, and Paul wanted Timothy to know that God would likewise protect him. Paul knew that when believers saw others being persecuted for their faith Christ that some would not trust God to keep them; some believers would throw in the towel.
Some will be deceived; when they see persecution they will think they must stand in their own strength. Because they know they can’t do it, they will forsake Christ. That is the fourth sign of His coming.
4. FALLING AWAY
• Matthew 24:10 (NIV)
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.
ILLUSTRATION: I sat with a young man and talked with him about his personal relationship with Christ. He knew he had backslidden and was not serving God like he should be. When he talked about the time he had served Christ he said, “It was the best years of my life; nothing is better than that.” He said that he would talk with God and sometimes it was just like God was sitting in the seat next to him. His relationship with God was real. He knew that God had not caused the things to happen in his life as they had; he knew that God still loved him and had not forsaken him. Yet when this young man was asked if he wanted to return to Christ and again enjoy a personal relationship with God, he said, “I’m not ready.” He was afraid to take that step.
When I thought about his silence when I asked him if he wanted to pray and reflected about his personal experience with Christ and yet his unwillingness to respond, I realized it was a sign of Christ’s coming. I’m not saying it’s too late for this young man; I pray he makes the decision to return to Christ before it is too late. However, he is an example of those who Jesus said would turn away from the faith.
• Luke 18:8 (NIV)
When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
Fortunately while many may turn away from Christ, God has promised there would always be a remnant who would believe. I want to be a part of that number who remains faithful. I don’t want you to be deceived by the things you see happening in the world; I want you to remain as a part of God’s remnant of faith.
• Zechariah 13:8-9 (NLT)
[8] Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die, says the Lord. But a third will be left in the land. [9] I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ’These are my people,’ and they will say, ’The Lord is our God.’ "
We may have to go through the fire, but God will refine the faithful like pure gold and silver. We who remain in Him will be purified to be like Christ; He will call us “His children” and we will say “He is our God.”
Jesus has given us signs to point to His coming. DECEPTION, WORLDWIDE BIRTH PAINS, PERSECUTION, FALLING AWAY, and
5. FALSE PROPHETS
• Matthew 24:11 (NIV)
And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Jesus again point out that people will be deceived through false prophets. Let me tell it like it is: YOU CAN’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR PREACHED IN THE NAME OF CHRIST ON THE TV OR RADIO. Be careful because some of these so called preachers are false prophets teaching false doctrine that will lead you astray. (How do I know? Not because I have watched them all and can name names; I know because the Bible tells me that false prophets and teachers will rise up to lead people astray.)
We live in a unique day. The media and internet have made things possible that were unimaginable years ago. What might have made its way into the Bible if the apostle Paul had to compete with TV preachers?
• 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)
[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. [2] Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
[3] For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The gospel was never intended to be preached with in a void of relationships between the preacher and the listener. When you are in an ongoing relationship with people they will know if you practice what you preach. IT IS EASIER TO PREACH WHAT YOU PRACTICE THAN TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. The gospel flows out of your lifestyle, or the way you life validates what you say.
Now whose life can you witness better, mine or a TV or radio preacher? Again I’m not saying that TV, radio or the internet can’t be used as a platform to preach the gospel. (This message will be available on-line for the next two weeks, but it isn’t to build a big audience in cyberspace. The reason it is put there is for you to use.) The point is we are all less likely to be deceived when we are in a relationship together with Christ and one another.
Jesus has given us signs to point to His coming. DECEPTION, WORLDWIDE BIRTH PAINS, PERSECUTION, FALLING AWAY, FALSE PROPHETS and
6. WICKEDNESS
• Matthew 24:12 (NIV)
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
Violence, crime and a disregard for God’s law will increase as we continue to get closer to the Day of Christ’s return. Things we see happening right within our own community is a sign that the end of the age is near.
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (MsgB)
[1] Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. [2] As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, [3] dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, [4] treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. [5] They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.
Yes, things can and will go from bad to worse, but don’t be discouraged. It is a sing pointing to Christ’s return.
7. WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM
• Matthew 24:14 (NIV)
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
I will leave this verse to a missionary to preach. I’ll just tell you that it is happening; the gospel is being preached all over the world. I’ll let one of them tell you how God’s word is being preach in places that it has never gone before; they can tell you how God continues to open doors of ministry for the gospel to be preached.
I just want you to understand one thing: Jesus taught His disciples that everything he had shown them as signs could take place within their lifetime, but He did not just want them to sit and wait for His coming. Jesus wanted them to preach the gospel until He comes.
We too live with the tension between the imminent return of Christ and the delay of His coming; that tension will be broken by the suddenness of His return. UNTIL THAT DAY AND AS LONG AS WE HAVE BREATH LET’S PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERYONE EVERYWHERE!
CONCLUSION:
Jesus has given us signs to point to His coming: DECEPTION, WORLDWIDE BIRTH PAINS, PERSECUTION, FALLING AWAY, FALSE PROPHETS, WICKEDNESS and WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM.
Do not be deceived CHRIST IS COMING, and HE IS COMING SOON.
