INTRO:
As you think about the future, what do you look
forward to the most? note Titus 2:13
I) The Horrific Tribulation
(Matthew 24:4-28)
(Matthew 24:4-28)
After the Tribulation Period (note Matthew 24:29f) comes
II) The Glorious 2nd Advent of Christ
(Matthew 24:29f)
The “Horrific
Tribulation” and the “Glorious Return of Christ” should impact our lives in a
multiplicity of ways:
Jesus’ disciples must be: 1) Well Versed Students of Scripture (and of Biblical Prophecy)
(Matthew 24:32-35)
Notice the first two commands of Christ in verses 32-33: "LEARN and RECOGNIZE!"
Tribulation showers (vv.
3-28) bring what? _____ Millennial Kingdom flowers!
What is “the pain then
glory” principle. (Rom. 8:16-18; 2 Cor.
4:16-18)
For Further Reflection/Application:
We
must be doers of the Word and not
merely hearers
As
you think about the future- what do you look forward to the most? Be honest.
When
life here below is really good- why are we tempted to lose sight of what really
matters in relation to eternity future?
Consider
trials (James 1) and loving discipline from our heavenly Father (Heb. 12) in
view of this struggle. How does this help us to have a more biblical
perspective on such things?
Most
Christians know that we should be more heavenly minded, but we often struggle
to live each day in light of eternity.
What can we do to try and better flesh out the practical implications of
passages of Scripture like Colossians 3:1-4, 1 John 3:1-3, and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18? Share your thoughts and ideas with Christian
family and church friends this week.
How
does Matthew 24-25 and Revelation 4-22 demonstrate Christ’s sovereign control over
the future? “I know he holds my life, my
future, in His hands!”
List
some of the practical ways biblical prophecy and eschatology can help encourage
a believer who is really struggling with fear, anxiety, and worry?
What
signs/birth pangs will mark that the end of this present evil age is drawing
neigh?
(note
past two sermons Matthew 24:3-25).
Jesus
is going to return one day! What
difference ought this “blessed hope” have on our daily walks? Think in terms of holiness, evangelism,
worship, priorities, prayer, stewardship, tithing, etc.
It’s
been said that “some people are so heavenly minded they do no earthly
good.” I have yet to meet anyone with
this problem. I have met many believers
who are so earthly minded that they make very little impact in terms of what
matters most (and that which “echoes in eternity.”) See Matthew 6:19-20 and Philippians 1:21.
The
things of this world are passing away.
Then why do we live like the world sometimes striving after the same
passing pleasures and/or temporal things?
How do passages like Matthew 24-25 and Rev. 19-22 helps us to battle
against any expression of heart idolatry?
Related Praise Songs: Theology
fuels Doxology! We dig deeply in order
that we may go high!
Check
out the LYRICS of these lesser known songs.
See
He Comes- Sovereign Grace
Eternal
Praise- Enfield
Let
the Seventh Angel Sound- Isaac Watts
Lo!
He Comes With Clouds Descending! Charles Wesley
One
Day When Heaven Is Filled With His Praises- Casting Crowns
The
Revelation of Jesus Christ- Ghost Ship
The
King is Coming- Gaither band
All
Things New- Red Mountain Music
When
We See Your Face- Sovereign Grace
“Though the dark is overwhelming
And the brightest lights grow dim
Though the Word of God
Is trampled on by foolish men
Though the wicked never stumble
And abound in every place
We will all be humbled when we see Your face
And the brightest lights grow dim
Though the Word of God
Is trampled on by foolish men
Though the wicked never stumble
And abound in every place
We will all be humbled when we see Your face
And the demons we’ve been fighting
Those without and those within
Will be underneath our feet
To never rise again
All our sins will be behind us
Through the blood of Christ erased
And we’ll taste Your kindness when we see Your face
We will see, we will know
Like we’ve never known before
We’ll be found, we’ll be home
We’ll be Yours forevermore
All the waiting will be over
Every sorrow will be healed
All the dreams it seemed
Could never be will all be real
And You’ll gather us together
In Your arms of endless grace
As Your Bride forever when we see Your face”
Related Biblical Texts: Search
the Scriptures to see if these things be so.
Daniel 9-12; Matt. 6:19-20;
24-25; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Col. 3:1-4; Phil. 1:21; 1 John 3:1-3; Rev. 1-20.
Related Biblical Terms /Theological
Concepts Terms: Every believer is a theologian. 1 Timothy 3:15,
Jude 3.
“Relative Chronology is
placing events in the order they happened relative to one another.
You don't have to know necessarily specific dates, but you should be able to
use associations to figure out how to place eras and events in relative
chronological order.”
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION- If “no man knows the exact hour of
Jesus' return,” how can we harmonize this seeing that our theological camp teaches
that the Tribulation period will last 7 years (per Daniel 9)...and that the
midpoint takes place once “the Abomination of Desolation” happens (note Matt.
24:15)? In other words, if the Great
Tribulation lasts 3 1/2 years won't Tribulation believers be able to watch the
calendar and thus know that in 3 1/2 years Jesus will return?
ANSWER- We have a relative chronology (see term above) but
we still do not know the exact moment. Furthermore,
that is why in Matthew 24 people are to be expectant because they have relative
chronology. But they must be alert
because they don't know precisely when these events will take place.
