The Return of Christ

The Return of Christ

Matthew 24

I.     The Content of Christ’s Sermon (24:1–26, 29)

A.     His remarks concerning the Temple destruction (24:1–3)

1.     The pride (24:1): Israel takes great pride in the Temple.

2.     The prophecy (24:2–3)

a.     Jesus’ revelation (24:2) : The Temple will someday be completely demolished!

b.     The disciples’ request (24:3) : The disciples want to know when!

B.     His remarks concerning the Tribulation destruction (24:4–14): Events of the first three and a half years.

1.     A time of apostasy (24:4–5, 11)

a.     The rise of false prophets (24:11) : False prophets will lead the people astray.

b.     The rise of false Christs (24:4–5): False messiahs will lead the people astray.

2.     A time of anarchy (24:6–8): Wars will break out!

3.     A time of apathy (24:12–13): The love of many will grow cold.

4.     A time of affliction (24:9–10): Believers will be hated, betrayed, and martyred.

5.     A time of accomplishment (24:14): The gospel will be preached to all nations.

C.     His remarks concerning the Tribulation destruction (24:15–26, 29): Events of the final three and a half years—the most severe part of the Great Tribulation.

1.     The wickedness against God (24:15–26)

a.     What the enemy will do (24:15, 23–26): Construct the sacrilegious object that causes desecration.

(1)     The statue (24:15) : Assumed from Revelation 13:14–18.

(2)     The subtlety (24:23–26): Many claim to be Christ.

b.     What the elect are to do (24:16–22): Run for the mountains!

2.     The wrath from God (24:29)

a.     The sun will be darkened (24:29a).

b.     The moon will not give light (24:29b).

c.     The stars will fall from the sky (24:29c).

d.     The powers of heaven will be shaken (24:29d).

II.     The Climax of Christ’s Sermon (24:27–28, 30–31, 40–41): The Second Coming.

A.     The signal (24:30): The Son of Man will appear in the heavens.

B.     The swiftness (24:27): As the lightning flashes across the sky.

C.     The summons (24:31): Angels will be sent forth with a mighty trumpet blast to gather the people of Israel

 from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

D.     The slaughter (24:28, 40–41): Armageddon!

1.     The assembling of the victims (24:40–41): One will be taken, another left.

2.     The appearing of the vultures (24:28): To eat the bodies of the slain warriors!

III.     The Clue to Christ’s Sermon (24:32–35): The rebirth of Israel.

A.     The parable (24:32): A sprouting fig tree.

B.     The prophecy (24:33–34)

1.     The when (24:33)

2.     The who (24:34)

C.     The permanence (24:35): Heaven and earth will pass away, but his word is eternal.

IV.     The Challenge from Christ’s Sermon (24:36–39, 42–51): Be watchful.

A.     The reason for this watchfulness (24:36, 42): No one knows when Christ will come!

B.     The reminder of this watchfulness (24:37–39)

C.     The reaction to this watchfulness (24:43–51)

1.     The wise servant (24:43–47): He watches and is rewarded.

2.     The wicked servant (24:48–51): He ignores the warning and is condemned.