Signs of the Times

THE DISCIPLES ASK JESUS FOR SIGNS (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21)

Matthew 24:1-3 (NIV) – Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things? ” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

NOTICE 3 QUESTIONS:
1. When will the destruction of the temple occur?
2. What are the signs of your return?
3. What are the signs of the end of the age?
• Jesus answers all of these questions in a single expansive response – mystery
• Jesus prophecy of the temple did come true 40 years later (a generation in Jewish time).

WHAT CAN WE GLEAN FROM JESUS’ REPLY IN THESE PASSAGES? (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21)

There will be birth pangs and signs before the end:
• Many will claim to be the Messiah and many will be deceived
• Wars, famine, earthquakes, and pestilence
• Believers will witness of Jesus and be persecuted and killed
• There will be betrayals amongst family and friends and many will turn away from the faith
• There will be an increase in wickedness
• Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies and trampled on by the Gentiles*
• The Gospel will be preached to the whole world
• An ‘abomination of desolation’ and great unequaled distress like never before or again
• False prophets and false messiahs will perform great signs and wonders
• The sun will darken, the moon won’t shine the stars will fall and the heavens will shake
• Jesus will appear coming on the clouds, the trumpet will sound and the angles will gather the elect
• The day and the hour no one knows … so be ready!

SIGNS FROM OTHER SCRIPTURES (1 Thess. 5:2-3, 2 Thess. 2:1-10, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Tim. 3:1-5)
• Jesus’ return will be like a thief in the night
• Won’t happen until rebellion and the man of lawlessness has been revealed claiming to be God
• People will be lovers of themselves and money, without love and loving pleasure over God
• There will be scoffers and doubters

CONCLUSION & APPLICATION
• Some interpretations believe these things have already occurred and or are currently occurring.
• Some interpretations believe all that needs to happen has happened and Jesus can return at any moment.
• Some interpretations believe there are things that still need to occur before Jesus can return.
• Regardless of the perspective (unless unbiblical) this is not a salvation issue
• In any case, Jesus clearly tells us to be ready!
o Get ready, not right. Get ready doesn’t mean get supplies.
 Ready for what? Be ready for persecution.
o Persecution is opposition towards the things of God, not towards the things of this world.
 Persecution is not the opposition of your prosperity
 Persecution is not the opposition of your preferences
 Persecution is not the opposition of your conveniences
 Persecution is the opposition of the truths and purposes of God
• Being alert and ready is knowing the truths and purposes of God and living them out in your life, even to and through the point of persecution.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Matthew 16:3; Matthew 24:1-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 3:10-15
Icebreaker: What is a dream get-away or vacation for you? How would you get ready for it?
Sermon Reflection – What passage or thought from the sermon was important to you?
Questions:
1. Read Matthew 24:1-14 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. What are Jesus ad Paul telling us about the signs of the times?
2. What stands out to you about the signs of the times from these passages and from the sermon you heard? What might be some reasons why people don’t recognize the signs of the times in our day?
3. How are you responding to the changing culture which reflects some of the signs?
4. Read 2 Timothy 1:7 & Matthew 24:36-43. What do these passages tell us about our part in what God is doing?
5. How do you keep watch and not walk in fear but with a sound mind? What can distract you from being watchful for the return of Jesus or lead to fear or frustration?
6. What does ‘be ready’ – including being prepared for increased challenges and persecution – look like for you, your family (You might read 2 Tim. 3:10-17 or 1 Peter 4:7-16). How does ‘be ready’ impact your relationships with non-Christians?