the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

B. Think:

1. Read 1 Cor 6:19 & Jn 2:19-21. What 2 temples are here?

2. Which temple did the disciples focus upon?

3. Yet what was the reality of what was happening?

C. Comment:

There is amazing irony in these few verses. We know from the Bible's teaching that God indwells the human bodies of Christians. We know that Jesus was, in fact, God in a human body. The body is sometimes referred to as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in today's reading, we have two temples: first there is the stone building called the Temple where Jews went to worship God. If you read the book of Ezekiel you are given an awful picture of the presence of God leaving the Temple (Ezek 10:4,18,19, 11:23 ). Now we have God (or at least His Son) leaving the temple. The human temple (dwelling of God) leaves the stone temple (supposedly the dwelling of God).

And what do the disciples do? They get excited about the stone temple! They were excited about a pile of stones, while the temple that really housed the presence of God walked with them, and they took that for granted. Isn't this an amazing picture of getting our spiritual realities mixed up? How we do this so often. We get excited by the apparently big things while missing the real things.

Jesus simply warns that the glory that was the stone building will be destroyed (and it was in AD 70). If we put our trust in human structures, whether buildings or programmes, they will eventually fall, taking us with them. Let us rather rejoice in the fact that we are the present temple of the Holy Spirit.

D. Application:

1. Our trust is to be in God alone, not in man-made things.

2. Perhaps I need to reassess my values.

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:4-8

A. Find Out:

1. What does Jesus first generally warn them against? v.4

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.

2. Why do they need that warning? v.5

For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many

3. What will they hear about? v.6a

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,

4. Yet what is to be their reaction and why? v. 6b

but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

5. What other things will happen? v.7

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

6. How are they to view these things? v.8

All these are the beginning of birth pains.

B. Think:

1. What had the disciples previous asked in v.3?

2. What 3 sorts of things would happen before the end?

3. Yet how were they to view these things?

C. Comment:

The disciples have just asked Jesus when the Temple would be destroyed and when this age will come to an end. As they sat on the Mount of Olives gazing on that wonderful building, Herod's Temple , they could only envisage its destruction as the end of the world. Jesus, somewhat enigmatically doesn't deny that but instead gives a list of things that will happen first.

His initial list of things are a) deception, with the coming of false Christs, b) wars, with nation rising against nation, and c) natural catastrophes, famines earthquakes etc. Two thousand years on we can see that these are all long term things, things that perhaps have continued to happen throughout that period, but perhaps will reach a climax just before he comes again. The twentieth century has been littered with all of these three things in great measure, perhaps more than any century before it.

Yet, says Jesus, these are only the beginning of the things that will lead up to my return. There will also be other things to happen before he comes but these are the general conditions that will prevail, deception, conflict and natural upheaval, all things resulting from the Fall, resulting from the sin of mankind. Be on the watch, as history moves on, for these things to happen more and more.

D. Application:

1. These things are not the end, just the warning that it is coming.

2. Unrestrained sin brings deception, conflict and upheaval.

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:9-14

A. Find Out:

1. What would then happen to Jesus' disciples? v.9

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

2. What would also happen? v.10

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other

3. Yet what third thing will happen? v.11

many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

4. What will happen in men's hearts and why? v.12

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold

5. Who will be saved? v.13

but he who stands firm to the end will be saved

6. What will finally happen? v.14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

B. Think:

1. How is this passage about faith and unfaithfulness?

2. What overall picture of the earth does it convey?

3. How does this passage differ from the previous one?

C. Comment:

In the previous passage we considered yesterday, Jesus covered what would happen at national level. Now he deals with what will happen at a personal level. It seems that this passage will follow chronologically from the previous one.

The characteristics that follow the upheavals of, and on, the earth are OPPOSITION, BACKSLIDING, DECEIT AND LOVELESS WICKEDNESS - rather a grim picture! First there will come a rising up against believers which will include martyrdom and general hostility against Christians on a world-wide scale. At the same time the faith of many believers will fail, perhaps because of the persecution, and they will join in the attack on true ongoing believers, encouraged perhaps by false prophets, teaching wrong things. Wickedness will increase and love will simply be a word. At the beginning of the twenty first century the signs of these possibilities are clearly there.

In the midst of all of this the message is quite clear: it is only those who stand firm and hold to the truth of the Gospel who will be saved. During this time the Gospel will go out across the whole world so that no one will be able to say they didn't know. Once that has been achieved the end will come.

D. Application:

1. Men may change but the Gospel ever remains the same.

2. God wants all peoples to hear of His love.

3. God's grace will be sufficient whatever comes!

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:15-25

A. Find Out:

1. What were they to watch out for? v.15

"So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' B spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand

2. Who should then do what? v.16

then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

3. Who should not do what? v.17,18

Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.

4. When should they hope it won't happen? v.20

Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.

