Primary Text: Matthew 24:13-31
Memory Verse: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13
Introduction:
The rejection and death of the Messiah, and the pursuant destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., could be considered the “beginning of the end” in the Olivet Discourse (Jesus’ final apocalyptic teaching). The direct references to the “Abomination of Desolation” (Matthew 24:15) and the warning to those living in the region of Judea indicates the world’s initiation into the “dark ages,” a time when spiritual truth was obscured, and even general knowledge would suffer severe limitations. Finally, the darkened age would culminate in worldwide calamities and sorrows, which would usher in the second coming of the Messiah.
It is important that we understand the long period of time which Jesus’ prophecy covers, lest we try to squeeze all of the events He prophesied into a short number of years. Great calamities would begin an age of severe darkness that would signal the “beginning of the end of the age.” But the return of Jesus would not be until the very culmination of the end. Just prior to His return, He discusses more events that sound similar to those which began the age of darkness, but will blanket the earth on an even more severe scale. Never does Jesus tell the church that they will escape persecution through a secret rapture. On the contrary, Jesus showed vividly how true believers will face public and private persecution, and that they must be deeply committed to withstand it. Jesus’ promise is that we would be strengthened in our faith, not removed from the scene.
God’s plan in and through the church, the body of Christ, was that it would become the new agency for keeping the truths of God alive, and to spread this good news of salvation to all of the Earth. The church would transcend Israel to encompass the Gentiles; national identity would no longer be the essential element, but faith in God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- What did Jesus teach about enduring tribulation for the faith? Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:19
- What exact event would trigger the actual second coming of Jesus Christ? Matthew 24:14
- Describe what was meant by the “abomination of desolation.” Matthew 24:15-18; Mark 13:14-16; Luke 21:20-22
- What instructions did Jesus give to His people about escaping the coming calamity of Jerusalem’s destruction, and how were they directed by the Lord to pray? Matthew 24:19-20; Mark 13:17-18; Luke 21:23-24
- According to Jesus’ words, why would the days of destruction be shortened, and why do you think that is important to the church? Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20
- What additional warning and instruction did Jesus give about false prophets and messiahs? How can we apply this warning today? Matthew 24:23-26; Mark 13:21-23
- Discuss the main point of Jesus’ words when He spoke of His coming being like lightning from the east. Matthew 24:27-28
- How is the description of the destruction of Jerusalem and world events just prior to the return of Christ similar? Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28