The Return Of The King
Text: Matthew Chapters 24, 25
As we move forward in our study of the Book of Matthew we come to some of most important and most enlightening words of Our Lord. These words can be called prophecy because they tell us the future. Jesus tells us of the signs and days before He returns to set up the Kingdom that these men thought would happen while Jesus was on this earth the first time.
These are not signs for the Church, the Bride of Christ. The Rapture of the Church will take place before the Millennial reign of Christ. The full truth about the Rapture of the Church had not been revealed at this time for it was still a mystery to these soon to be Apostles.
Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 [How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery]; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
The questions asked by these disciples of Jesus were concerning the Jews and the fulfilling of the Old Testament prophesies.
When Peter wrote later in life he stated that The New Testament scriptures were a more sure word of prophecy than was already known.
2Pe 1:19 [We have also a more sure word of prophecy]; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
By this Peter meant we now also had the words of Jesus:
Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 [Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son], whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Peter also wrote that there is to be no self interpretation of Bible prophecy!
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
When we study this Olivet Discourse given to us in these chapters of Matthew, in order for the interpretation to be an accurate there must be harmony between Old Testament prophecy, these chapters in Matthew and the Book of Revelation. The Bible itself is always it's own best commentary.
These words of Jesus grew out of questions asked by His disciples.
1.) They wanted to know when the Temple would be destroyed?
Matthew did not record this answer to this question but Luke did:
Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
This of course happened in 70 AD at the hands of Titus!
2.) They next wanted to know would there be any signs before Jesus would return?
Matthew writes of these.
3.) They wanted to know would there be signs of the end of the age we still live in.
Matthew writes of these.
What we will see is that Jesus does not discuss the Church at all here, He does discuss these things for the Jews and for Israel.
Jesus will also discuss things that will happen on earth during the time of the Tribulation.
After the Church is suddenly taken out of this world there will be a short period of peace and safety that last for three and one half years.
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
That sudden destruction of course is the last half of the seven years of tribulation called the Great Tribulation.
Matthew 24:21.
It is this period that Jesus tells us the most about because at the end of this period is when He states His return.
Our Text:
Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
1.) THE BEGINNING OF TRIBULATION:
We know that the Mount of Olives, a place that Jesus loved, was just over a half mile from Jerusalem.
Act 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
A Sabbath day's journey was considered 2000 paces, as far as one could walk on the Sabbath Day without breaking the law.
The view of the Temple from this location was spectacular when the Temple was standing. As the disciples were pointing out different buildings and structures which had been built over a fifty year period Jesus told of the coming judgment to Jerusalem and to the Temple.
Remember Jesus had wept as He had entered Jerusalem for this last time. It was this view and the knowledge to what was coming that brought some of those tears.
Herod was a builder that took great pride in trying to design his buildings to out last the pyramids.
Christ said "not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"
We know that of the Temple and it's buildings that prophecy came true. All that can be observed in our day is one wall called the wailing wall which was not part of any building but a retaining wall to hold the soil of the Temple mount. It is a very religious place for the Jews as they "wail" for their place of worship to return to this location.
The prophet Zechariah had described the coming to the Messiah to institute His Kingdom:
Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
The religion of Islam has more faith in this prophecy than most Christians, they created burial grounds in this path of prophecy saying that Jesus would not defile Himself walking through the dead but we can see there will be an earthquake that will move all this out of the way.
This coming was to be preceded by an invasion of Jerusalem:
Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
Jerusalem would be totally destroyed and most of the Jews:
Zec 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
These men, the Apostles, knew these words.
There are but two ages to the Jews.
1.) The now present age in which Israel is waiting on the coming of the Messiah.
2.) The second, is the age that is to come when all the covenants of God will be fulfilled and Israel could have the promised blessings.
The Messiah had to come before the second age could take place!
These disciples then asked their question "When".
These things are not tied to the Rapture of the Church which is a separate event!
The Jews had often been led astray by false prophets and false christ's(messiah's). The first thing they will face in the tribulation period is the Anti-Christ. (The exact opposite of Christ)
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Some say this man has a bow but no arrows. The Strong Dictionary describes this bow as a bow in a child's hair. Either way the meaning is a "total deception".
He will again lead Israel astray but not only Israel but all the governments of the world at that time.
We can see if this Anti-Christ is also the Mahdi of Islam then all the world could be deceived. It is a very real thing that the populations of the world are growing in the Muslim religion at a faster pace than any other.
He will begin his career as a peacemaker sign a covenant with Israel. Remember at the heart of any peace agreement, the Nation of Israel seeks to be recognized as a nation by the Arab world. They have up to our time not done this insisting that Israel be destroyed.
Dan 9:27 [And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease], and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Israel will welcome this man:
Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: [if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive].
*****Our text:
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
We next see what Jeremiah describes as the time of Jacob's trouble:
Jer 30:5 For thus saith the LORD; [We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace].
Jer 30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: [it is even the time of Jacob's trouble]; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
Verse 8 says: "All these are the beginning of sorrows"
These are the birth pains that precede the birth of a new age to come.
1.) While this Anti-Christ is making peace with all nations there will be others claiming to be the Messiah. (Matthew 24:5) Notice this Anti-Christ has not claimed to be anything but a peacemaker.
2.) There will many reports of wars that are hidden by this false messiah.
Matthew 24:6
3.) There will be many natural catastrophes and diseases.
Matthew 24:7
John writes in the Book of Revelation that these things are revealed by the hidden seals under the scroll:
Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Revelation 6:1-8
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
1.) We have seen the first rider was the Anti-Christ bringing peace. (a false messiah)
Matthew24:5
2.) The second rider(still the Anti-Christ) will take away any peace that existed and terrible war will begin.
Matthew 24:6
3.) The third rider(still the Anti-Christ) will bring the results of this war, a worldwide famine.
Matthew 24:7
4.) The fourth rider(still the Anti-Christ) will bring death to any one that is of God. This is not the Church as the Church is already in Heaven.
Matthew 24:8
Jesus Christ reveals that these things are only the beginning!
This fourth rider will usher in the second half of the tribulation period known as The Great Tribulation.
There will be widespread persecution and death. Many will turn to worship this political dictator.
John called him "the beast".
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Though there will be false prophets John tells us a particular one:
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
This prophet works under the eyes of Satan's power.
Christ makes a promise here:
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved"
This means that all who resist the power of the beast will be saved from this persecution. This does not mean there is a way to Heaven beyond Jesus Christ.