5. What will be happening? v.21,22

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

6. Who should they beware of and why? v.23,24

At that time 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 appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.

B. Think:

1. Read Daniel 9:26,27

2. How is this shown to be a time of fear?

3. How is it shown to be a limited time?

C. Comment:

In this passage Jesus continues to prophesy what will happen before the end. Whereas the previous sections of prophecy had been quite general, about wars and upheavals and the decline of love and faith, this passage seems to indicate a specific limited period of history, for verse 21 speaks of it as never having occurred before and will never occur again in following history. This seems to indicate a specific event. Let's note it's characteristics.

First there is going to be an invasion during which something of a foreign god will be set up where the temple was. It will be a time that comes quickly, yet with sufficient time for the inhabitants to flee the city if they want to. It will be a limited time (v.22) so that the church will not be destroyed. When this happens they were not to see this as the end, and when false Messiahs come they are not to believe them. So what does it mean? Well prophecy can have more than one fulfilment but the wording of this one indicates it will be a one-off thing. In AD70 Rome's armies invaded Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. When the ensigns of Rome , dedicated to Roman gods came that would have fulfilled the prophecy. However, it is always possible that the full fulfilment is yet to happen. Only time will tell. In the meantime we are to keep open minds and are to remain alert.

D. Application:

1. Jesus knows the future and warns his people.

2. We can rest in his provision whatever comes.

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:26-31

A. Find Out:

1. What are they not to respond to? v.26

"So if anyone tells you, `There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, `Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

2. How will the return of Christ be seen? v.27

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

3. What picture did Jesus use to convey what would happen? v.28

Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

4. What did he say again would happen at that time? v.29

"Immediately after the distress of those days " `the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

5. What did he again say about his return? v.30

"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

6. What will happen to believers at that time? v.31

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

B. Think:

1. What physical signs will precede the coming of Jesus?

2. How will Jesus come and what effect will it have on the church?

3. How should we therefore treat anything less than this?

C. Comment:

Jesus has just said (v.24) that false Christs will come, so now he tells them, if anyone tells you that I've come back, don't believe them! Why? Because when he comes back again it will be just like the lightning that flashes from one side of the sky to the other, everyone will see it. To ensure we hear it loud and clear he repeats it (v.30); he will come with great splendour next time. We find the same thing recorded in Acts 1:11 , 1 Thess 4:16 and Rev 19:11 -16. When Jesus comes again it will be so that every eye will see his coming.

The other thing to note here is that when he comes he will take all the Christians to be with him (v.31 & 1 Thess 4:17 ). There is no room therefore for the belief that Jesus will come back secretly and that the rapture of God's people will take place silently and secretly. The visible coming of Christ, seen by all, and the taking of all the Christians to be with him are clearly linked in these passages.

v.28 is a graphic picture where Jesus says that in the same way that a carcass is made obvious by the vultures that gather, so will the coming of Christ be visible by the gathering to him. It may also have a sense that the world will be in decay before he yet comes. There will be distress by physical and probably social calamities.

D. Application:

1. Jesus' return will be clear and obvious. Every knee will bow.

2. If we're still on the earth when he comes, we'll be caught up to him.

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:32-35

A. Find Out:

1. From what were they to learn? v.32a

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree

2. What would happen to tell them what? v.32b

As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.

3. So how would that apply to what he had just said? v.33

Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.

4. What would not happen before all these things occur? v.34

I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

5. How sure could they be of all this? v.35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

B. Think:

1. What point is Jesus making in verses 32 & 33?

2. What point is he making in verse 34?

3. What point is he then making in verse 35?

C. Comment:

In these few verses Jesus is declaring some broad truths. First, he is warning that those on the earth, when these things occur, will be able to understand what is going on. To state this he uses the picture of a simple fig tree (for us today we might simply use an apply tree, say). When the leaves of the tree come out you know that Summer is approaching. The simple observable sign tells you the time is near. So it is with all he's been saying. When you see all these things happening, you can be sure the end is near.

Second, there is a certainty of these things coming. He declares this in two ways. First he speaks of “this generation”, or “this group or tribe of people” and says they won't pass away or be removed until all this occurs. This “generation” could mean those alive then because he still hasn't come. It's unlikely that he meant the whole human race because that wouldn't be compatible with all he had said previously. It is more likely that he meant the Jewish race that he was addressing at that moment. While there are Jews on the earth it is still yet to be fulfilled. Or the other way round, there will be Jews on the earth until it is fulfilled. Second, he declares that even if heaven and earth passes away, his words will not disappear, but instead they WILL be fulfilled. In all this there is a certainty!

