Signs of His Coming

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Signs of His Coming

Matthew 24:1-28; Leader Guide

24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “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.”

3 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?” 4 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. 7 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.

9 “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. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 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.

15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Observe.What are some obvious points in the text?

Ask.What questions does the text raise?

GospelHow does the text point to the gospel?

Apply.How does the text apply at home, church, school, work and recreation?

Share.With whom can I share the text?

Introduction and Overview

This section of Matthew’s Gospel is known as the Olivet Discourse, which means “End Times.” Jesus and His disciples are leaving the temple mount heading towards the Mount of Olives which overlooks the holy City, Jerusalem. As they leave the temple mount, Jesus’ disciples call His attention to the grandeur of the Temple complex. It was a massive architectural work, truly a wonder in the ancient world. The stones that formed the foundation of the complex, the stones they were walking by, were massive. And to their question about the beauty of the buildings, Jesus gives a prophetic warning and look to the future.

Verses 4-28 of chapter 24 are best to be taken as one literary piece, meaning that Jesus is speaking of one whole time period. Jesus does, however, identify a specific and brief period of judgment within the larger whole, and that is the fall and destruction of Jerusalem. As Jesus is prophesying these coming destructions to the disciples, they understandably associate the destruction of the temple with the end of the age. The temple had been the center of worship for the people of Israel for generations. It was the place of God’s dwelling with His people; the place where man communed with and worshipped God. The disciples could not fathom that life could persist without the temple. And yet, Jesus, in prophesying the destruction of the Temple, was also teaching that the place of God’s dwelling among His people had moved. Not to a another physical location, but into His own person. The Temple was the place of worship through sacrifice as man was made right before Holy God. And now, through the work of Christ, He would become the eternal temple for man. He would atone, and He would finish the work.

It is easy to become caught up in the prophetic discussions of trial and tribulation Jesus speaks of. It is easy to be drawn into the destruction of the Temple and the siege of Jerusalem from 66-70A.D. These things happened, and are happening, but this is not the main point of Jesus’ teaching. Verse 14 states, “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.” Here is the center of Christ’s teaching and prophesying. As it always has been, so it always will be: the focus of the Kingdom is the work of the gospel.

Jesus’ theme for the last several chapters in Matthew has been God’s authority, and therefore, His authority. Like the disciples, our first reaction to discussions of suffering and tribulation can often be negative, worrisome and faithlessness. Our first response can often be questions of “why” and of avoidance. Many turn and walk away because they have no interest in suffering or tribulation, thinking that leaving Christ will somehow spare them. The reality is that Christ has authority over these sufferings and tribulations, and it is through them that the gospel breaks forth. As Jesus told His disciples, “do not be distracted by the world or those claiming to be a false messiah.” Rather, we are to set our eyes and hope fully upon Christ Jesus, our Lord. It is He Who calls us from death to life, commissions unto His work, and empowers us through the Spirit to succeed. Do not miss the authoritative nature of verse 14. The gospel WILL go forth, and THEN the end will come. Shying away from the gospel for fear of hardship means denying the gospel for lack of faith. Christ will not fail, and the gospel will not fail.

Interpretation

Matthew 24 is a difficult passage to approach and work through as it contains prophetic warnings and teachings. This is often called the Olivet Discourse, which means “End Times.” In this passage, Jesus is warning against two specific things. First, He foretells the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Jerusalem. Specifically, verses 15-22 refer to the siege and fall of Jerusalem in 66-70A.D., whereas the larger teaching of verses 4-28 refer to the coming end of the age. While the many signs are not unimportant, we must not become sidetracked in them. The important thing for the church to see is in the midst of sure and coming suffering and affliction, vs.14 clearly states, “...the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world…” This means that the mission of the Church is to carry the gospel to all peoples! Our affliction does not halt the gospel. Rather, it fuels it. Our hope is in the sure and unfailing promises of God, not in the temporary sufferings of earth. God prevails; Always!

Christ’s Return: The Fuel of Missions

Read Acts 13:44-52

How does this passage support Jesus’ prophecy from Matthew 24? Why does this fulfillment drive Paul and Barnabas onward in their work?

The people of the city are all stirred up by what Paul and Barnabas are teaching. They proclaim Christ and the gospel of hope. The Jews, however, are stirred up against Paul and Barnabas, whereas the Gentiles rejoice over what they are hearing. Paul explains that the Jews had ignored the revelation of Scripture which is why their house was left to them desolate (Matt. 23:38). The gospel is going forward to all nations, represented by the Gentiles hearing and rejoicing. Further, Paul and Barnabas are greatly encouraged by the response of the Gentiles. Verse 52 clearly says, “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” But let’s not miss the reality of persecution. The Jews were outraged over this and brought persecutions against Paul and Barnabas. They even went so far as to drive them out of the region. And yet, it says “they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.” This simply means they moved on. Paul and Barnabas understood that gospel ministry would bring hardship and suffering. Jesus said so. And yet, in the midst of their suffering, we see the fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching in Matt. 24:14 … the gospel is going forth.

Based on the passage, what should be our response to the rejection of the gospel? Is there an assumption about our intentionality with the gospel?