No where in the Bible is there another means of "salvation" than that of Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
No one will ever be able to work their way to Heaven!
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
When can it be said to be true that the Gospel has been preached in all the world?
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
At this time it can be said that "all" the world has heard the Gospel. The Gospel is the "good news of Jesus Christ".
This Gospel at this time will announce that the second coming of the true Messiah, The King of Israel, The Savior of this world, is about to come.
We must remember that the 144,000 have already been preaching the message of salvation by "Grace".
Many have been saved through their preaching but are under going persecution at this time!
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
*****Our text:
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
The most surest sign to Israel of the imminent coming of The Lord is listed in verse 15.
Daniel said:
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, [behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things].
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Rev 17:11 [ And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition].
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Dan 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, [a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up].
Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of [the prince that shall come] shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Dan 11:36 And[ the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished]: for that that is determined shall be done.
Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and [the abomination that maketh desolate set up], there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Paul wrote to the Church:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; [so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God].
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time
Jesus said:
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)"
Then to Israel this is the sign of the imminent coming of the Lord.
We of the Church know this as King Jesus coming to fulfill His promises to Israel.
Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and [will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee].
My Pastor has said many times. 'The Jews may not know who the Messiah is but they certainly know who the Messiah is not.
When this Anti-Christ attempts to sit on the throne prepared for the coming Messiah, the Nation of Israel will see the light of Jesus and repent and call on the name of the Lord. That trip from Heaven to Earth will be quick and to the point.
Who is this man that is Satan in the flesh?
We know he will not show his face until the Church is in Heaven:
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way"
The work of the Holy Spirit will change when the Church is raptured out of this world.
Jesus had these words:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, [that he may abide with you for ever]; Even the Spirit of truth; whom [the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him]: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you"
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: [for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you]"
It stands to reason that when Jesus returns then he will have recalled His Spirit, His Comforter to the position He held while Jesus was on this Earth.
1.) He is most likely a Gentile!
Under the original interpretation of Gentile, he could not be a Jew. He came out of the sea which means the nations.
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, [and saw a beast rise up out of the sea], having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
The "sea" most always refers to the nations of this world.
Proof:
Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
2.) He will most likely rise from the Roman Empire!
Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and [the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary]; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
He rules these people which are the Gentiles.
3.) He is the head of the last form of Gentile world dominance!
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
We can see that he is a political leader!
4.) His influence is worldwide!
He rules all nations and is worshipped as god by most.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
5.) His rise to power comes through a peace program for the entire world. This also means that the world is at war or about to go into world war.
Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
6.) He will rule without council of any kind.
Dan 11:36 And [the king shall do according to his will]; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, [and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished]: for that that is determined shall be done.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, [and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand] until a time and times and the dividing of time.
7.) For all those Atheist that do not believe in anything, he will introduce his own religion!
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The World is about ready to receive such a man because he will also be a monetary genius to a world that is going broke:
What does Jesus say for the children of Israel to do when this man sits in on the Throne of the rebuilt Temple?
a.) To flee from the approaching armies of this dictator.
The need will be so great to flee that it will cause great difficulty for many.
b.) There will be great distress, unequaled from anything that has been seen in the world since the beginning of time.
This would include, the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gommorah and all world wars and what we have not yet seen.
c.) There will be some Gentiles that are still friends with Israel.
Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
d.) Jesus Christ will step in just before the world destroys itself!
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened"
This elect is not the Church [but it is that remnant of Israel that will be saved]. Not one of these will be lost ever again.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
God has determined to preserve a remnant in Israel even though Satan will seek to destroy every single descendant of Jacob, of Abraham.
So great will desperation be that many that remain will turn to false Christs and false prophets.
The beast will extend his power at this time:
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
*****Our text:
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
All that want to know the true Messiah when He returns will see Him come this way:
"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be"
Matthew uses the phrase "Son of Man" because there will be no doubt that the true Messiah was the same one that had come already and had been to the Cross.
"Son of Man" It denotes the true humanity of our Lord. He had a true body and a rational soul. He was perfect man.
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Just before the Heavens are rolled back revealing Our Lord's return, there will be darkness that will envelope the Earth.
How dark will it be?
Exo 10:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, [even darkness which may be felt].
This darkness will be erased by the "Glory" that can only belong to Jesus Christ.
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
The Prophet told Israel and the world that this day would come:
Zep 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zep 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Zep 1:16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
Zep 1:17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
This darkness can be felt because the Church is already in Heaven. Earth will not only have physical darkness but also spiritual darkness.
Yes, Christ's return will be bodily and visible and He will return to the same exact place from where He had ascended!
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The Prophet also foretold of this coming day:
Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
As we can see the prophets, Matthew, and the Book of Revelation are still in complete harmony of this dreadful day.
*****Our Text:
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
An event that some think started on May 14, 1948 will then take place:
Moses the Prophet speaks:
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, [and will return and gather thee from all the nations], whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
Deu 30:4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
Deu 30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
Deu 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Deu 30:7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.
Deu 30:8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
*****Our text:
Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
The fig tree has always represented Israel in the Bible:
1.) In Matthew chapter 21 we saw as Jesus told us of an Israel that was producing no fruit.
Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.
In Luke chapter 13 we see that the fig tree will be given a second chance.
Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
In our verse 32 we see that the fig tree been revitalized.
In Luke we see that not only Israel but of all nations.
The fig tree will bud again. When the leaves appear then the fruit should also appear.
We know that through the preaching of the 144,000, which are all Jews sealed of God, that many will be saved from all nations.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
What we know of a fig tree is that as soon as the "branch" becomes tender then also is the fruit found. It is a rapid development.
Israel's blessing of a new life, fruit and glory will quickly be realized in those days which will be very near the end of the "Great Tribulation".
All those that are left on Earth at that time will be witnessing the end of Satan's reign of terror.
We must use that word generation in the right way. Jesus was teaching the 12 disciples at this time but He did not mean that generation.
We know that some of them witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple!
The children of Israel have always been God's chosen people. God has had a purpose for them since the time of Abraham.
We can see from the Book of Luke the word generation means a "race" of people:
Luk 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Notice God only separates by two. The children of the world and the children of the light in this verse.
Once the children of Israel become aware of the "light of Jesus" then all these things will be fulfilled.
To all that would destroy Israel this means they are going to be around till the end. After this Church age and also the tribulation period and they will sit with God in the Millennial Kingdom. This is the guarantee of Jesus with these words.
