Signs are important
1. They keep you watching – alertness
2. When they happen it’s a blessing for those who tend to fall asleep
Unpacking Matthew 24 – Matthew 24:1–3 (NIV)

• Notice 3 questions
• When will the temples destruction come, The sign of your coming, The end of the age
• There is a mystery to this – Jesus bounces around between questions
• Jesus’ prophecy came true 40 years later (a generation in Jewish time)
• Jesus reiterated what Daniel tells us –Daniel 9:22-26

Now we will pull back and glean what we can about the signs of the end
Matthew 24:4–14 (NIV
1. False Messiahs – Saviors will deceive many –Vs 5
2. Wars and rumors of wars –Vs 6
3. Nation against nation – (big wars) Vs 7
4. Famines, earthquakes Vs 7b—Luke 21:11 Pestilences
5. Persecution Vs 9
A. Hated by all nations –this is unique
B. Quit on Christianity
C. Reshaping Christianity to make it less extreme in others eyes
6. Great falling away Vs 10, 2 Thessalonians 2:3
7. False prophets again deceiving many Vs 11
8. Increase of wickedness –love grows cold –the lawless one
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NIV)

Additional signs
• Lawlessness and the lawless one will be revealed –temple rebuilt. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–8 (NIV)
• Knowledge will increase –technology increases. Daniel 12:4 (ESV)

Highlighted issues
• Persecution will be part of the end no matter what view
• Christians are persecuted in several ways –
• Internally when we see sin and its results
• Internally when we experience being different

1. Nothing else needs to happen that we know of before Jesus returns—be ready now!!!
   • If the dispensational pre-tribulation view is right – persecution will grow and then the rapture
   • If the other most valid views are right then persecution will grow and the great falling away will happen –tribulation etc.…
2. Are you standing firm?
   • Walking in the light versus the dark
   • Do you know what scripture says so you know what to stand firm on?
   Luke 12:35 (NIV), 2 Timothy 3:12–17 (NIV), 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)
3. Remember being “ready” means we are about our Masters business
   • Alert from your position – family –friends
   • Being ready versus getting ready
   • Not prepping preaching
   • The gospel will be preached to the whole world
   Matthew 24:13, Matthew 24:14
4. Then the end will come like a thief in the night
   • Persecution –lawlessness – signs –and then… Matthew 24:36–43 (NIV)

So how ought we to think about this?
1. Joy that all of this could happen soon
2. Confident that we are ready –we are in Christ, (wedding clothes_ we are walking in the light—our lamps are lit, and we are about our master’s business.
3. Confident that the Lord will give us the right things to say at the right time if we are persecuted. 1 Peter 4:12–15 (NIV), Matthew 10:16–20 (NIV), Philippians 4:12–13 (NIV)

Passages to consider: Matthew 16:3; Matthew 24:1-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 3:10-15
Ice Breaker: 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 to discuss:
1. Read Matthew 24:1-14 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. What are Jesus and 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? A) 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? A) 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 Timothy 3:10-17 or 1 Peter 4:7-16) A) How does ‘be ready’ impact your relationships with non-Christians?