With Paul and Barnabas, we should not be moved from the work Christ has called us to. We can assume the two men were saddened at the response they received, and in their humanity, they most likely struggled emotionally. But, they were not moved from their mission. Verse 52 clearly says they were filled with joy. This does not mean they were necessarily happy and carefree. They had, after all, just been driven out of a city. Even so, they continued on full of joy and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the implication for you and I is that as we faithfully carry out the mission of God, which is the proclamation of the gospel, there will be times of rejection and hardship. Like Paul and Barnabas, we can be confident that even in rejection and hardship, our fullness of joy in the Lord remains steady.

As for our intentionality, the call of Christ to share the gospel implies that we will, indeed, be sharing the gospel. Paul and Barnabas were not driven out because they believed the gospel. They were driven out because they preached and proclaimed Christ boldly. As Christ-followers, our mandate is to give our lives to spreading the gospel. Because Christ completed the mission of God through the cross and resurrection, we are fueled and motivated in our spirit to engage in the work. Paul and Barnabas did not faithfully endure hardship and suffering for no reason. Rather, they faithfully and joyfully endured for “the joy that was set before them” (Heb. 12:2). Our intentionality with the gospel reveals our commitment to the call of Christ.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Why is the cross of Christ central to our ministry of reconciliation? How does this ministry of reconciliation fulfill the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24?

The cross and resurrection are central to the Christian faith. We live by these truths, looking to Christ as the Author and Perfecter of our faith. As Paul writes in verses 18-19, it was God Who reconciled us to Himself through the work of Christ on the cross. Apart from this, we have no hope before Holy God. Therefore, our ministry and our intentionality with the gospel is totally focused and dependent upon the work of Christ. So, we see that as Paul calls us to be faithfully calling others to be reconciled to Christ, we are fulfilling the prophetic teaching of Jesus from Matt. 24:14. Through us, through the Church, the gospel is going foward to all peoples.

There is also the great importance of being reconciled to those with whom we may be at odds for whatever reason. As we follow Christ's example of reconciliation, we must take the initiative to seek horizontal reconciliation and/or forgiveness even when we are the offended party. Christ’s reconciliation does not stop only at gospel-salvation. It heals all wounds and restores all relationships.

What does it mean that “we are ambassadors for Christ”? If God is making His appeal through us, how are we to then live?

The word ambassador means “one who represents.” In the context of the verse, it can also mean “an interpreter.” Thus, we understand that we, as redeemed men and women, are to live as those who represent Christ to the world. Further, we can think of our jobs as being interpreters of God to lost and sinful people. We are to take the Scriptures and speak of God to all peoples. Knowing this, knowing that God has purposed His Church for gospel work, we make every effort to discipline ourselves for holiness. If we are going to be God’s appeal to the world, we must be fully committed to Christ and His work. This also means that we live with incredible intention for the gospel, in our homes, workplaces, with friends, family, etc.

Therefore, we understand that Christianity is not passive. It is not something to be taken up when convenient and put down when cumbersome. Rather, Christianity teaches us how to live. It is the primary shaping agent in our lives. We see everything through the lens of the gospel. And how do we most effectively make a gospel appeal to the world? By saying with Paul, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). In other words, “Come into my life and watch me love and treasure Jesus.” The most effective way to communicate the gospel to people is simply to love Jesus with your whole life. Instead of compartmentalizing our evangelism to certain times, places and methods, it is understanding that our whole life is always teaching others about Jesus. We are either making Jesus look beautiful or making Him look optional.

Read Revelation 7:9-10; 20:11-15

What is the promise that sustains our confidence? Why does the coming judgment drive our urgency in missions now?

The great promise that sustains us is the certain reality of the coming end. There will be a day when life, as we know it, will come to a close. There is a day coming when Jesus will return to establish His eternal Kingdom is all of its glory. And the beautiful truth is that I am free to give my whole life to this coming reality. I am free to suffer, face tribulation and hardship, all with fullness of joy because nothing can stop this coming reality. Christ will come! Revelation 7:9-10 gives us a glimpse of it. Jesus said in Matt. 24:14 that the gospel would go to all peoples, and here we see peoples from all the earth standing before God.

We press on in the work with urgency. Why? If this is going to happen, why must we be urgent? We feel the urgency because Scripture is clear that our work will bring this about. Christ clearly said that the going of the gospel is what completes the work. As we think of that great image from Rev. 7:9-10—multitudes of people from all the earth—we recognize that God has called us to the work of gathering. We have an active part in bringing that reality to fruition. Therefore, we work with fervor and great confidence.

More than this, we recognize that the great judgment is coming as well. There will come a day when the Book of Life is opened, and those whose names are not listed will be eternally cast out. As Christians, we understand the heaviness of this, and this should drive our motivation to get the gospel to all peoples. There is no hope apart from Christ. God sends us. The need is urgent. The time is now.

The Big Picture

End times, also called eschatology, can often be a topic of interest. Many people debate when the coming of Christ will be, and what the state of the earth will be like when He does come. And while these things are not bad, they are not the main point of eschatological teaching. The main point is that the end is coming and the gospel is necessary for salvation. The main point is that the church has work to do. Therefore, let’s not concern ourselves with debates over timing. Rather, let’s concern ourselves with the gospel and the work of the gospel. Let’s concern ourselves with holy living and calling others to do the same. Jesus said the gospel WILL go forth. Let’s concern ourselves with that! And so we ask…