Matthew 24:3-14: Signs that the End is Near

Matthew 24:3-14

Future Things: Signs that the End is Near

(pt. 7)

  

INTRO:  End Times Confusion and/or Indifference to Biblical Prophecy is commonplace.

LCBC believes that end times details that are recorded in the Scriptures matter: Explain why-____________________________________________________________________________ _______

Summarize Matthew 24-25 in a sentence or two: _____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________.

How should an unbeliever respond to facts of history (1 Cor. 15:1-11) and the details that God has revealed concerning things to come? (Acts 17:30-31; Hebrews 9:27-28; Romans 2:3-11). When you talk with lost friends, family members, and co-workers about what you’re being taught at church, help them to understand the practical ramifications of God’s revealed truth.

The Olivet Discourse: (Overview Outline)

A) End Times Confusion

(Mathew 24:3)

B) Red-Letter Clarification

(Matthew 24:4-25:46)

5 Signs that the End (of this Age) is Near:

1) ___________________________________________________________________________

(Matthew 24:4-5; 23)

For Further Study: Luke 21:8; Dan. 9:26-27; 11; 2 Thess. 2:3f

2) ___________________________________________________________________________

(Matthew 24:6-7a)

For Further Study: Daniel 11:40-44; Revelation 6, 9:13-18, 13:7-10

3) ___________________________________________________________________________

(Matthew 24:7b-8)

For Further Study: Luke 21:11; Rev. 6:12; 11:13

4) ___________________________________________________________________________

(Matthew 24:9)

For Further Study: Mark 13:9; Acts; Rev. 6:9-11, 7:13-14, 12:11, 20:4

5) ___________________________________________________________________________

(Matthew 24:10-14)

For Further Study: Matt. 10:24f; Luke 21:16-19; Jn 8:31; 1 John 2:19; Rev. 2:10; 3:10)

For Further Reflection/Application:  We must be doers of the Word and not merely hearers

How should an unbeliever respond to facts of history (1 Cor. 15:1-11) and the details that God has revealed concerning things to come? (Acts 17:30-31; Hebrews 9:27-28; Romans 2:3-11). When you talk with lost friends, family members, and co-workers about what you’re being taught at church, help them to understand the practical ramifications of God’s revealed truth.

What role(s) does the Holy Spirit play in this present age?  When the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit is pulled back what will come of this already wicked world? (note Matthew 24-24; Rev. 6-19; 2 Thess. 2)?  The true Church also has a sanctifying influence on the world.  If the Church is raptured before the start of the Tribulation a period of unparalleled darkness will envelope the world.  Think about the implications of this for a moment.

Sin will have its day and will then be no more!  What a glorious and comforting thought!

How should a believer respond to the facts of history and to the revealed revelation concerning things yet to come?  Gratefulness. Alertness.  Holiness.  Other _________________________

If this series of sermons on the future is not impacting the here and now we need to meditate more (Psalm 1:1-3) on the truth of what the Spirit his teaching us through the reading, studying, and preaching of the Word.  Christianity is not a Sunday only religion. 

The Signs of the Time (Matt. 24:3-14) will happen on scale, proportion, and rate never seen before.  These tribulation tribulations/birth pangs mark the end of this age and the beginning of the age to come.

Have we become “dull of hearing?”  What are warning signs that you have?   If so, why is this so dangerous?  Think back on the example of Israel throughout much of her history in the O.T.

Why do many pastors and believers act as if the details of eschatology and biblical prophecy really aren’t that important?  How does this attitude manifest itself in the real world?

How would you go about trying to convince someone (from Scripture) that such thinking is neither wise or “Christ-like?”

How did Amillennialism come to replace Historic Premillennialism as the default position of the Church (from the 4^th-16 centuries)?  Note Wednesday PM summer series lessons on Israel, the Church, and the Future.

Please note: We are NOT suggesting that Amillennialists and/or Post-Millennialists are not true believers.  We can still learn from authors who have a imprecise understanding of eschatology but who firmly hold to the fundamental articles of the faith.  For example, R. C. Sproul has written some of the best biblical books on God’s absolute holiness, the authority and inspiration of Scripture, and on justification by faith alone.  Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. Hold fast to what is true and discard anything that does not stand the test of Scripture.  The norming norm of the church is the inerrant Word of God (properly interpreted and applied).

Matthew 24-25 must be understood in light of Matthew 23:37-39 (see sermon on Luke 13:34-35) and in view of the confusion of Luke 19:11.

