Matthew 24:3
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

 

  • Sign – semeion – a supernatural or miraculous indicator

 

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore . . .

 

Matthew 24:8
All these are the beginning of birth pains.

 

  • Birth pains precede the birth of a baby. And they increase in intensity and in frequency before the baby’s arrival.

 

Matthew 24:36a
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

 

Signs of Christ’s Coming

 

Matthew 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.
“Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

 

  • The last days and the end of time are different time periods in scripture. The last days refer to the time from the day of Pentecost until the rapture of the church, also called the church age. The end of time refers to the time from the rapture of the church until Christ’s return on the Mount of Olives.

 

1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

 

  • Spiritual Deception

 

Matthew 24:4-5
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

 

Matthew 24:23-25
23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

 

 

  • Global Conflict

 

Matthew 24:6-7
6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

 

  • Natural Disasters

 

Matthew 24:7
. . . There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

 

  • Global Persecution

 

Matthew 24:9
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

 

  • Apostacy

 

  • Apostacy – the abandonment or renunciation of religious belief

 

Matthew 24:10-13
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

 

  • Gospel Penetration

 

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

 

How Should We Then Live?

 

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore . . .

 

  • Sober Prayer

 

1 Peter 4:7
. . . Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

 

  • Deep Love

 

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

 

  • Generous Hospitality

 

1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

 

  • Gracious Service

 

1 Peter 4:10-11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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