Matthew 24

TEXT: Matt. 24

INTRODUCTION:

A. MUCH CONFUSION - MUCH FALSE TEACHING.

B. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL( Matt.24:4-5 ).

I. CONTEXT:

A. UPBRAIDING THE JEWS( ch. 23:29-39 ).

B. JESUS' REMARK ABOUT THE TEMPLE( 24:1-2 ).

C. 3 PART QUESTION( vs. 3 ). 2 QUESTIONS - DISCIPLES DON'T KNOW IT.

D. STERN WARNING OF JESUS( vs. 4-5 ). THEN HE ANSWERS.

II. FALSE SIGNS - LEAD TO PERIOD OF SUFFERING - NOT "THE END."(vs.6).

A. FALSE SIGNS:

1. False prophets( vs. 5 ).

2. Wars and rumors of wars( vs. 6 ).

3. Famines and earthquakes( vs. 7 ).

4. Delivered up, persecution.(vs. 8-9)

5. Apostasy( vs. 10-12 ).

vs. 6 Great persecution, but not at "the end."

B. THE POINT - GOD DEMANDS FAITHFULNESS( vs. 13 ).

C. SIGNS OF THE END( vs. 14-15 ).

1. Gospel preached everywhere( Col. 1:6, 23 ).

2. Abomination of desolation - Daniel( Dan. 11:31; 12:11 ).

- explained( Luke 21:20 ).

3. "This generation"( vs. 34 ). Say more later.

III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TIME( vs. 16-28 ).

A. FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS ( vs. 16 ).

B. LEAVE BEHIND MATERIAL THINGS( vs. 17-18 ).

C. WOE TO THOSE WITH SMALL ONES( vs. 19 ).

D. PRAY FOR GOOD CONDITIONS ( vs. 20 ). WHY? WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD IT MAKE AT THE SECOND COMING?.

- Time of great stress, shortened for the faithful's sake (vs. 21-22).

E. BE SKEPTICAL OF PROPHETS OF THAT TIME( vs. 23-26 ).

1. All will see.

2. The vultures will be gathered.

IV. JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED - SYMBOLIC( vs. 25-31 ).

A. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS STRESSFUL TIME( vs. 29 ).

B. TERRIBLE EVENTS - JUDGMENT LANGUAGE( Isa. 13:10; 24:23; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Acts 2:16-20 ).

C. SON OF MAN'S COMING:

1. Isa. 19:1; Ez. 32:7; 34:12; Matt. 26:64.

2. Saints redemption from trial(Matt. 24:16-28; Luke 21:25-28).

D. AFFIRMATION OF SIGNS( vs. 32-34 ).

1. Signs likened to signs of nature - Show nearness.

2. "This generation"( Matt. 1:15; 11:16; 12:39; 10:23; 23:29-37; 16:28; Mk. 9:1 ).

V. SUBJECT CHANGE - SECOND QUESTION( vs. 35ff.).

A. vs. 36 WHAT DAY? NO ONE KNOWS!

B. THE SIGNS OF THAT OTHER DAY:

1. The sign of Noah - No Sign! except for Noah's preaching (vs. 37-39).

2. vs. 40-42. Context: Prepared vs. unprepared, some ready, some not.

Point: No Signs - watching must be continuous (1 Thes. 5:1-3).

3. vs. 43-44. Likened to a thief coming - CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

C. PARABLES OF THE SECOND COMING FOLLOW.

CONCLUSION: ARE YOU READY?