Coming with Power and Glory:

Matthew 24:29-30 “...Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory...”

Mark 13:24-26 “...But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory...”

Luke 21:25-27 “...And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory...”

What event is being described?

• Revelation 1:7 “...Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen...”

• The coming of the Son of Man on the clouds.

When does this occur?

• Immediately after the tribulation previously described.

What signs immediately precede His appearance?

• The sun darkened.
• The moon not reflecting any light.
• The stars falling from heaven.
• The powers of the heavens shaken.

What do all see?

• Not the Jesus of the First coming..
• They see Jesus coming with great power and great glory.

Matthew 24:31 “...And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other...”

Mark 13:27 “...And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven...”

Luke 21:28 “...Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near...”

What occurs as “all see the Son of Man”?

• He sends out his angels to gather His elect.
• Redemption occurs.

When are people redeemed?

• When they accept the Jesus and are born into the kingdom.

When are people totally redeemed?

• At the end of the age, when Jesus returns

Why should you look forward to the coming of the Son of Man?

• All will be made right.
• Justice will finally prevail.

Why will that time be difficult?

• The tribulation comes first.

When should you “...straighten up and raise your heads...” ?

• When there are “...signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken...”

• When everything you consider to be normal is disintegrating before your eyes.

A Really, Really, Bad Time:

Context:

• Jesus had been talking about wars and rumors of wars.
• He had been talking about earthquakes and famines.
• He described them as only the beginning of the birth pains of the end.
• Now he describes something more severe.

Matthew 24:15-19 “...So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for   

Mark 13:14-17 “...But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!...”

Luke 21:20-24 “...But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled...”

When is it time to flee?

• When you see the abomination of desolation.
• When the armies of the enemy surround Jerusalem.

What is the abomination of desolation?

• Daniel 9:27 “...And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator ...”
• We won’t attempt to explain the prophesy that weaves together the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age.
• Suffice it to say that the good intentions of God get so severely perverted that a level of tribulation is reached that previously was unimaginable.

What specific instructions are given for this time?

• Flee to the mountains.
• Don’t take the time to gather any of your belongings.
• There’s no turning back.
• The time will be difficult for those who are pregnant or nursing.

Matthew 24:20-22 “...Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 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...”

Mark 13:18-20 “...Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days...”

Is this tribulation a random act?

• “...these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written...”
• This, like all Godly prophesy, will occur as it is written.

Is this tribulation severe?

• People have experienced a lot of tribulation through history.
• This is unlike any other tribulation.
• It has the potential to wipe out all humanity.

Does God care?

• For the sake of the elect he cuts the days short.

Matthew 24:23-28 “...Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as 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. 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. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather...”

Mark 13:21-23 “...And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand...”

What specific danger does Jesus warn about with respect to the tribulation?

• False christs and false prophets will lead people astray.

Why will people be lead astray?

• There will be great signs and wonders performed

How does Jesus recommend avoiding this problem?

• Be on guard because He has given the proper warning beforehand.

Signs of the End:

Context:

• Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple.
• The disciples wanted to know more about what was coming.
• They specifically asked about the sign of His coming and the end of the age.

Matthew 24:4-8 “...And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 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. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains...”

Mark 13:5-8 “...And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains...”

Luke 21:8-10 “...And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once. Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences...”

What was the first thing Jesus had to say in answer to their “end of the age” questions?

• See that no on leads you astray.
• Jesus knew the potential for deception.
• Jesus warned about following error.

What other advice did Jesus offer?

• Do not be alarmed. Do not be terrified.
• There will be wars and rumors of wars.
• Nation against nation. Kingdom against kingdom.
• Famines and earthquakes.

Do these things exist today?

What is human tendency when facing wars, famines, and earthquakes?

• To be alarmed. To be terrified.

Are these signs of the end?

• These are but the beginning.

Matthew 24:9-11 “...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. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray...”

Mark 13:9 “...But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them...”

Luke 21:11-12 “... And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake...”

How does Matthew 24:9-11 parallel the history of the United States?

• Hated by all nations.
• Many fall away.
• False prophets lead many astray.

Matthew 24:12-14 “...And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 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...”

Mark 13:10-13 “...And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved...”

Luke 21:13-19 “...This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives...”

Is the end typified by love or hate?

• “the love of many will grow cold”.
• “you will be hated”

Is there hate for Christ followers today?

Why is endurance needed?

• Jesus is describing very unpleasant times.
• “The one who endures to the end will be saved”.
• “By your endurance you will gain your lives”

What does God expect to occur during these times?

• The gospel will be proclaimed to all nations.
• There will be opportunity to bear witness.
• The Holy Spirit will give the people of God the words they need.

How are these the worst of times and the best of times?

Beautiful, Doomed, Reworked?

Context:

• The temple was being admired.
• “...wonderful stones ... wonderful buildings...” Mark
• “...adorned with noble stones...” Luke

Matthew 24:2 “...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...”

Mark 13:2 “...And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down...”

Luke 21:6 “...As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down...”

What do people admire?

• Things that they see with their eyes?
• Things that they know?
• Things that have value in the current culture?

What can be missing in the “what we see and what we know” evaluation of life?

• The forthcoming intentions of God.
• The conflict between the kingdoms of this earth and the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Our posture before Almighty God

Jeremiah 7:4 “...Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD’ ...”

Jeremiah 7:9-10 “...Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to 

Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’ - only to go on doing all these abominations?...”

Jeremiah 7:14-15 “...therefore I will do to the house that is called by my name, and in which you trust, and to the place that I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I cast out all your kinsmen, all the offspring of Ephraim...”

Why was the original temple destroyed?

• The abominations of the people of God.
• Failure to obey the intentions of God.

Why was the temple of Jesus’ day going to be destroyed?

• Abominations and failure to obey?
• God had a perfect plan?

Is there a temple now?

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “...Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body...”

• The ark of the covenant, the original temple and the rebuilt temple were to be dwelling places for God.
• Our bodies are to be dwelling places for God.

Are there any abominations or failures to obey that cause “...a temple of the Holy Spirit...” to be destroyed?

 

1 Corinthians 15:50-54 “...I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory...”

What we see now, we see dimly.

God has a perfect plan.

Can we see beyond the current wonders?