Matthew 24:15-31 The Hour is Coming
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
Time is important
Growing up in a military family I was taught that five minutes early is being late
Time is also important how you use it
I typically cut my own hair
There are two reasons I do this
First, I have forgotten to call ahead and make an appointment
Second, I have enough hair that should take about 15 minutes
In reality its getting down 13-14
I thought that was an anomaly but I have gone through 3 different guys where the same things happens
At the first appointment all goes well until they ask me what I do
I tell them I am a pastor and that’s when it goes from 15 to and hour
Each time I sit down they turn it into a Q&A or a counseling session
I don’t mind the Q&A but I have issues with the counseling
The main issue I have is that I have to sit there and listen and watch him play out his issue while he doesn’t cut my hair
This is all the while I watch guys come in after me and leave before me
So It comes to an hour and he has to wrap it up because his next appointment is waiting
So he rushes and finishes my hair proving he can cut it in 15
And then to top it off I get to pay $30 for me to counsel him
The hour is coming when I won’t need another haircut
Read Matthew 24:15-20
Read Matthew 24:15-20
Transition:
Time is spoken of in different ways in the Bible
You will see years referred to as weeks
Days will be referred to as an Event
Hours will be referred to as Days
It’s not important to know why Jewish writers did this
What’s important to know is how it works
A modern city dweller living in this digital age will be surprised to learn that the words minutes and seconds are not in the Bible
When hours, days, weeks, and years are used they seldom correspond to our time divisions
In dating an event, exactness didn’t matter
The word hour doesn’t occur in the OT except for Daniel, one of the last books written
Even then it is meant to mean moment or in a twinkling of an eye
There is an hour coming where God is going to dole out some judgment
Jesus talks about in our passage today
Abomination of Desolation vs. 15
Abomination of Desolation vs. 15
The hour is coming when the Abomination of Desolation will take place in the temple
The abomination of desolation speaks of the ultimate desecration of a Jewish temple, the establishment of an idolatrous image in the holy place itself, which will inevitably result in the judgment of God. It is the abomination that brings desolation.
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
In the vocabulary of Judaism of that time, an abomination was an especially offensive form of idolatry.
In the vocabulary of Judaism of that time, an abomination was an especially offensive form of idolatry.
Jesus described a gross form of idolatry, standing in the holy place, that brings with it great destruction
Standing in the holy place:
This means that the abomination of desolation takes place in the Jewish temple.
This is the only plain meaning of the phrase holy place.
Some believe it happened in a prior Jewish temple, before it was destroyed in AD 70.
Others – more properly – believe it will happen in the holy place of a rebuilt temple.
As spoken of by Daniel the prophet:
The mention of the abomination of desolation is taken from the book of Daniel.
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
This describes a complete desecration of the temple, prefigured by Antiochus Epiphanies in the period between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Paul elaborates on the future fulfillment of this in
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
When this sign is set up, the end may be determined – there will be almost three and one-half years to go until the consummation of all things.
Whoever reads, let him understand:
Here Jesus (assuming that He said these words, and that they were not added by Matthew) directed us again to the central place of understanding, the abomination of desolation.
It was almost as if Jesus said, “Don’t miss this. If you don’t understand this, you won’t understand many other things.”
Flee to the Mountains vs. 16-20
Flee to the Mountains vs. 16-20
The hour is coming when the Jews will need to flee to the mountains
These are warnings specifically addressed to Israelites.
Judea, housetops, and Sabbath all speak to a Jewish environment.
In light of the broader context in this chapter, these words of Jesus should be understood as having primary application to those who see the abomination of desolation in the very last days, during the great tribulation – events that are yet to occur.
For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’
This is because at the appearance of the abomination of desolation, the desolation will first be poured out at Judea, and because the church will not be a factor at this time, having already been caught up to meet Jesus in the air
Petra #1
Petra is this city that is carved into the mountains out in the middle of nowhere in Jordan
Petra #2
It is a major tourist attraction
I will be there this coming Friday
Petra #3
Great Tribulation vs. 21-28
Great Tribulation vs. 21-28
The hour is coming when the Great Tribulation will happen
Great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time:
Jesus said that this will be the most awful time in all history.
When we think of the terrible wars, plagues, famines, and genocide history has seen, this is a sobering statement.
When God pours out His wrath on a God rejecting world, it will be truly great tribulation.
vs. 21-22 Calamity
The abomination of desolation will mark the beginning of the great tribulation, the last three and one half years before Christ appears to rule the world from His throne in Jerusalem.
No time or event in the history of Israel fits the description of the holocaust Jesus is here speaking of.
The horrifying time is further described in some detail in Revelation 6–16, where the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments exhibit the escalating intensity of God’s wrath upon sinful, rebellious mankind.
Both the books of Revelation and of Daniel make clear that the Antichrist will tyrannize the world for “a time, times, and half a time” (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:14), that is, a year, two years, and a half year, or three and one half years
vs. 23-27 Confusion
Those who heed Jesus’ advice to flee into the mountains and are protected by God from harm will also be especially vulnerable to false teaching and promises.
Having left their homes with only the clothes on their backs, they will not have the least security of material possessions.
Many of them will have left families and friends behind and will be strangers to each other.
Look, here is the Christ:
No one should be deceived about the nature of Jesus’ coming.
It will not be secret or private, but as plain as lightning that flashes across the sky.
But in the midst of such tribulation, there will be a temptation to look for false messiahs (false christs and false prophets will rise).
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
vs. 28 Corruption
For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together:
This is a difficult statement. It was probably a figure of speech with the idea, “when judgment is ripe, it will surely come.”
t That statement was possibly a common proverb in Palestine, as it could be in many parts of the world. Even in highly civilized modern societies, vultures circling over the carcass of a dead animal are not an uncommon sight in the countryside, especially in remote areas.
By the end of the Great Tribulation, the world will have filled up its full measure of sin and will have spiritually decayed into a wretched and virtually lifeless carcass.
As it lies like a dead animal in the wilderness, Christ will appear to make final disposition of that corpse through His righteous and terrible judgment.
Second Coming of Christ vs. 29-31
Second Coming of Christ vs. 29-31
The hour is coming when the Second Coming of Christ is going to happen
Satan will inaugurate the Great Tribulation, desecrating the restored Temple and slaughtering every Jew and Christian he can lay hands on.
The Lord’s coming to reign will take place at the conclusion of this time of tribulation.
vs. 29 earth goes dark
The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
vs. 30 Coming on the Clouds
It is difficult to say exactly what this sign is. It seems to precede His return as described in
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Perhaps this sign is somehow related to the incredible cosmic disturbances that will precede the great event.
This is the fulfillment of the end, indicated by the sign of the abomination of desolation. Since this has not happened yet, neither has the abomination of desolation.
vs. 31 Gather the Elect