Signs of the End Matthew 24:1-14
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
5 Min Japan video
Read Matthew 24:1-5
Read Matthew 24:1-5
Transition:
This chapter and the next, which records what is often called “The Olivet Discourse” because Jesus speaks “on the Mount of Olives” (v. 3), is likely the most difficult section in Matthew.
It is difficult for at least three reasons.
First, it is difficult because Jesus uses somewhat unfamiliar language, a mix of prophetic and apocalyptic utterances.
Second, it is difficult because Jesus makes few clear chronological distinctions.
As we read we wonder, about what time in history is he talking?
Finally, it is difficult because there is not a consensus among Christian commentators as to its interpretation.
In fact, the more one studies the history of its interpretation, including the current debates and perspectives, more questions arise than answers.
I have no desire to draw you into the immensely complex maze I have walked through in studying this passage.
Instead in these next few chapters I want to walk you straight through what Jesus said, why he said it, and what difference it should make in our lives.
First notice all the imperatives in Matthew 24
There are twelve imperatives (vv. 4, 6, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 26 [two], 32, 42, 44), such as the first “see that no one leads you astray” (v. 4) and the last, “be ready” (v. 44).
I mention those imperatives from the start because whatever we make of the chronology, we must first and foremost recognize that Jesus’ primary aim was to exhort and encourage his disciples to think and feel and do
To Jesus “the eschatological imagination does not displace practical moral concern”—personal readiness, perseverance, discernment.
Temple Destruction vs. 1-2
Temple Destruction vs. 1-2
Jesus leaves the temple after his last sermon
It will be the last time He is there
The prophet Ezekiel foretold this
And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city.
The Holy of holies left the desolate house
The presence and power of God left the temple
The disciples attempt to turn Jesus’ attention back to
The temple was the center of Jewish life and it’s greatest source of pride
Herod the Great (who ruled when Jesus was born) greatly expanded and improved it.
This temple was the center of Jewish life for almost a thousand years – so much so, that it was customary to swear by the temple, and speaking against the temple could be considered blasphemy.
“Josephus the Jew (Antiquities 15.14) tells us that for eight whole years together he kept 10,000 men a-work about it; and that for magnificence and stateliness, it exceeded Solomon’s temple.”
But the Second Temple wasn’t just big; it was also beautiful.
The Jewish historian Josephus said that the temple was covered with gold plates, and when the sun shone on them it was blinding to look at.
Where there was no gold, there were blocks of marble of such a pure white that from a distance strangers thought there was snow on the temple
Jesus’ reply?
It’s going to be destroyed
Temple Destruction
Temple Destruction
vs. 2 Not one stone shall be left here upon another:
Jesus wasn’t impressed
He prophesies that the temple will be destroyed
Not one stone will be left on another
Some 40 years after Jesus said this, there was a widespread Jewish revolution against the Romans in Palestine
In AD 70 Jerusalem was leveled, including the temple – just as Jesus said would happen.
It is said that at the fall of Jerusalem, the last surviving Jews of the city fled to the temple, because it was the strongest and most secure building in the city.
Roman soldiers surrounded it, and one drunken soldier started a fire that soon engulfed the whole building.
Ornate gold detail work in the roof melted down in the cracks between the stone walls of the temple, and to retrieve the gold, the Roman commander ordered that the temple be dismantled stone by stone.
The prophet Micah foretold this
Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
Of course the first question the disciples had was when is this going to happen?
Jesus uses this to launch into what we know as the Olivet Discourse
False Messiahs vs. 3-5
False Messiahs vs. 3-5
The first sign of the end is that there will be false messiahs
When will these things be?
Jesus said the temple would be completely destroyed.
It was logical that the disciples wanted to know when it would happen.
Jesus will speak to this question, but only in the context of answering their next two questions.
It was an appropriate time for such a discourse.
The religious leaders rejected Jesus, and would soon deliver Him to the Romans for crucifixion.
He knew the bitter fate awaiting Jerusalem, and He wanted to give hope and confidence to His disciples who would soon be greatly tested.
Jesus answers their two questions—“when” and “what”—by explaining that the coming destruction of Jerusalem’s sacred mount will not be the end of the world.
What the disciples thought to be one event, Jesus taught to be two separate events.
There will be two judgments at two different times in history.
There will be a local judgment in AD 70, and then (after an unspecified period of time) there will be another judgment, a final worldwide judgment on the last day.
vs. 4 Do not be deceived
vs. 4 Do not be deceived
Jesus warned the disciples that many would be deceived as they anticipated His return.
There have been times in the history of the church when rash predictions were made and then relied upon resulting in great disappointment, disillusionment, and falling way.
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
vs. 5 False Prophets
vs. 5 False Prophets
The Jews have often been led astray by false prophets and false christs.
Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
The rider on the white horse in Revelation 6:1–2 is the Antichrist, that final world dictator who will lead the nations astray.
Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”
And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
He will begin his career as a peacemaker, signing a covenant with Israel to protect her from her enemies
Birth Pains vs. 6-8
Birth Pains vs. 6-8
The second sign of the end is that there will be what Jesus calls birth pains
The figure of birth pains was commonly used by ancient Jewish writers, especially in regard to the end times.
The great modern Jewish scholar Alfred Edersheim wrote, “Jewish writings speak very frequently of the labor pains of Messiah.”
Labor pains do not occur at conception or throughout pregnancy but just before birth.
They occur with increasing frequency until the baby is born.
In the same way, the events connected with the Lord’s return will not begin until just before His return, and they will occur with increasing rapidity, building up to an explosion of catastrophic events
The figure of birth pains therefore would not have been appropriate to represent either the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred very near the beginning of the church age, or the church age as a whole.
The image of a woman in travail is a picture of the Tribulation period
While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
vs. 6-7a Rumors of Wars
vs. 6-7a Rumors of Wars
You will be hearing translates a form of the future tense of mellō that carries the idea of continual hearing. There will be constant talk of actual wars and of rumors of wars, to a degree the world has never known before
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.
vs. 7b Natural Disasters
vs. 7b Natural Disasters
Personal Tribulation vs. 9-14
Personal Tribulation vs. 9-14
The last sign of the end we see this morning is that there will be personal tribulation
The second indicator that these events are future is found in Matthew 24:13–14, in which Jesus speaks of believers who will endure the birth pains to the end
vs. 9 You will be hated and persecuted
vs. 9 You will be hated and persecuted
Christians have always been hated by the world, but here we have an acceleration of persecutions and murders.
All nations will be involved. This certainly was not true in the history of the early church.
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
vs. 10 Many will fall away and hate one another
vs. 10 Many will fall away and hate one another
Those who once were true to each other will betray each other.
This suggests that marriages, homes, and nations will be torn because of lack of loyalty.
vs. 11 False Prophets lead many astray
vs. 11 False Prophets lead many astray
This part is playing out different than I expected
When I was young there were a lot of cults
One of the most famous was led by a man named Jim Jones
He had a large following and many of those came to Jonestown
Where he convinced them to drink Sianied laced cool-aid
Hundreds of people died in what was known as the Jonestown massacre
The false prophets look much more normal today
They fill the pulpit of many of the largest churches today
The preach something that seems like the Gospel, but really is just self help humanism wrapped in a motivational speech
Millions of people follow them from near and far
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
vs. 12 Love will grow cold
vs. 12 Love will grow cold
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Vs. 13-14 Endure to the End
Vs. 13-14 Endure to the End