D. Application:

1. The signs will be there for the seeker to see when it happens.

2. These things WILL happen. God's plan WILL be fulfilled.

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:36-41

A. Find Out:

1. Who doesn't know when all this will happen? v.36a

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son

2. Who alone knows when it will happen? v.36b

only the Father

3. To what did Jesus compare it? v.37

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

4. What had been happening right up to the flood? v.38

For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;

5. So how was that likened to the future? v.39

they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man

6. What will actually happen? v.40,41

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

B. Think:

1. What main point is Jesus making here?

2. How does he illustrate that?

3. What IS the crucial event he's talking about?

C. Comment:

It's easy to forget, when we are looking at individual verses, what it is that Jesus is talking about. Essentially, he is speaking about his own return (v.30,39). In the previous paragraph (v.32-35) he stated that the signs will be there for people to see and that the event WILL happen. Now he majors on the fact that no one except God the Father actually knows when this will happen. The amazing thing is that he himself doesn't know when it will be, only the Father knows, so if anyone claims to have special knowledge of when Jesus is coming back, don't believe them!!!!!

To help them take in this fact he illustrates it by reference to what happened at the Flood (Notice that Jesus considers the flood an historical event!). At that time life just carried on as usual right up to the end, with the vast majority of people completely unaware of what was going to happen. It was only the righteous seeker after God (Noah) who knew about it. That's how it will be before Jesus returns; the vast majority of people will be completely oblivious to his coming. But when he comes he will take up to himself (v.31 & 1 Thess 4:16 ,17) all believers, and all unbelievers will see it happen (v.30 & 1 Thess 4:16 ), so don't believe anything about a secret rapture. All will see & know!

D. Application:

1. Be alert for the times. Keep watch. He IS coming.

2. You WILL know it when he comes. Every one will know!

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:42-44

A. Find Out:

1. What are we to do therefore? v.42a

"Therefore keep watch

2. Why? v.42b

because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

3. What example does Jesus give of this? v.43a

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch

4. What didn't he do & what therefore happened? v.43b

and would not have let his house be broken into.

5. So what, again, does he tell us to do? v.44a

So you also must be ready

6. Why? 44b

because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

B. Think:

1. Again, what event is Jesus speaking about?

2. What is he at pains to teach us?

3. How does he illustrate this?

C. Comment:

In the previous paragraph Jesus had been saying that his return would be both a surprise and certain. It would result in his own people being taken to be with him while the rest are left for destruction. Now he emphasises the need to be alert to watch for him and to be ready. This is the thrust of these words.

So, twice in this passage he warns us to be ready. First he says “keep watch” or be on the look out. A Christian should be someone who “stands on the watchtower” looking for the return of their master. Second he says, “be ready” or be prepared, ensure your life is right with God so that you won't be ashamed when you meet him. This should be one of the motivations that helps keep us walking a holy and righteous life, the thought that one day, perhaps soon, Jesus will be coming to take us to himself.

As always, Jesus uses a picture to emphasise what he is saying. He speaks of a house owner whose house was burgled (it happened in those times too!). Look he says, if the house owner had known the burglar was coming he would have stayed up and remained awake and alert to protect his house. As it was he was burgled because he wasn't aware of what was about to happen. The implication is obvious!

D. Application:

1. We are to be a watching people - watching for Jesus' return.

2. We are to be a prepared people - who won't be embarrassed by him.

Chapter: Matthew 24

Passage: Matthew 24:45-51

A. Find Out:

1. Who then does Jesus portray? v.45

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

2. When will it be good for that person? v.46

It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns

3. What will the master then do? v.47

I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

4. But what other thing could that person do? v.48,49

But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, `My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

5. What will subsequently happen? v.50

The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.

6. With what result? v.51

He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth

B. Think:

1. What positive picture does Jesus paint for us to follow here?

2. What negative picture does he give as a warning to be avoided?

3. What is the point of this teaching?

C. Comment:

Remember Jesus has been teaching his disciples about his eventual return, and so these verses must be seen in that context. He paints two pictures to illustrate what he has been saying. The first is of a faithful servant who has been put in charge of the other servants while the master is away. That servant does what his master has told him to do and so is rewarded when his master returns. The second picture shows the servant abusing the other servants and doing that which is quite contrary to the instructions of the master. Because the master doesn't give any warning of his return, this servant is caught doing this and is thoroughly punished.

The message is quite clear, reinforcing what Jesus has already said: 1. We don't know when the master (Jesus) will return and so, 2. We need to ensure we are being faithful and doing what he said when he left, else 3. Punishment awaits those who disobey.

This is a solemn warning. Possibly it applies mainly to spiritual leaders because the servant is a servant in charge of other servants. Observe the failure of this servant is not just an occasional misdemeanour, but a whole lifestyle of turning away and doing his own thing to the detriment of others.

