Threats
Notes
Transcript
Here is the 5th of Barclay’s six topics in Matthew 24.1-35.
According to Barclay, Jesus saw 2 threats to the life and purity of the church.
According to Barclay, Jesus saw 2 threats to the life and purity of the church.
False leaders
False leaders
They propagate their own version of the truth vs Jesus-truth.
They propagate their own version of the truth vs Jesus-truth.
They try to create disciples (for themselves) rather than make disciples (for Jesus).
They try to create disciples (for themselves) rather than make disciples (for Jesus).
Discouragement
Discouragement
Because of the increase of lawlessness.
Because of the increase of lawlessness.
Because of the decrease of agape.
Because of the decrease of agape.
4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you! 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many.
Premature claims
Premature claims
The messiah (christ) has come.
The messiah (christ) has come.
Final judgment (the end) has begun.
Final judgment (the end) has begun.
People will be deceived because the false signs are what people expect to happen at the end.
People will be deceived because the false signs are what people expect to happen at the end.
In my name
In my name
Using Jesus’ name.
Using Jesus’ name.
Claiming Jesus’ office.
Claiming Jesus’ office.
Josephus wrote Jewish history was littered by such false claimants.
Josephus wrote Jewish history was littered by such false claimants.
11 and many false prophets will appear and will deceive many, 12 and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end—this person will be saved.
V 11 shows why Barclay connects 11-13 to 4-5.
V 11 shows why Barclay connects 11-13 to 4-5.
Now it is pseudo-prophets who deceive.
Now it is pseudo-prophets who deceive.
Tribulation leads to lawlessness leads to failure of love.
Tribulation leads to lawlessness leads to failure of love.
Matthew on false prophets (7.13ff)
Matthew on false prophets (7.13ff)
Failure of agape.
Failure of agape.
Love of others, not love of truth.
Love of others, not love of truth.
(The Christian ethic fails before Christian doctrine?)
(The Christian ethic fails before Christian doctrine?)
What does Jesus’ statement in v 13 do to our doctrine of salvation?
What does Jesus’ statement in v 13 do to our doctrine of salvation?
23 “At that time if anyone should say to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘Here he is,’ do not believe him! 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear, and will produce great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you ahead of time! 26 Therefore if they say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it!
Now we have the false christs and the false prophets together.
Now we have the false christs and the false prophets together.
In spite of all the signs, the end is still future.
In spite of all the signs, the end is still future.
The false christs have false prophets.
The false christs have false prophets.
(Even the true Christ has false prophets?)
(Even the true Christ has false prophets?)
“Look here:” the prophets are calling attention to the false christs.
“Look here:” the prophets are calling attention to the false christs.
(Can Jesus as portrayed by the false prophets be a false christ?)
(Can Jesus as portrayed by the false prophets be a false christ?)
Their goal is to deceive the elect.
Their goal is to deceive the elect.
If possible: not possible.
If possible: not possible.
(Can the elect be deceived?)
(Can the elect be deceived?)