Before Jesus left he wanted to prepare his disciples for the end. They were called to be watchful and ready and so are we.
Message Notes
Certainties about the End Times:
Matthew 24:1-3
Jesus knows about the future:
History will come to an end and He is the key to history!
Matthew 24:4-14
Before Jesus’ return the church will be
persecuted and
purified, and the gospel will be preached to
all nations!
Matthew 24:15-26
Before Jesus’ return many will be
deceived to follow false Christs and
worship false leaders!
Matthew 24:27-46
When Jesus returns, all will
see it, all the nations will
mourn and angels will
gather his elect.
The presence of evil guarantees that history will be full of strife and that the world will look unredeemed. For a period of time, the kingdom of God must exist alongside an active rebellion against God. God’s kingdom advances slowly, humbly, like a secret invasion force operating within the kingdom ruled by Satan. - Philip Yancey
No one but the Father knows the
exact day of Jesus’ return.
Why is God landing in this enemy-occupied world in disguise and starting a sort of secret society to undermine the devil? Why is He not landing in force, invading it? Is it that He is not strong enough? Well, Christians think He is going to land in force; we do not know when. But we can guess why He is delaying: He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely…God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world realize what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author takes the stage the play is over. - C. S. Lewis
After Jesus returns, we will all give an
accounting of our lives to Him!
Commands of Jesus to his disciples:
1.
Watch out for counterfeits(v.4). Cultivate
Intimacy with Jesus.
2.
Be aware of the signs of His return (v.42)
3. Be about the Lord’s
business (v.45-46)
or
below.
