Shema Living During End Times (#11)
Watch out! Stay Alert! For you do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33)
With a transition beginning in Matthew 24:15, in Jesus’ detailed prophesy of the events and how His followers need to prepare for these events before His second coming I sensed it would be helpful to take a moment and review what Jesus has prophesied to this point. Let us bullet list our Lord’s word allowing the Holy Spirit to gel their reality in our hearts and minds.
1. As Jesus and the disciples leave the temple after another day of teaching and disagreement with the religious leaders, the disciples are admiring the beautiful temple buildings. (v. 1)
2. Jesus, in startling fashion, tells of the temple’s future demise. Such a significant demolition will be experienced that “not one stone will be left upon another.” (v. 2)
3. Later, in a more private setting at the Mt. of Olives, a few disciples (see Mark 13:3) wanted to inquire of Jesus and gather more information /understanding and asked their Lord two questions: “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (v. 3)
4. The first question about the Temple was fulfilled when the Romans completely obliterated the Jewish Temple in AD 70. The second question regarding Jesus’ second advent is still to be fulfilled. Though two separate events at two very different times, both are characterized by similar events that led and will lead up to their occurrences that Jesus addresses in the chapter.
5. Initially, Jesus provides what He will call in verse 8 “This is the beginning of sorrows.” or what some Bible translations call “birth pains.”
6. These beginning end time indicators include (1) Jesus adamant call to be alert as false prophets will come (vv. 4-5); (2) The reality of war and the rumor of them will exist (v. 6); (3) Severe famine will develop and spread (v. 7); and (4) The natural disasters of earthquakes will abound. (v. 7). These four “birth pains” indicators are also reflected in Jesus’ revelation to John in Revelation 6 as the first four seals are opened and the four horses and their riders arrive in successive order.
7. These “beginning of sorrows” then lead into a transition of persecution that signals the time of the Great Tribulation is coming. These events are presented by Jesus in Matthew 24:9-14. This persecution correlates to the fifth seal that is opened in Revelation 6:9-11.
8. The initial warning of this shift is persecution. Believers in Christ will be handed over to those in authority. This will kindle in hatred and many followers of Christ killed. (v. 9)
9. Again, deception will be proliferate and expose the hearts of many who fall away to embrace the deception. These persons will be those who believed they were true followers of Christ, but were in actuality not. Their apostasy will digress further to work alongside with the deception of the time as they will betray those who are genuine followers and hatred will dominant relationships. (v. 10)
10. The false believer will go together in the deception with the myriads of false prophets who announce they are the Christ. (v. 11) This deception, falling away, betrayal, and hatred will lead to great wickedness and the elimination of love among people. (v. 12)
11. Yet, at the very same time, there will be, so to speak, a remnant who will endure. They have embraced watching and praying and their salvation will shine as they persevere through persecution. (v. 1
12. As part of this enduring, faithful remnant the gospel, at the same time of all this deception and chaos, will continue to be proclaimed to be spoken to all tribes and people groups. (v. 14)
13. It will be in this moment of gospel purposed accomplished as Jesus stated in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus announces, “then the end will come.” Jesus’ use of the word “end” brings us full circle to the disciples’ question in verse 3 about the sign of Jesus’ coming and “the end of the age.”
What is the Spirit saying as you read and re-read slowly the summary list of Matthew 24:1-14? What does “watching and praying” need to include as we personally take-in on Jesus’ strong emphasis on deception and the severe evil that will be allowed through both natural disaster, war, and those who fall away? How does “watching and praying” need to embrace teaching our children and grandchildren about preparing for the end times?
Our Father, You have always worked hard and patiently to teach, call, and warn Your people. Whether it was the Old Testament prophets who spoke to call Your people to return to You or it is Christ educating His disciples in the coming of the end so, in whatever generation You come, the repeated urgent imperative to not be caught off guard has been given. We are without excuse. May we take heed and in godly wisdom learn and live well to trust and keep Your prophetic message. In Jesus’ name, amen.