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away"
Jesus was on this Earth as a servant of God. (God in the flesh) No servant will ever know all the plans of His Master.
In Mark we find these words:
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, [neither the Son], but the Father.
Though no one will ever know the time of Christ return, Jesus gives us these words so we know the signs and know that this day is approaching at a fast pace.
One of the most sure signs was May 14, 1948 when Israel was again recognized as a nation.
From the time they announced the Nation of Israel until the time Israel was recognized by enough nations was a period of less than a day:
Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Isa 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
I don't know about the rest of you but I am going to rejoice with Israel and be glad with her and love her!
*****Our text:
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
God will never leave us hanging. He gives us examples through out the Bible and he gives us an example of what he is saying here.
Noah and his family are a picture in "type" of God's preservation of Israel!
So we are clear we have our example of the "rapture" of the Church in the story of Enoch.
Gen 5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
Gen 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
Gen 5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Noah preached to the people of the Earth for 120 years and not one believed outside his own family!
We could ask why, but we know why because the same thing is happening today. The common interest in this life eating, drinking, marrying and being so absorbed in this life that we forget that the real truth is "that Jesus is returning again to this Earth".
They will loose the best and the everlasting life by choosing what they call the good life here on Earth. What a tragedy!
Verse 24 does not refer to the rapture of the church. What it does show is that there is the beginning of a separation during the tribulation period and some people will perish in judgment and some will enter into the Millennial Kingdom.
Mat 24:39 And knew not until [the flood came, and took them all away]; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
As the children of darkness were swept away by the flood, they will be swept away by the judgment!
*****Our text:
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Christ Jesus used the example of Noah to warn us that mankind will not know the day of His coming. He will now use the picture of the burglar to show that mankind will never know the exact hour when that day arrives.
After the rapture of the church there will be a short time of peace on earth as the world ushers in the rule of the Anti-Christ.
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Then just as suddenly God's judgment will fall:
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
God's word will not pass away after the Church is taken out. Those new converts of the 144,000 will have God's Word to teach them of these coming judgments!
The number of these days will be shortened for the benefit of the suffering nation of Israel.
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened"
Rev 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
The world that knows God on that day will also know that He is near!
EVEN AT THE DOOR!
To our own benefit, we of the Church also do not when the Lord is returning. We have these same signs. Therefore, we must be alert, watchful, and faithful.
We will have tribulation in our lives but we will not go through these seven years of Tribulation! God promises this to the Church.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
HOW GRATEFUL WE SHOULD ALL BE!
*****Our text:
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Mat 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is believed by most Bible scholars that up to the forty-fourth verse in this chapter of Matthew, we have learned that the Lord tells us of things relating to the end of the Jewish Age and the End that is still to come.
What we now see is an emphasis on why the Lord will delay Hie return.
1.) In general. the teaching of Jesus in chapters 24 and 25 relate to the Jews Matthew 24:4-44.
2.) To the professing Church Matthew 24:45-25:30.
3.) To the Gentile nations Matthew 25:31-46.
We know that God divides His Word in three divisions:
Paul wrote:
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, (1.)neither to the Jews, nor (2.) to the Gentiles, nor (3.) to the church of God:
The second division begins here with verse 24:45.
We should not be surprised that Our Lord changed from telling of His return as King and how He relates to the Church. The nation of Israel and the Church are both caught in the time period between the rejection of Christ at Jerusalem and His return to Jerusalem.
If we read from Isaiah:
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is [given: and] the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
We know that the entire Church Age is exists between the word "given" and the word "and" in this verse.
Isaiah also writes:
Isa 61:2 To proclaim [the acceptable year of the LORD], and [the day of vengeance of our God]; to comfort all that mourn;
We know that the entire Church Age takes place between "acceptable year of the LORD" and "the day of vengeance of our God"
Christ now will give a message on faithfulness:
We as believers do not know the day Our Lord will return so we also need to keep a close eye on the signs of His second coming to be King of the Jew. We know that the Church will be taken out before this time.
A disciple is a prepared servant of the Lord! The servant's responsibility is to administer His Master's goods for the benefit of His Master's servants!
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
This requires that the servant be faithful even though the Master is is not present to supervise His servant!
Christ is teaching that at His return, those that call themselves servants will be tested and those that are faithless will be rejected in spite of what they confess.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Christ said to watch the signs, be prepared, and to be faithful until His coming.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
When Christ Jesus comes to take His Church out of this Earth, He "will" sit on His Judgment seat!
Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? [for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ].
Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
He will not judge us for our sins!
Rom 8:1 [There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus], who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
BUT He will judge our "works" done after we are saved!
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
The purpose of spiritual servitude is that servants feed the people:
1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The servant will lead as he is taught the truth:
Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
"But" we must be aware of what is happening as a sign given to the Church by the Apostle Peter:
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5 {For this they willingly are ignorant} of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
We as the Church see this sign fulfilled every day now as our time grows short here on Earth!
The servants task is NOT to be popular but IT IS TO BE OBEDIENT!
All spiritual teachings are found in God's Word:
Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, [which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old].
There will never be another Bible (God's Word) nor any additions to what God has already said!
We already have God's Truth and it is that truth that makes us free!
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
When we look forward to the coming of the Lord to get His Church, it should motivate us to be faithful and loving toward all others including the Lost of this World!
1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.
1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1Jn 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
*****Our Text:
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Does this parable refer to the Jewish remnant or to the Church. Does this parable refer to some superspiritual people and some that are just pew warmers? Many people have different thoughts on these 10 virgins.
1.) If these 10 virgins represent the remnant of the Jews then we would have to question the fact of their going to sleep. There can be no such thing as sleeping in this manner during the tribulation period.
2.) There are those that say these foolish virgins are Christians also. Not only is this teaching confusing but it goes against the teaching of God's "GRACE"! To believe that these foolish virgins lack a higher life from that of the others takes away from the blessed work of the Lord. These foolish virgins can not represent real Christians for the Lord says "I know you not".
Their name was not written in the Lamb's Book Of Life.
3.) If the parable in Matthew 24: 45-51 is making reference to the Church "then" Matthew 25:1-13 is doing the same if for no other reason because of the word "THEN".
That word "then" connects these two passages:
This parable is actually more about the return of the Bridegroom than it is about the bride which is not mentioned.
To be a Christian is to be separate from the world!
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
That word "virgin" gives us this same thought!
