Signs and a Thief in the Night

Matthew 24  (see also Mark 13 and Luke 21)

  • (1 – 2) Jesus commented that the Temple would be destroyed.
  • (3) In response, the disciples asked two questions:
    • What will be the signs of Your coming?
    • And the end of the age?
  • (4 – 34) Signs of the destruction of Jerusalem
    • (4 – 5, 23 – 26) False claims to being the Christ
    • (6 – 8) Wars, famines, earthquakes
    • (9 – 10) Persecution of Christians
    • (11) False prophets
    • (12) Lawlessness will increase; love will decrease.
    • (14) The gospel will be preached to the whole world.
    • (15) Connection to Daniel 9:24 – 27.
    • (13, 16 – 20)   When Jerusalem is attacked (Luke 21:20 – 21), get out of town.  Pray for good timing for escape.
    • (21 – 22) Worst time on all of history.  But God will keep it short for the sake of the Christians.
    • (27 – 31) Figurative section.
      • (27 – 28) It will be quick with lots of death.
      • (29) Sounds like Joel 2:30 – 32, the same as Peter cited in Acts 2.
      • (30) A reference to Daniel 7:13 – 14, Jesus receiving His kingdom upon His return to heaven.
      • (31) Gathering the elect into the church.
    • (32 – 34) Pay attention.  All of this will happen in this generation
  • (35) Transition to the second question
  • (36) Answering the second question
    • (36) No one but the Father, not even Jesus while on earth, knows when the end of time will be.
    • (37 – 39) Like before the Flood – a total surprise.
    • (40 – 41) Not according to geography.
    • (42 – 51) Parable of the faithful servant who was prepared at all times versus the evil servant who delayed preparation because he thought he had time.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11

  • (13) The topic is the disposition of deceased Christians.
  • (14 – 17) Deceased Christians will return with Jesus and be joined by physically living Christians in the air.  Everyone gets their resurrection bodies together (1 Corinthians 15:35 – 53).
  • (1 – 2) The Thessalonians were well aware that the end will come unexpectedly.
  • (3) The end will come when predictors say it is not.

2 Peter 3:3 – 12

  • (3 – 4) Some will ridicule the concept of the end of the physical realm, claiming that the laws of physics don’t change.
  • (5 – 6) The skeptics overlook Noah’s flood.  Catastrophic changes have happened.
  • (7) Judgment Day will come with fire.
  • (8 – 9) The promise of Judgment is not slow in coming.  The delay is due to God’s patience.
  • (10) The physical realm will be consumed without warning (no signs).
  • (11 – 12) Use this fact as a reminder to be prepared at all times.