Jesus on the Destruction of the Temple, His Return, and the Last Days

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Matthew 24 & 25

The Preceding Context

Matthew 21:1-11 Palm Sunday and Jesus entering Jerusalem as a King!

Matthew 21:12-17 Jesus cleanses the Temple (a profoundly radical act of judgment)

Matthew 21:18-22 Jesus cursing the fig tree

Matthew 21:33-45 The parable of the tenants (see vs. 43)

Matthew 23. An extended judgment on the religious leaders (see vs. 36-38). Also see Luke 19:41-44 which has even stronger language of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and lamenting its coming destruction.

Matthew 24:1-3. The Interpretive Key

There are two questions:
1. When will the temple be destroyed?
2. What (and asking when) are the signs of your coming (Parousia) and the end of the age?

The disciples assume these events are correlated.
Jesus knows they are NOT.

Interpretive Principle about “Eschatology”

Illustration: National Treasure movie and the Franklin glasses
Illustration: Baggar Vance – See the field scene.
A simultaneous “double sight.”

Matthew 24:4-28. Jesus answers the question about the destruction of the Temple

Deception. v. 4, 5, 11, 24

Signs of all the times. vs. 6-8

The Great Falling Away. vs. 9-13. “The love of most will grow cold…”

The Great Mission. v. 14

The Abomination of Desolation, Rooted in Daniel’s prophecy. 15

Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11

Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 BC

Nero would have tried in 40 AD

Jesus looks ahead to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem led by

Roman General (and future emperor) Titus in 70 AD.

 

Immediate Response – flee, get out of there NOW v. 16-22

Matthew 24:23-28. Insights About the Return of the King that require the “double lens sight about present and future but which focus on the PRESENT.

Matthew 24:29-44. Insights About the Return of the King that require the “double lens sight about present and future but which “may” focus on the FUTURE.

The Return of Jesus. 29-31

The Fig Tree Sign. 32-35

The Lessons From the Time of Noah. 36-39

The Rapture? 40-41

The Lesson From the Thief. 42-44

A Big Picture Lesson. You DO NOT KNOW when, so always be watchful, alert, ready, faithful.

 

Matthew 24:45 – 25:46. Parables of Faithful Readiness

Matthew 24:45-51. Parable of the faithful and wise servant who does what the Master wills.

Matthew 25:1-13. Parable of the Ten Virgins, half were wise and watching, half were foolish and not watching.

Matthew 25:14-30. Parable of the Talents/Bags of God, be serving the purposes of God and make a difference.

Matthew 25:31-46. Parable of service to the “least of these” and the sheep and goats language.

 

MAJOR LESSONS OF THIS END TIME TEACHING

The “double sight” perspective is the best way to study end times.

You will NOT KNOW WHEN. Signs may or may not apply.

Since you will not know when – always be READY.

There is current tribulation and there is coming judgment/reward

34 Messages