Going forth with lamps, to give light and shine for the Lord is the Christian calling:
Jesus said while He was on this planet called Earth that He was the light of the world:
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
But He also said after He was back in Heaven that the believer is now the light of the world:
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
When we see these foolish virgins or self professing to be Christians, they are foolish because they took no oil.
These five foolish virgins only profess to have accepted the Lord and the five wise are true believers!
There are those that say "did not these foolish virgins go forth to meet the Bridegroom?"
They certainly did but we read they had no oil. They had no power to go forth as lights!
They have a form of godliness but not the power of godliness!
To the Church God teaches:
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 [ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof]: from such turn away.
The fact is that five foolish virgins never had the oil and had no means for their lamps to shine.
The "oil" represents the Holy Spirit and His power was lacking in the lives of these foolish virgins. They had separated them selves but they had tried to reach Heaven on their own works as many today are trying to do!
When the work of the Apostles began the New Testament church, they all expected the imminent return of the Lord, but as years went by they gave up the blessed Hope and ceased looking for the Lord. Thus the "sleeping Virgins".
We can see that Jesus reveals these things in His messages to the Church Revelation 2-3.
When is the midnight cry?
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
We are right now living in the very time of the fulfillment of this scripture!
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
These foolish virgins are now in a quest for the oil:
1.) They deck out elaborate buildings.
2.) They search for a version of the Bible that meet their own standards.
3.) Their clergy wear fantastic costumes.
4.) They have a modern taste for different music.
5.) They have to have it their own humanistic way.
6.) They are "NOT" looking to the Lord for the free gift of the "OIL" and still think it can be purchased.
Peter wrote:
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20 [But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money].
The Church is still the Church that has been bought by the Blood of Jesus:
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, [which he hath purchased with his own blood].
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
It is to the New Testament Church, The Bride of Christ that will go through the door of Jesus when He returns! To the Church it is called "The Rapture".
The saddest part of this parable is the outcome. Those with the oil enter in and those without the oil cannot enter.
The door was shut! Soon the Lord will come and all those that are saved by His amazing "grace" will be called up into Heaven but all others that know Him but will not surrender themselves to Him will be shut out from Heaven with no more opportunities!
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
*****Our text:
Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
As the last parable speaks of those that are true believers and some that just profess to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior, so does this one.
This parable is not identical with the one in the Gospel of Luke. This parable following that of the ten virgins, shows the same time period in which He is not present and is soon to return.
We can see it is man that is responsible for the gifts God gives to us. If the Lord calls us out to be in His will He will provide the means to do so.
If we believe this man that was given one talent is a Christian then we take away God's act of "Grace".
When it is taught that when we do not use our talents we will be cast into outer darkness then we reject the saving power of the Lord. According to that teaching final salvation would not depend on the work that Jesus Christ did on the cross but on the faithfulness of the believer and of the use of what he has received.
We cannot save ourselves and we cannot keep ourselves saved and there is no amount of work that can change that fact.
There is no doubt God will provide true believers with His blessings:
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think], according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
We should also remember the fruits of the Spirit given to every saved person:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This man that received the one talent does not represent a true believer! Listen to what he says.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25 [And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth]: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His own words tells us of his true condition.
1.) He had no confidence.
2.) He had no love.
3.) He did not trust on the Lord.
4.) He even accuses the Lord of being a hard Master.
5.) He did not use his talent for the Lord at all.
6.) He had refused the Lord.
We must not be confused into thinking that these talents represent earthly possessions. God gives talents to each one of us according to our own abilities. There is no true servant of Christ who is left without a gift.
That that has the gift of prayer is just as important to God as that one that is called to preach, or that one that is called to teach, or even to that one that is called to give.
We can also see that God's gifts can be enlarged or increased. A prayer warrior would become more effective and a preacher would become more powerful.
We can also see that each servant will receive a reward for making use of the things God gives us. We can see that the reward was treated on equal terms:
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
So we can see it is not a question of how much we receive of the Lord but how we use what He has given us!
This unfaithful servant never knew these things because he had never trusted the lord.
James writes:
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
To be saved is to be a slave of our Lord. he bought and paid for us with His Blood. He owns us.
To reject the things of the Lord and bury what we know to be the truth can never bring any reward and that servant will be cast into a sinner's Hell.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
*****Our text:
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
As we now reach our third division of what Christ Jesus had to say, we come the "judgment on Gentiles".
The nations of this earth will be gathered together before Christ at the end of the tribulation period. God will judge the individuals of each nation.
THIS IS NOT THE WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT!
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The White Throne Judgment will not take place until the end of the Millennial Kingdom!
This passage of scripture also does not teach a salvation by works.
1.) The Old Testament saints were saved by faith:
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
2.) The New Testament saints are saved by faith:
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The gospel of "do good" is not in the Bible and nobody in the history of the world will ever be saved by good works.
It is right for the Christian to do good!
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
But these things will not get you saved!
Remember it is Christ that rightly divided these passages for us.
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
We have the sheep the goats and the brethren:
It seems likely that the "brethren" are the believing Jews that heard the message of the 144,000.
Since they have refused to receive the mark of the beast:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
They will not be able to buy or sell and could not survive if not for some of these Gentiles who have trusted Christ by this same preaching of the 144,000 who have cared for Israel which are Christ 'blood' brethren. Christ Jesus will be the sitting King of Israel at this time and forever.
These sheep had not even realized that what they had done would be so recognized by Our Lord. They had risked sacrificial love to save God's people:
Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Those goats were judged because they had not trusted in Jesus but had been given the Mark of the beast.
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Those "sheep" are the ones that will live through the Millennial Kingdom with the Nation of Israel as God fulfills His promises for 1000 years.
We can see that the goats are sentenced to everlasting fire, [but it was by the choice they had made] because Our Lord inserts that this everlasting fire was not prepared for them but for the devil and his angels. God never prepared Hell for people.
IT'S THE CHOICES WE MAKE WHILE WE ARE LIVING OR THE LACK OF MAKING A CHOICE THAT WILL SEND US THERE!
The sheep will be ushered into the Kingdom to share the glory of Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Jesus Christ will now sit and rule on David's throne in Jerusalem!
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
This reign will be for 1000 years!
The Old Testament promises to the Jews will be fulfilled!
God is going to judge this world!
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Remember the Church is not looking for signs. The Church is just waiting on the "Blessed Hope".
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
It is the Jew that require a sign and they are looking for the signs now of the coming Messiah and the King of Glory.
The Prince of Peace:
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isa 9:8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Let's Pray!
