FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
At our Forge men’s bible study we just wrapped up our focus on the end times – Matthew 24: 15-35. As I was sitting there listening to Pastor Pete Alwinson lead us last week, my mind began to think how easy it is for all of us to focus on worst case scenarios. The truth is, we prepare for horrible things all the time, while not knowing what will actually happen – hurricanes, illness, nuclear war, recession. But in this passage in Matthew, Jesus tells us horrible things WILL HAPPEN. It’s not a question of whether it will happen. The only question we have is when it will happen, and are we prepared?
I often wonder if we take the words of Christ seriously at all.
In verses 15-28, Jesus begins by speaking about an abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel. The first half of the book of Daniel is about his life, and the second half is highly symbolic and prophetic. But the abomination of desolation is a reference to various passages in Daniel 9 and 11, as Pastor Pete shared, where Daniel prophesied of the desecration of the temple by the Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus erected a pagan altar and according to the Jewish historian Josephus, he even sacrificed swine in the temple. It’s clear from history that Antiochus went way out of his way to desecrate the temple.
Just so we understand the timeline, the desecration of the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes took place hundreds of years before the destruction of the temple by the Roman Empire. And Jesus again, prophesied the destruction of the temple by the Romans which took place several decades after his death.
I know this is a lot of background and historical information but here’s the relevance according to Pastor Pete: Jesus is saying the desecration was a foreshadowing of what was to take place (and did take place) in AD 70. Remember, the Romans not only destroyed the temple but Jerusalem as well. No one was safe! That’s why Jesus speaks about various groups of people running for their lives. Some will flee to the mountains, or stay hidden on their rooftops, and flee their field.
Jesus says, “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. 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.”
He goes from prophesying about a real historical event, the destruction of the temple in AD 70, to discussing the end times.
He uses the language of the “great tribulation” to describe what will take place right before his second coming. This great tribulation will be like nothing that’s ever taken place on earth. And for all not to die a violent death, the final days will be cut short.
Then Jesus shifts gears again and begins to discuss false signs as He did earlier in chapter 24. He says, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. 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.”
Notice a few things about verses 24-25: Twice he says, “do not believe it.” And once he says, “do not go out.”
Jesus is warning us against paying attention to false signs that would point to the end of time. Don’t pay attention to false Christ’s. Don’t pay attention to false prophets. If someone says Christ is out here in the woods or in this room, don’t pay attention to it! The whole point of the false teachers, prophets, and signs is to lead people astray. If it was possible, they would try to lead away the elect. In other words, if it was possible to take someone’s salvation from them these wolves in sheep’s clothing would try.
There will even be great signs and wonders according to Jesus. We must not be deceived. Difficult trials will come. Tough times are ahead. Jesus warns His disciples and us as well of this. That’s why He said, “I have told you beforehand.” The truth is that the second coming of Jesus Christ will sneak up on us. There will be no warning. There will be no giveaway. It will happen like a flash of lightning. You’re not anticipating it and then boom. And it will be at the point where things are the most severe. It’ll resemble a corpse laying on the ground with vultures pecking at it.
It will look like Christianity will be wiped off the face of the earth and then Christ will return. This is an interesting and confusing passage. There’s a lot wrapped up in verses 15-28. It’s interesting because Jesus takes a lot of time to describe the abomination of desolation to help the disciples better understand what would take place when the Romans would destroy Jerusalem and the temple along with it. And then He discusses the end times. Why did Jesus mingle those two things together? What does the destruction of the temple have to do with the end times?
Here’s the point that I think Jesus wants us all to get. The temple being destroyed, and the people of God being mocked and killed by the Romans was a small foretaste for what the end times will be like. Because what will occur right before Jesus returns will be much worse. The Romans ransacked Jerusalem and killed countless people. And for how bad and severe it was for those people – it’ll be much worse for believers right before the second coming of Christ.
So, how committed are you and I to Jesus Christ?
Jesus makes two things very clear: Expect false signs and expect persecution. The false signs will be attempts to lead people astray. If you know the Word of God, you can sniff out false teachers and false signs. But persecution… there’s not a lot you can do to prepare for it. In many ways persecution distinguishes the true followers of Christ from the casual. Are we willing to suffer for Christ?
Then in verses 29-31, Jesus tells us that what He explains next will occur immediately after the tribulation. So right after the persecution has peaked, that’s when Jesus will return. This is interesting because Jesus’s favorite title for himself isn’t the Son of God. People often assume it’s Son of God, but his favorite title for himself is Son of Man. And the “Son of Man” title is a reference to Daniel chapter 7. Listen to Daniel’s description of Christ.
“And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
The Son of Man title is a reference to his kingly role within the Godhead. When Jesus returns the creation will come undone. The sun will be darkened. The moon will not produce light and the stars will fall. The heavens will be shaken. Jesus describes things in very vivid terms. After a great cosmic upheaval Jesus will return. We understand from the other gospels “the sign” that Jesus mentions in verse 30 will be His appearance. But notice how He’ll return to earth, with power and great glory. And He’ll send out his angels with a loud trumpet call and He’ll gather the elect.
