Matthew 24 Part 4
Matthew 24:27ff
In our last lesson, the last verse we used from Matthew 24, was this one:
(Mat 24:27 NKJV) "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
The very next statement is this:
(Mat 24:28) "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
The question is:
How does this relate the verses we just studied?
Some suggest that it has reference to the destruction of Jerusalem.
If so, the parallel is this: Just as eagles seek out dead bodies, God directs His wrath against the wicked; that is, the spiritually dead Jewish people. He used the Roman army to carry out His vengeance. Remember
(Luke 21:22 NKJV) "For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
In a similar way, it could be described as the end of time.
(Luke 18:8 NKJV) ". . . Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
Later in Matthew 24, Jesus will describe end time conditions on earth.
In our last lesson we talked about the great tribulation.
(Mat 24:21-22 NKJV) "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. {22} "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
How will these days end?
(Mat 24:29-31 NKJV) "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luke’s Account adds some Details
(Luke 21:25 NKJV) "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
Global warming?
This past week, Jonathan was telling about a radio program about a scientist who reported that NASA has discovered huge numbers of volcanoes under the ocean. They now believe they may number 1,000,000. Some of these have erupted and have raised the water temperature by 2o. The same program projected that many times this number will erupt. “the waves roaring;”
It also said that a huge volcano may erupt in Yellowstone, killing everything in a 600 mile radius.
What does this verse mean?
As I said in my introduction, I take prophecy as literally as possible.
· I have no problem accepting what is said literally.
· Some do not want to accept this as being the end of time, but rather the destruction of Jerusalem. That means that all of this is symbolic.
· I accept these verses very literally, in part because of what follows:
(Mat 24:30) "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.
Compare this to Revelation!
(Rev 1:7 NKJV) Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
What is the event?
I take it to be the end of the World!
Notice what follows:
(Matthew 24:31) "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.
Paul also speaks of the last trumpet!
(1 Cor 15:51-52 NKJV) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Jesus wants us to learn something.
(Mat 24:32-33 NKJV) "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} [The application:] "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors!
To Whom is He speaking?
“Those who see all these things!”
The question is, has anyone seen all these things?
· I don’t think so.
· Some disagree and place all of this at the destruction or Jerusalem.
In defense of my case I submit the following:
I believe the great tribulation is yet to be:
(Mat 24:22 NKJV) "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
Even if every living person in Jerusalem had been killed, that would not mean “no flesh would be saved;”
Back to the text:
(Mat 24:33-34 NKJV) "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! {34} "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Which generation?
The generation that begins to see these things:
Verse 33: when you see all these things, I don’t believe anyone has seen these things yet. But when we begin to see these things, the end is coming quickly – in that generation!
Compare what Luke’s account adds:
(Luke 21:28-29 NKJV) "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." {29} Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
Note the fig tree. Obviously these are about the same event.
When the world seems to be falling apart, “look up and lift up your heads,”
Why? “because your redemption draws near."
That’s why we need prophecy! Without it, we could be very disheartened.
Some say that the book of Revelation was given to cheer Christians during a very difficult time of persecution.
When all else Fails, God’s Word will Not!
(Mat 24:35 NKJV) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
No One knows the Day!
(Mat 24:36 NKJV) "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Christ’s Return will Be Like the Days of Noah.
(Mat 24:37-39 NKJV) "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. {38} "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, {39} "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Christ did not list wicked, evil things. He simply listed the everyday events and the important events like marriage. Life as usual.
Why Prophecy?
Let’s skip ahead a few verses:
(Mat 24:42-44 NKJV) "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. {43} "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. {44} "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
For the final lesson in this series Matthew 24 Part 5
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