Text: Matthew Chapters 24, 25
As we move forward in our study of the Book of Matthew we come to some of most important and most enlightening words of Our Lord. These words can be called prophecy because they tell us the future. Jesus tells us of the signs and days before He returns to set up the Kingdom that these men thought would happen while Jesus was on this earth the first time.
These are not signs for the Church, the Bride of Christ. The Rapture of the Church will take place before the Millennial reign of Christ. The full truth about the Rapture of the Church had not been revealed at this time for it was still a mystery to these soon to be Apostles.
Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 [How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery]; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
The questions asked by these disciples of Jesus were concerning the Jews and the fulfilling of the Old Testament prophesies.
When Peter wrote later in life he stated that The New Testament scriptures were a more sure word of prophecy than was already known.
2Pe 1:19 [We have also a more sure word of prophecy]; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
By this Peter meant we now also had the words of Jesus:
Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 [Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son], whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Peter also wrote that there is to be no self interpretation of Bible prophecy!
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
When we study this Olivet Discourse given to us in these chapters of Matthew, in order for the interpretation to be an accurate there must be harmony between Old Testament prophecy, these chapters in Matthew and the Book of Revelation. The Bible itself is always it's own best commentary.
These words of Jesus grew out of questions asked by His disciples.
1.) They wanted to know when the Temple would be destroyed?
Matthew did not record this answer to this question but Luke did:
Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
This of course happened in 70 AD at the hands of Titus!
2.) They next wanted to know would there be any signs before Jesus would return?
Matthew writes of these.
3.) They wanted to know would there be signs of the end of the age we still live in.
Matthew writes of these.
What we will see is that Jesus does not discuss the Church at all here, He does discuss these things for the Jews and for Israel.
Jesus will also discuss things that will happen on earth during the time of the Tribulation.
After the Church is suddenly taken out of this world there will be a short period of peace and safety that last for three and one half years.
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
That sudden destruction of course is the last half of the seven years of tribulation called the Great Tribulation.
Matthew 24:21.
It is this period that Jesus tells us the most about because at the end of this period is when He states His return.
Our Text:
Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
1.) THE BEGINNING OF TRIBULATION:
We know that the Mount of Olives, a place that Jesus loved, was just over a half mile from Jerusalem.
Act 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
A Sabbath day's journey was considered 2000 paces, as far as one could walk on the Sabbath Day without breaking the law.
The view of the Temple from this location was spectacular when the Temple was standing. As the disciples were pointing out different buildings and structures which had been built over a fifty year period Jesus told of the coming judgment to Jerusalem and to the Temple.
Remember Jesus had wept as He had entered Jerusalem for this last time. It was this view and the knowledge to what was coming that brought some of those tears.
Herod was a builder that took great pride in trying to design his buildings to out last the pyramids.
Christ said "not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"
We know that of the Temple and it's buildings that prophecy came true. All that can be observed in our day is one wall called the wailing wall which was not part of any building but a retaining wall to hold the soil of the Temple mount. It is a very religious place for the Jews as they "wail" for their place of worship to return to this location.
The prophet Zechariah had described the coming to the Messiah to institute His Kingdom:
Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
The religion of Islam has more faith in this prophecy than most Christians, they created burial grounds in this path of prophecy saying that Jesus would not defile Himself walking through the dead but we can see there will be an earthquake that will move all this out of the way.
This coming was to be preceded by an invasion of Jerusalem:
Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
Jerusalem would be totally destroyed and most of the Jews:
Zec 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
These men, the Apostles, knew these words.
There are but two ages to the Jews.
1.) The now present age in which Israel is waiting on the coming of the Messiah.
2.) The second, is the age that is to come when all the covenants of God will be fulfilled and Israel could have the promised blessings.
The Messiah had to come before the second age could take place!
These disciples then asked their question "When".
These things are not tied to the Rapture of the Church which is a separate event!
The Jews had often been led astray by false prophets and false christ's(messiah's). The first thing they will face in the tribulation period is the Anti-Christ. (The exact opposite of Christ)
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Some say this man has a bow but no arrows. The Strong Dictionary describes this bow as a bow in a child's hair. Either way the meaning is a "total deception".
He will again lead Israel astray but not only Israel but all the governments of the world at that time.
We can see if this Anti-Christ is also the Mahdi of Islam then all the world could be deceived. It is a very real thing that the populations of the world are growing in the Muslim religion at a faster pace than any other.
He will begin his career as a peacemaker sign a covenant with Israel. Remember at the heart of any peace agreement, the Nation of Israel seeks to be recognized as a nation by the Arab world. They have up to our time not done this insisting that Israel be destroyed.
Dan 9:27 [And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease], and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Israel will welcome this man:
Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: [if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive].
*****Our text:
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
We next see what Jeremiah describes as the time of Jacob's trouble:
Jer 30:5 For thus saith the LORD; [We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace].
Jer 30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: [it is even the time of Jacob's trouble]; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
Verse 8 says: "All these are the beginning of sorrows"
These are the birth pains that precede the birth of a new age to come.
1.) While this Anti-Christ is making peace with all nations there will be others claiming to be the Messiah. (Matthew 24:5) Notice this Anti-Christ has not claimed to be anything but a peacemaker.
2.) There will many reports of wars that are hidden by this false messiah.
Matthew 24:6
3.) There will be many natural catastrophes and diseases.
Matthew 24:7
John writes in the Book of Revelation that these things are revealed by the hidden seals under the scroll:
Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Revelation 6:1-8
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
1.) We have seen the first rider was the Anti-Christ bringing peace. (a false messiah)
Matthew24:5
2.) The second rider(still the Anti-Christ) will take away any peace that existed and terrible war will begin.
Matthew 24:6
3.) The third rider(still the Anti-Christ) will bring the results of this war, a worldwide famine.
Matthew 24:7
4.) The fourth rider(still the Anti-Christ) will bring death to any one that is of God. This is not the Church as the Church is already in Heaven.
Matthew 24:8
Jesus Christ reveals that these things are only the beginning!
This fourth rider will usher in the second half of the tribulation period known as The Great Tribulation.
There will be widespread persecution and death. Many will turn to worship this political dictator.
John called him "the beast".
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Though there will be false prophets John tells us a particular one:
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
This prophet works under the eyes of Satan's power.
Christ makes a promise here:
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved"
This means that all who resist the power of the beast will be saved from this persecution. This does not mean there is a way to Heaven beyond Jesus Christ.
