The End Part II

The End!

Part II

August 16, 2009

Introduction

What comes to your mind when you see the words, “The End”? This morning, you may be thinking, he forgot to update his Power Point, that’s last Sunday’s lesson..

We began our study last Sunday with this passage: “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. {25} For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. {26} The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. {27} For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. {28} Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Cor 15:24-28 NKJV)

As we concluded last Sunday’s lesson, someone told me it would have been fine with them if I had continued my thoughts for another hour. I don’t plan to speak an hour this morning, but I would like to continue the study that we started last Sunday morning as we talked about the end. This morning, we will again link passages in the Old and New Testaments.

Body

I. Jesus had much to say concerning the end of all things.

Jesus began a passage that He didn’t finish reading.

(Luke 4:17-21 NKJV) And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: {18} "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; {19} To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." {20} Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. {21} And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

What is it that Jesus left out?

(Isa 61:1-2 NKJV) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; {2} To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

1. As we read the passage in Isaiah, it is easy to believe this would all happen at one time.

2. Jesus obviously stopped before He came to the day of vengeance of our God;

The two possibilities: “the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn”

II. Jesus gave many details about his return.

The Setting is the temple, and the disciples being impressed by it.

(Mat 24:1 NKJV) Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.

1. Jesus tells about the destruction of Jerusalem.

(Mat 24:2 NKJV) And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

a. This was literally fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem.

b. Much in this chapter refers to the destruction of Jerusalem.

2. The disciples ask too many questions at once.

(Mat 24:3 NKJV) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

a. Clearly, they have asked about the destruction of Jerusalem: when will these things be?

b. But they also ask about His second coming. And what will be the sign of Your coming?..

c. Is there a third question: and of the end of the age?"

d. The fact that we have more than one question makes the answer that Jesus gives more difficult to understand.

The importance of what follows:

1. This is not the national weather service with important information that will follow, this is Jesus and listen to what He says:

(Mat 24:4 NKJV) And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.

2. Now the important message will follow.

(Mat 24:5-8 NKJV) "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. {6} "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. {7} "For nation¹ will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. {8} "All these are the beginning of sorrows.

¹ἔθνος

ethnos

Thayer Definition:

1) a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together

1a) a company, troop, swarm

2) a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus

2a) the human family

3) a tribe, nation, people group

--- How about race wars! How about the untranslated Greek: ethnos

And now let me anglicize it for you: ethnic – ethnic group!

3. The message continues.

(Mat 24:10-13 NKJV) "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. {11} "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. {12} "And because lawlessness¹ will abound, the love of many will grow cold. {13} "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

¹ ἀνομία

anomia

Thayer Definition:

1) the condition of without law

1a) because ignorant of it

1b) because of violating it

2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

4. The gospel will be preached to the whole world, and then the end will come.

(Mat 24:14 NKJV) "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

a. Has it happened with World Radio?

b. Has it happened with the collapse of the iron curtain?

c. Has it happened with numerous missionary efforts all over the world?

d. Has it happened with medical missions?

e. Has it happened with World Bible School?

III. When it comes to the end, what will happen?

You will know it!

(Mat 24:30-33 NKJV) "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. {31} "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. {32} "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. {33} "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors!

There is much more, but there is a very sad conclusion.

(Luke 17:34-35 NIV) I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. {35} Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left."

1. It will happen around the world at one time.

2. one will be taken and the other left." How tragic and sad.

a. They knew each other, they worked together, but one was saved, and one was lost.

b. They may have been husband and wife, but one was saved, and one was lost.

Today is the day of salvation.

(2 Cor 6:1-2 NKJV) We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. {2} For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Conclusion

We have today. It’s all we have! Are you ready for the day of His return?

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