November 7: Matthew 24

November 7, Matthew 24

Matthew continued…

Matthew 24 Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple and signs of the end of time. Also recorded in Luke 21 and Mark 13. The disciples were talking to Jesus about how beautiful the Temple was and how ornate it was. It must have been a truly magnificent building. Josephus was an historian that recorded many things. He says this about the temple, “The exterior of the building lacked nothing that could astonish either the soul or the eyes. For, [the exterior] being covered on every side with massive plates of gold, the sun had no sooner risen than it radiated so fiery a flash that those straining to look at it were forced to avert their eyes as from the solar rays. To approaching strangers it appeared from a distance like a snow-clad mountain, the reason being that whatever was not overlain with gold was purest white” (Jewish War V.222). Though the rabbis were not at all in love with Herod I, nor with those who followed him, they had to admit, “He who has not seen Jerusalem in her splendor has never in his life seen a desirable city. He who has not seen the temple in its full construction has never in his life seen a glorious building.” Jesus interrupts their admiration of this incredible structure and said, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Jesus knew what was coming. Side note - The temple was destroyed some 40 years later by Titus and some believe that upwards of a million Jews died at that time. The disciples asked Jesus when this would happen and what signs there would be that this would take place. “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?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” The time is coming for all of these things to be fulfilled. Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution. Jesus continued on with the signs of what is coming for us to be aware. It is hard to not look around and to see the signs of the times all around us. We must be cautious though - just because there is a war or earthquakes does it necessarily mean that the end is now. There are many things that must take place prior to Jesus coming back. This is also why He earlier warned them that many will come in His name and not to follow them - do not be fooled. Jesus continued on and tells them to take courage in Him because it is going to get tough. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ” Stay the course with Christ, no matter how hard it gets. Even when you are hated for the name of Christ - stay the course and be encouraged that you are His. It is not promised to us all rainbows and smiles - there will be persecution for those that love and have fully surrendered to Christ. The end will come when these things happen and all the world has had a chance to hear about Jesus. 

The Abomination of Desolation - The Great Tribulation. Also in Mark 13. “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Satan will sacrilege everything of God’s - especially the things that are holy. These days will be truly horrible. So much so, that we are warned here ahead of time. Jesus is giving us a heads up. There will be opposition from family and friends. It will be so bad that Jesus tells us, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” God has His ‘elect’ - that is a term for chosen. Jesus has the right to choose His bride. It will be so bad that God will cut those days short. Also, we are not to be surprised when people come offering hope and saying that they are the Christ. Don’t believe them. They will do miracles and signs and wonders to lead people astray. Don't be fooled. They will even try to lead God’s chosen away. Be on your guard.

The Coming of the Son of Man - this would be the apocalyptic world… Jesus gives additional prophetic insight. Jesus knew He was going to die and He also knows He is coming back. What can we expect to see? “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” After the tribulation we just read about, there will be these physical signs for us to know the time is near. All the world will see this at the same time - only God could do that. Then God’s elect will be gathered together to meet Jesus!

The Lesson of the Fig Tree. Jesus gives a parable about the fig tree… Basically, Jesus is explaining that watching of a fig tree. It is a process for it to get its leaves and sap and when it happens, you know that it is ready. Same thing for the Kingdom of God coming - we will see the signs and know that the time is near. Then Jesus said something that could be confusing, “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” This is not about the Jews standing there, but about the Jews in general. This generation was explaining the Jewish generation - not like Generation X or Baby Boomers - but the race. Jesus ends this passage with hope - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

No One Knows That Day or Hour. We just read and learned about the events in series that must occur. God alone knows when this will happen. Jesus, while He was on earth, was even unaware. The point is that we must always be prepared for Christ’s return and we should be living our lives in light of that. Jesus gives us a story of being on guard to illustrate being ready. Always be on the guard and live your life in anticipation of Christ’s return. If you are not ready and are squandering what God has given you, you will be found out and will not be living forever with Christ, but in hell. Reality is, why would you want to spend an eternity with someone that you didn't want to spend your life with?

To sum it all up: 

• Hell and its reality of consequence/choice… Reality is, why would you want to spend an eternity with someone that you didn't want to spend your life with? So, if you don't want to spend your earthly life serving Christ - doesn't make much sense that you would want to spend eternity serving Him… make sense? 
• We are to live prepared to meet Christ. Whether through an apocalyptic event or just your death - we don't know when and we must be prepared. Live holy lives and pursue Him.