The person and work of Jesus Christ is much more complex than we often realize. We tend to think of Him meek and mild-mannered fellow that’s easy to take advantage of. Or a needy friend that’s constantly begging for attention. But those are total mischaracterizations of Him. What’s your conception of Jesus Christ? When Jesus came to earth the first time he came in a very humble manner. He was born in a manger. Essentially lived as a homeless man. Died by crucifixion between two criminals. It was humble.
It’s going to be totally different the second time.
People will mourn as He says in verse 30, because sin will be punished. People will be held accountable. The language Jesus uses to describe Himself in the second coming sounds like the return of a great king. He’s going to set everything straight. He’s going to fix everything. He’s going to right wrongs. The second time He comes it won’t be meek and humble; it will be characterized by strength and power. Are we prepared for that moment?
For many, the thought of that moment strikes fear in their heart. For others, it’ll be a moment of great celebration. Living our lives in total submission to Christ is the only way we’ll be prepared. Either way, if you die before His return or if He returns now, it’ll be the only thing that matters.
Many of you that know me, know that I joke around a lot. Sometimes it gets me into trouble. But there’s one thing I’ll never joke about and it’s the status of someone’s eternal soul. We’ll often think we have plenty of time! We have our whole lives to prepare. I’ll have 80 solid years to prepare for Christ’s return… but will you? Do you know that? Christ could return at any moment. You could die at any moment. You don’t need to wait to prepare for Christ. You need to prepare for Him right now by trusting in him.
We should never be indifferent toward things of eternal consequence. Look at verses 32-35. Jesus says it’s just like a fig tree stretching out its branches to indicate that summer is approaching. We should recognize increasing persecution and false signs as indicating the approaching second coming. He then mentions, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates in verse 33.
Earlier in chapter 24 Jesus mentions “birth pains.” In other words, signs that will indicate the approach of the second coming. That’s what Jesus is referring to when he mentions “all these things.” Remember, in verses 15-35 Jesus is still answering the disciples’ questions about when these things will be and what will be the sign?
So, Jesus is still answering that question. “These things” is a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, false signs, and persecution that’s going to be the build up to the second coming.
Many from that generation saw important signs like the destruction of the temple for example. But Jesus never states how much time will pass between the destruction of the temple and the second coming. It’s interesting that he uses a fig tree as an illustration to describe the anticipation for the second coming.
For many years, Israel was indifferent toward God. They didn’t really listen. They didn’t really care. Earlier in Matthew, Jesus compares Israel’s unfaithfulness to God to a fig tree that doesn’t bear fruit. What does Jesus do to it? He cursed it and it withered up and died. Receive the lesson of the fig tree. Anticipating the second coming of Jesus Christ should motivate us to live for Him right now. If Jesus is your Lord and you want to live for him, that should impact how you live. Have you risked anything for Jesus Christ? Have you stuck your neck out there for Him? Not a question I like asking myself to be honest.
I believe Jesus will look at those who took risks and say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Living our lives in light of the second coming means we might risk friendships. We might risk our career.
Living our lives in light of the second coming means we care. We care about the people around us. We care about the state of their eternal soul. A true believer cannot feel indifferent about the work of Jesus Christ.
To repeat, people have always been prepared for worst case scenarios. Many create plans for every “what if” scenario.
Is meeting Jesus your worst-case scenario or your best-case scenario? You will either face death, or face Jesus in His second coming. What will be on the other side of that day? Will it be your best-case scenario (eternity with Christ) or worst-case scenario (experiencing God’s wrath for eternity)?
For the believer, it’s easy to identify with the Apostle Paul when he wrestles with whether it’s better to remain on earth or to join Christ in heaven in Philippians 1. He says to be with Jesus is better, but he knows the church needs him. Do you remember how he begins that discussion? He says, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
But for many the day of Christ’s return will be terrible. It’ll be their worst-case scenario because He will by no means clear the guilty. There’s hope for the believer that recognizes their sin, repents, and trusts in Christ. But by God’s grace, he gave us a warning in the Scriptures. He told us He’s judging the world and He will return.
The Old Testament pointed to a Redeemer, and it came to pass. Even more than that, Jesus prophesied that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple and it came to pass. That’s two fulfilled prophecies among many. Why would we not take him seriously when he says he’s going to come again? Notice what He says in verse 35. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will never pass away.”
There will be a day when everything will be destroyed.
Jesus is warning us here that the day is coming. The only thing that will stand the test of time are his words. They will never pass away.
The King will return. Will you take him at his word? Will you be prepared? Will you rejoice to see your mighty Savior coming in glory? Or will you flee?
The day is sure. Don’t be a deserter. Don’t be unprepared. Don’t be indifferent. Rather, live for the king.
Joe Bouch, FORGE Winter Springs