Birth pangs happen just prior to birth.  The “birth pangs” relate to the seal, trumpet, bowel judgments of Revelation 6-18.  In Matthew 24 Jesus highlights five “signs” that the end is near.

Luke 19 and Luke 21:20-24a (see previous sermons on these texts) deal with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.  The events of AD 70 and the Plight of Israel set the stage for what’s to come (note Zech. 12-14; Rev. 6-20). 

Matthew 24-25 is revelation about the future Tribulation period and the Return of Christ (aka the 2^nd Coming).

How does “prophetic telescoping” help us make sense of why Jesus’ original disciples initially struggled to understand the Messiah’s message related to “the age to come” and the postponed “Kingdom of God?” (note also Luke 19:11f)  Isaiah 61:1-2 (note carefully Luke 4:16-30)  Illustration- Viewing a “mountain ridge” from a basin in Los Angeles-  (explain)

The three major covenants of God with Israel are the Abrahamic, the Davidic, and the New Covenants.  Related messages are also available on our website www.lakecountrybible.org 

For articles related to what’s being taught at LCBC check out http://preacherboy316pt2.blogspot.com/

Related Praise Songs:  Theology fuels Doxology!  We dig deeply in order that we may go high!

People Get Ready, Jesus is Coming- Crystal Lewis

How Sweet and Awful is the Day- Together for the Gospel live

The Days of Elijah-

He Will Hold Me Fast- Together for the Gospel live

Jesus Shall Reign O’er All the Earth- Keith and Kristyn Getty

Related Biblical Texts:  Search the Scriptures to see if these things be so.

Daniel 9:24-27; Zechariah 12-14; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thess. 5:1-11; 2 Thess. 2:1-15; Rev. 6-20.

Key Terms: Every Christian is a theologian and the Church is the pillar of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15)

Parousia- means coming or permanent presence.  Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, and 39.  One day the King shall return in fully glory and in power.  The signs of the 2^nd Coming is the theme of today’s sermon.

The Day of the Lord-  Can be used to speak of historical judgments that have already taken place (Is. 13:6-22), impending judgment, but is often used to talk about a day of reckoning in the future.  See Joel 2:30-32; Zech. 14:1f; Malachi 4:1, 5.

Key Terms: Every Christian is a theologian and the Church is the pillar of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15)

Eschatology- The biblical study of end times events.  Future things.  A large percentage of the Word of God deals with things that are yet to come.

Ichabod- Basically means the glory of God has departed.  Note Matthew 23:38; 1 Samuel 4:21-22; Ezk 9:3, 10:4, 11:23.

The Antichrist-  AKA the Beast, the man of lawlessness, the false rider on the white horse.  An agent of Satan who will deceive the nations (including Israel) during the future Tribulation.  Note Daniel 9:27; Rev. 13, 19; 2 Thess. 2.

The “Prophetic YOU.”  In Matthew 24-25 Jesus instructs a future generation who will be alive during the coming Tribulation period.  The Old Testament Prophets also employed the “prophetic you.”  Note Isaiah 33:17-24; 66:10-14; Zech.3:17-20; 9:9.  This does not mean these passages are of no value to everyone else.  They simply have special relevance to the generation that is alive during the events records in Revelation 6-19.

Related Sermons and Lessons:  Most sermons build upon previously established truths from former studies.  If one missed 3 weeks in a row of their favorite television series it would help to go back and catch up if one really wanted to make full sense of current and future episodes.  In a similar sense, this is also true of expositional teaching series at LCBC.

All sermons and lessons are posted on our website- http://www.lakecountrybible.org/sermons/

See Revelation: The End of the Beginning series (19 sermons thus far).

See Prophecy and Eschatology: The Future, Earthly Kingdom of Christ (4 sermons)

See the Great Bible Covenants (6 sermons).  Revelation 19-22 is, in many ways, the final fulfillment of the grand covenant promises of God that are made in the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenant(s).  It’s hard to appreciate the New Testament if we do not understand the major themes and promises in the Old Testament (note 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

See The Plight of Israel: A Historical, Theological, Biblical Study (2 lessons thus far)

See Luke 1: God’s New Era of Salvation (6 sermons).  Note especially Mary’s inspired song (Luke 1:46-55) and Zacharias’ prophetic Benedictus (Luke 1:67-79) highlight the Messianic hope of Old Covenant believers based on God’s covenant promises.  Luke 1 is a wonderful bridge between the two Testaments.  The Messiah (Jesus) ties the entire Bible together.