No where in the Bible is there another means of "salvation" than that of Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
No one will ever be able to work their way to Heaven!
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
When can it be said to be true that the Gospel has been preached in all the world?
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
At this time it can be said that "all" the world has heard the Gospel. The Gospel is the "good news of Jesus Christ".
This Gospel at this time will announce that the second coming of the true Messiah, The King of Israel, The Savior of this world, is about to come.
We must remember that the 144,000 have already been preaching the message of salvation by "Grace".
Many have been saved through their preaching but are under going persecution at this time!
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
*****Our text:
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
The most surest sign to Israel of the imminent coming of The Lord is listed in verse 15.
Daniel said:
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, [behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things].
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Rev 17:11 [ And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition].
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Dan 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, [a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up].
Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of [the prince that shall come] shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Dan 11:36 And[ the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished]: for that that is determined shall be done.
Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and [the abomination that maketh desolate set up], there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Paul wrote to the Church:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; [so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God].
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time
Jesus said:
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)"
Then to Israel this is the sign of the imminent coming of the Lord.
We of the Church know this as King Jesus coming to fulfill His promises to Israel.
Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and [will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee].
My Pastor has said many times. 'The Jews may not know who the Messiah is but they certainly know who the Messiah is not.
When this Anti-Christ attempts to sit on the throne prepared for the coming Messiah, the Nation of Israel will see the light of Jesus and repent and call on the name of the Lord. That trip from Heaven to Earth will be quick and to the point.
Who is this man that is Satan in the flesh?
We know he will not show his face until the Church is in Heaven:
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way"
The work of the Holy Spirit will change when the Church is raptured out of this world.
Jesus had these words:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, [that he may abide with you for ever]; Even the Spirit of truth; whom [the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him]: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you"
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: [for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you]"
It stands to reason that when Jesus returns then he will have recalled His Spirit, His Comforter to the position He held while Jesus was on this Earth.
1.) He is most likely a Gentile!
Under the original interpretation of Gentile, he could not be a Jew. He came out of the sea which means the nations.
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, [and saw a beast rise up out of the sea], having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
The "sea" most always refers to the nations of this world.
Proof:
Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
2.) He will most likely rise from the Roman Empire!
Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and [the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary]; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
He rules these people which are the Gentiles.
3.) He is the head of the last form of Gentile world dominance!
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
We can see that he is a political leader!
4.) His influence is worldwide!
He rules all nations and is worshipped as god by most.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
5.) His rise to power comes through a peace program for the entire world. This also means that the world is at war or about to go into world war.
Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
6.) He will rule without council of any kind.
Dan 11:36 And [the king shall do according to his will]; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, [and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished]: for that that is determined shall be done.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, [and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand] until a time and times and the dividing of time.
7.) For all those Atheist that do not believe in anything, he will introduce his own religion!
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The World is about ready to receive such a man because he will also be a monetary genius to a world that is going broke:
What does Jesus say for the children of Israel to do when this man sits in on the Throne of the rebuilt Temple?
a.) To flee from the approaching armies of this dictator.
The need will be so great to flee that it will cause great difficulty for many.
b.) There will be great distress, unequaled from anything that has been seen in the world since the beginning of time.
This would include, the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gommorah and all world wars and what we have not yet seen.
c.) There will be some Gentiles that are still friends with Israel.
Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
d.) Jesus Christ will step in just before the world destroys itself!
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened"
This elect is not the Church [but it is that remnant of Israel that will be saved]. Not one of these will be lost ever again.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
God has determined to preserve a remnant in Israel even though Satan will seek to destroy every single descendant of Jacob, of Abraham.
So great will desperation be that many that remain will turn to false Christs and false prophets.
The beast will extend his power at this time:
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
*****Our text:
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
All that want to know the true Messiah when He returns will see Him come this way:
"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be"
Matthew uses the phrase "Son of Man" because there will be no doubt that the true Messiah was the same one that had come already and had been to the Cross.
"Son of Man" It denotes the true humanity of our Lord. He had a true body and a rational soul. He was perfect man.
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Just before the Heavens are rolled back revealing Our Lord's return, there will be darkness that will envelope the Earth.
How dark will it be?
Exo 10:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, [even darkness which may be felt].
This darkness will be erased by the "Glory" that can only belong to Jesus Christ.
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
The Prophet told Israel and the world that this day would come:
Zep 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zep 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Zep 1:16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
Zep 1:17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
This darkness can be felt because the Church is already in Heaven. Earth will not only have physical darkness but also spiritual darkness.
Yes, Christ's return will be bodily and visible and He will return to the same exact place from where He had ascended!
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The Prophet also foretold of this coming day:
Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
As we can see the prophets, Matthew, and the Book of Revelation are still in complete harmony of this dreadful day.
*****Our Text:
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
An event that some think started on May 14, 1948 will then take place:
Moses the Prophet speaks:
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, [and will return and gather thee from all the nations], whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
Deu 30:4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
Deu 30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
Deu 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Deu 30:7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.
Deu 30:8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
*****Our text:
Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
The fig tree has always represented Israel in the Bible:
1.) In Matthew chapter 21 we saw as Jesus told us of an Israel that was producing no fruit.
Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.
In Luke chapter 13 we see that the fig tree will be given a second chance.
Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
In our verse 32 we see that the fig tree been revitalized.
In Luke we see that not only Israel but of all nations.
The fig tree will bud again. When the leaves appear then the fruit should also appear.
We know that through the preaching of the 144,000, which are all Jews sealed of God, that many will be saved from all nations.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
What we know of a fig tree is that as soon as the "branch" becomes tender then also is the fruit found. It is a rapid development.
Israel's blessing of a new life, fruit and glory will quickly be realized in those days which will be very near the end of the "Great Tribulation".
All those that are left on Earth at that time will be witnessing the end of Satan's reign of terror.
We must use that word generation in the right way. Jesus was teaching the 12 disciples at this time but He did not mean that generation.
We know that some of them witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple!
The children of Israel have always been God's chosen people. God has had a purpose for them since the time of Abraham.
We can see from the Book of Luke the word generation means a "race" of people:
Luk 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Notice God only separates by two. The children of the world and the children of the light in this verse.
Once the children of Israel become aware of the "light of Jesus" then all these things will be fulfilled.
To all that would destroy Israel this means they are going to be around till the end. After this Church age and also the tribulation period and they will sit with God in the Millennial Kingdom. This is the guarantee of Jesus with these words.
