The Olivet Discourse: Part III When Will These Things Be?

Matthew 24:36-51

Jesus Said:

Mat. 23: 39 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”Matt. 24 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

The Disciples Responded:3 …. “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?”

When will these things be?What will be the sign of your coming?What will be the sign of the close of the age?

Jesus answers the last question first (4-15), then the second (16-35) and finally, the first (36-25:1-13).

What will be the sign of the close of the age?

First Stage (vs. 4-15):There will be an increase in the number of false ChristThere will be an increase in wars and rumors of wars and international conflictThere will be an increase in famines and earthquakesThere will be an increase in tribulation, murder and hatred towards God’s people.There will be an increase in people turning away from the faithFalse prophets will lead people astrayThere will be an increase in lawlessness and lack of loveLast, the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed thru the entire world.

What will be the sign of the close of the age?

Second Stage (vs. 15-35):The Abomination of Desecration will stand in the Temple.There will be great tribulation, especially in Israel, unlike any that has occurred in human history.There will be an increase in false Christ and prophets that deceive through miracles and wonders.

What will be the sign of your coming?

It will not be gradual.He won’t come in the desert.He won’t meet with people in closed rooms

It will be quick, like lightning.It will be immediately after the tribulationsun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.There will be a sign in the heavens of the son of man.Israel will repent and go into mourningThen, Christ will return in the cloudsThen, His angels will gather together His elect to set up his kingdom

Caution:What follows is not the

Rapture!

When will these things be?

Mat 24:36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

The church doesn’t knowThe angels don’t knowNot even Jesus knowsOnly the Father knows

If someone says to you, “I know what day Jesus is coming back.” What should you say them?

Be Alert!

Mat 24:37-39 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

This isn’t the Rapture!

They were ignoring Noah’s warnings, partying and enjoying life, oblivious to what was going to happen.They were swept away in judgment.Those taken are the judged.Those remaining enter into the next stage in God’s program.“so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

Be Alert!Matthew 24:40–42 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

The ones are taken are taken to judgment.The ones left are entering into the Kingdom.Point One: Stay Awake!Point Two: You don’t know the day it will happen.

Be Ready!Matthew 24:43–44 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Be watchful.Christ returns like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2–4 (ESV) 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Faithfulness will be rewarded!Matthew 24:45–47 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

The faithful servant isn’t taken away. He remains and is given more.He is rewarded for being faithful.

Judgment will come quickly!

Matthew 24:48–51 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The unfaithful servant is removed and judged with the wicked.

You won’t experience this unless

You miss the rapture.1 Corinthians 15:23–24 23 But each in his own order:

Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule

and every authority and power.

4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Jesus is Coming Again!