D. Application:

1. Jesus will come back. Be prepared.

2. Ensure you are doing what he has told you to do when he returns.

RECAP: "A Call to be Alert" - Matthew 24

SUMMARY :

In this final group of 9 studies we have seen Jesus on the Mount of Olives speaking to his disciples about history through to the End Times :

- the general conditions that will prevail: deception, conflict and

natural upheaval (v.4-8)

- on a personal level: opposition, backsliding, deceit and

loveless wickedness (v.9-14)

- a specific period of invasion of the Temple (v.15-22)

- a warning against false Christs (v.23-26)

- his return will be visible to all (v.27-31)

- the signs will be sure and the word is certain

- the exact time is unknown

- the call is to be alert and watching

- the call is to be obedient when he returns.

COMMENT :

This chapter is a catalogue of the things that Jesus' disciples are to watch for in coming history. Their end is Jesus clear and visible return, but before that happens, this Fallen World will exhibit numerous signs which should not disturb believers, only confirm them in their faith. The world will not be at peace. Quite to the contrary there will be upheavals of all sorts, physical and spiritual. There will be deception and delusion. There will be reversals of fortune and false messiahs coming to help, yet the only real help will be from God and from His Son who WILL come again. Again we must reiterate, these things are said to stop the believer being disturbed when these things happen. The Grace of God will be there at all times!

LESSONS?

1. Our trust must be in God, not in events.

2. We are not to be disturbed by upheavals.

3. The call is for us to remain true in the face of opposition.

4. The call is to remain true and not be deceived.

5. God's grace and wisdom is there for us throughout.

PRAY :

Lord, I commit my future into your hands. You are the Lord and your will is supreme. Thank you for your love and your grace.

Section SUMMARY - Matthew, Chapters 21-24

In these four chapters we have seen:

1. Jesus arrival in Jerusalem for the final week

preparing the scene (21:1-7)
being heralded by the crowds (21:8-11)
entering the Temple ( 21:12 )
overthrowing the money changers' tables ( 21:12 -16)
returning to Bethany . ( 21:17 )

2. Jesus' teaching & healing in the Temple and being challenged.

returning next morning to Jerusalem ( 21:18 )
cursing the fig tree and teaching on prayer ( 21:19 -22)
being challenged over his authority ( 21:23 -27)
telling parables that challenged Israel 's history
- of the two sons ( 21:28 -32)
- of the tenants ( 21:33 -46)
- of the wedding banquet (22:1-14)
being challenged by the Pharisees and Sadducees
- about paying taxes ( 22:15 -22)
- about the resurrection ( 22:23 -33)
- about the Law ( 22:34 -40)
challenging about the Messiah ( 22:41 -46)
denouncing them strongly (23:1-39)

3. Jesus on the Mount of Olives explaining the future.

warning of the destruction of the Temple (24:1-2)
warning of wars and upheavals (24:3-8)
warning of coming persecutions (24:9-14)
warning of the Temple 's invasion by an alien god (24:15-22)
warning against false Christs (24:23-26)
declaring his second coming will be clear and visible (24:27-31)
calling for us to watch for the signs (24:32-35)
declaring that the time will be a surprise and unknown (24:36-41)
calling for alertness and faithfulness to the end (24:42-51)

Section CONCLUSION - Matthew, Chapters 21-24

As we come to the end of this set of Studies we should, perhaps, note the following:

1. Jesus in Control

As we look over these four chapters, there is a sense that Jesus is not phased by the grumblings of the religious authorities, but is quietly in charge! He was in control of his entry into Jerusalem and did it in a prophetic manner for those who would have eyes to see, as well as to provoke the authorities. He overturns the materialism in the Temple , carries out a ‘healing service' and then goes home for the night. Next morning he's back teaching with such wisdom that all his critics are silenced! Eventually he leaves with his disciples and goes to the Mount of Olives where he continues teaching them.

In all this is the sense that he is working out his own purposes in his own time. He is coming out into the open and thus provoking the religious authorities in such a way that they will rise against him and the worst crime in the history of the world be perpetrated – in order to save the world! The divine purpose is being meticulously worked out.

2. The Horrors of “Religion”

We cannot escape the fact that in these chapters those who opposed Jesus and those who received his denunciations, were the religious representatives of the day – the Pharisees, priests, teachers of the Law, and the Sadducees. As much as it may make some of us feel uncomfortable, the truth is that it was largely religion with a nationalistic flavour that actually brought about the death of the Son of God. In these chapters some of the worst characteristics of such “religion” are exposed: pride, exhibitionism, hypocrisy, legalism, lack of grace, harshness, refusal to consider the truth, rejection of God's messengers, man made rules prevailing over God's laws, spiritual death covered up by outward appearances of religious ritual. Now that may sound condemning, but it IS what is revealed in these chapters as the nature of religiosity in Jesus' day, and it was this that reacted to the truth Jesus declared and had him put to death.

3. Our Own Responses

Submission to the lordship of the sovereign Christ? Rejection of anything that smacks of unreal religiosity?