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away"
Jesus was on this Earth as a servant of God. (God in the flesh) No servant will ever know all the plans of His Master.
In Mark we find these words:
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, [neither the Son], but the Father.
Though no one will ever know the time of Christ return, Jesus gives us these words so we know the signs and know that this day is approaching at a fast pace.
One of the most sure signs was May 14, 1948 when Israel was again recognized as a nation.
From the time they announced the Nation of Israel until the time Israel was recognized by enough nations was a period of less than a day:
Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Isa 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
I don't know about the rest of you but I am going to rejoice with Israel and be glad with her and love her!
*****Our text:
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
God will never leave us hanging. He gives us examples through out the Bible and he gives us an example of what he is saying here.
Noah and his family are a picture in "type" of God's preservation of Israel!
So we are clear we have our example of the "rapture" of the Church in the story of Enoch.
Gen 5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
Gen 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
Gen 5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Noah preached to the people of the Earth for 120 years and not one believed outside his own family!
We could ask why, but we know why because the same thing is happening today. The common interest in this life eating, drinking, marrying and being so absorbed in this life that we forget that the real truth is "that Jesus is returning again to this Earth".
They will loose the best and the everlasting life by choosing what they call the good life here on Earth. What a tragedy!
Verse 24 does not refer to the rapture of the church. What it does show is that there is the beginning of a separation during the tribulation period and some people will perish in judgment and some will enter into the Millennial Kingdom.
Mat 24:39 And knew not until [the flood came, and took them all away]; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
As the children of darkness were swept away by the flood, they will be swept away by the judgment!
*****Our text:
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Christ Jesus used the example of Noah to warn us that mankind will not know the day of His coming. He will now use the picture of the burglar to show that mankind will never know the exact hour when that day arrives.
After the rapture of the church there will be a short time of peace on earth as the world ushers in the rule of the Anti-Christ.
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Then just as suddenly God's judgment will fall:
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
God's word will not pass away after the Church is taken out. Those new converts of the 144,000 will have God's Word to teach them of these coming judgments!
The number of these days will be shortened for the benefit of the suffering nation of Israel.
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened"
Rev 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
The world that knows God on that day will also know that He is near!
EVEN AT THE DOOR!
To our own benefit, we of the Church also do not when the Lord is returning. We have these same signs. Therefore, we must be alert, watchful, and faithful.
We will have tribulation in our lives but we will not go through these seven years of Tribulation! God promises this to the Church.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
HOW GRATEFUL WE SHOULD ALL BE!
*****Our text:
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Mat 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is believed by most Bible scholars that up to the forty-fourth verse in this chapter of Matthew, we have learned that the Lord tells us of things relating to the end of the Jewish Age and the End that is still to come.
What we now see is an emphasis on why the Lord will delay Hie return.
1.) In general. the teaching of Jesus in chapters 24 and 25 relate to the Jews Matthew 24:4-44.
2.) To the professing Church Matthew 24:45-25:30.
3.) To the Gentile nations Matthew 25:31-46.
We know that God divides His Word in three divisions:
Paul wrote:
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, (1.)neither to the Jews, nor (2.) to the Gentiles, nor (3.) to the church of God:
The second division begins here with verse 24:45.
We should not be surprised that Our Lord changed from telling of His return as King and how He relates to the Church. The nation of Israel and the Church are both caught in the time period between the rejection of Christ at Jerusalem and His return to Jerusalem.
If we read from Isaiah:
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is [given: and] the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
We know that the entire Church Age is exists between the word "given" and the word "and" in this verse.
Isaiah also writes:
Isa 61:2 To proclaim [the acceptable year of the LORD], and [the day of vengeance of our God]; to comfort all that mourn;
We know that the entire Church Age takes place between "acceptable year of the LORD" and "the day of vengeance of our God"
Christ now will give a message on faithfulness:
We as believers do not know the day Our Lord will return so we also need to keep a close eye on the signs of His second coming to be King of the Jew. We know that the Church will be taken out before this time.
A disciple is a prepared servant of the Lord! The servant's responsibility is to administer His Master's goods for the benefit of His Master's servants!
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
This requires that the servant be faithful even though the Master is is not present to supervise His servant!
Christ is teaching that at His return, those that call themselves servants will be tested and those that are faithless will be rejected in spite of what they confess.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Christ said to watch the signs, be prepared, and to be faithful until His coming.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
When Christ Jesus comes to take His Church out of this Earth, He "will" sit on His Judgment seat!
Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? [for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ].
Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
He will not judge us for our sins!
Rom 8:1 [There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus], who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
BUT He will judge our "works" done after we are saved!
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
The purpose of spiritual servitude is that servants feed the people:
1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The servant will lead as he is taught the truth:
Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
"But" we must be aware of what is happening as a sign given to the Church by the Apostle Peter:
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5 {For this they willingly are ignorant} of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
We as the Church see this sign fulfilled every day now as our time grows short here on Earth!
The servants task is NOT to be popular but IT IS TO BE OBEDIENT!
All spiritual teachings are found in God's Word:
Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, [which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old].
There will never be another Bible (God's Word) nor any additions to what God has already said!
We already have God's Truth and it is that truth that makes us free!
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
When we look forward to the coming of the Lord to get His Church, it should motivate us to be faithful and loving toward all others including the Lost of this World!
1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.
1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1Jn 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
*****Our Text:
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Does this parable refer to the Jewish remnant or to the Church. Does this parable refer to some superspiritual people and some that are just pew warmers? Many people have different thoughts on these 10 virgins.
1.) If these 10 virgins represent the remnant of the Jews then we would have to question the fact of their going to sleep. There can be no such thing as sleeping in this manner during the tribulation period.
2.) There are those that say these foolish virgins are Christians also. Not only is this teaching confusing but it goes against the teaching of God's "GRACE"! To believe that these foolish virgins lack a higher life from that of the others takes away from the blessed work of the Lord. These foolish virgins can not represent real Christians for the Lord says "I know you not".
Their name was not written in the Lamb's Book Of Life.
3.) If the parable in Matthew 24: 45-51 is making reference to the Church "then" Matthew 25:1-13 is doing the same if for no other reason because of the word "THEN".
That word "then" connects these two passages:
This parable is actually more about the return of the Bridegroom than it is about the bride which is not mentioned.
To be a Christian is to be separate from the world!
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
That word "virgin" gives us this same thought!
Going forth with lamps, to give light and shine for the Lord is the Christian calling:
Jesus said while He was on this planet called Earth that He was the light of the world:
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
But He also said after He was back in Heaven that the believer is now the light of the world:
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
When we see these foolish virgins or self professing to be Christians, they are foolish because they took no oil.
These five foolish virgins only profess to have accepted the Lord and the five wise are true believers!
There are those that say "did not these foolish virgins go forth to meet the Bridegroom?"
They certainly did but we read they had no oil. They had no power to go forth as lights!
They have a form of godliness but not the power of godliness!
To the Church God teaches:
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 [ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof]: from such turn away.
The fact is that five foolish virgins never had the oil and had no means for their lamps to shine.
The "oil" represents the Holy Spirit and His power was lacking in the lives of these foolish virgins. They had separated them selves but they had tried to reach Heaven on their own works as many today are trying to do!
When the work of the Apostles began the New Testament church, they all expected the imminent return of the Lord, but as years went by they gave up the blessed Hope and ceased looking for the Lord. Thus the "sleeping Virgins".
We can see that Jesus reveals these things in His messages to the Church Revelation 2-3.
When is the midnight cry?
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
We are right now living in the very time of the fulfillment of this scripture!
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
These foolish virgins are now in a quest for the oil:
1.) They deck out elaborate buildings.
2.) They search for a version of the Bible that meet their own standards.
3.) Their clergy wear fantastic costumes.
4.) They have a modern taste for different music.
5.) They have to have it their own humanistic way.
6.) They are "NOT" looking to the Lord for the free gift of the "OIL" and still think it can be purchased.
Peter wrote:
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20 [But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money].
The Church is still the Church that has been bought by the Blood of Jesus:
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, [which he hath purchased with his own blood].
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
It is to the New Testament Church, The Bride of Christ that will go through the door of Jesus when He returns! To the Church it is called "The Rapture".
The saddest part of this parable is the outcome. Those with the oil enter in and those without the oil cannot enter.
The door was shut! Soon the Lord will come and all those that are saved by His amazing "grace" will be called up into Heaven but all others that know Him but will not surrender themselves to Him will be shut out from Heaven with no more opportunities!
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
*****Our text:
Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
As the last parable speaks of those that are true believers and some that just profess to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior, so does this one.
This parable is not identical with the one in the Gospel of Luke. This parable following that of the ten virgins, shows the same time period in which He is not present and is soon to return.
We can see it is man that is responsible for the gifts God gives to us. If the Lord calls us out to be in His will He will provide the means to do so.
If we believe this man that was given one talent is a Christian then we take away God's act of "Grace".
When it is taught that when we do not use our talents we will be cast into outer darkness then we reject the saving power of the Lord. According to that teaching final salvation would not depend on the work that Jesus Christ did on the cross but on the faithfulness of the believer and of the use of what he has received.
We cannot save ourselves and we cannot keep ourselves saved and there is no amount of work that can change that fact.
There is no doubt God will provide true believers with His blessings:
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think], according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
We should also remember the fruits of the Spirit given to every saved person:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This man that received the one talent does not represent a true believer! Listen to what he says.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25 [And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth]: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His own words tells us of his true condition.
1.) He had no confidence.
2.) He had no love.
3.) He did not trust on the Lord.
4.) He even accuses the Lord of being a hard Master.
5.) He did not use his talent for the Lord at all.
6.) He had refused the Lord.
We must not be confused into thinking that these talents represent earthly possessions. God gives talents to each one of us according to our own abilities. There is no true servant of Christ who is left without a gift.
That that has the gift of prayer is just as important to God as that one that is called to preach, or that one that is called to teach, or even to that one that is called to give.
We can also see that God's gifts can be enlarged or increased. A prayer warrior would become more effective and a preacher would become more powerful.
We can also see that each servant will receive a reward for making use of the things God gives us. We can see that the reward was treated on equal terms:
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
So we can see it is not a question of how much we receive of the Lord but how we use what He has given us!
This unfaithful servant never knew these things because he had never trusted the lord.
James writes:
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
To be saved is to be a slave of our Lord. he bought and paid for us with His Blood. He owns us.
To reject the things of the Lord and bury what we know to be the truth can never bring any reward and that servant will be cast into a sinner's Hell.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
*****Our text:
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
As we now reach our third division of what Christ Jesus had to say, we come the "judgment on Gentiles".
The nations of this earth will be gathered together before Christ at the end of the tribulation period. God will judge the individuals of each nation.
THIS IS NOT THE WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT!
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The White Throne Judgment will not take place until the end of the Millennial Kingdom!
This passage of scripture also does not teach a salvation by works.
1.) The Old Testament saints were saved by faith:
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
2.) The New Testament saints are saved by faith:
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The gospel of "do good" is not in the Bible and nobody in the history of the world will ever be saved by good works.
It is right for the Christian to do good!
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
But these things will not get you saved!
Remember it is Christ that rightly divided these passages for us.
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
We have the sheep the goats and the brethren:
It seems likely that the "brethren" are the believing Jews that heard the message of the 144,000.
Since they have refused to receive the mark of the beast:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
They will not be able to buy or sell and could not survive if not for some of these Gentiles who have trusted Christ by this same preaching of the 144,000 who have cared for Israel which are Christ 'blood' brethren. Christ Jesus will be the sitting King of Israel at this time and forever.
These sheep had not even realized that what they had done would be so recognized by Our Lord. They had risked sacrificial love to save God's people:
Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Those goats were judged because they had not trusted in Jesus but had been given the Mark of the beast.
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Those "sheep" are the ones that will live through the Millennial Kingdom with the Nation of Israel as God fulfills His promises for 1000 years.
We can see that the goats are sentenced to everlasting fire, [but it was by the choice they had made] because Our Lord inserts that this everlasting fire was not prepared for them but for the devil and his angels. God never prepared Hell for people.
IT'S THE CHOICES WE MAKE WHILE WE ARE LIVING OR THE LACK OF MAKING A CHOICE THAT WILL SEND US THERE!
The sheep will be ushered into the Kingdom to share the glory of Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Jesus Christ will now sit and rule on David's throne in Jerusalem!
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
This reign will be for 1000 years!
The Old Testament promises to the Jews will be fulfilled!
God is going to judge this world!
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Remember the Church is not looking for signs. The Church is just waiting on the "Blessed Hope".
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
It is the Jew that require a sign and they are looking for the signs now of the coming Messiah and the King of Glory.
The Prince of Peace:
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isa 9:8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Let's Pray!
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