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Matthew

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Persecution and Proclamation

Matthew 24:9-14

The story of the church has often been one of persecution, and still is (2 Timothy 3:12). Although the early phases of Christ's ministry and the first days of the Early Church were sweetened by the crowds' approval, hostility against them increased and most of the disciples died through violence. So, this briefing by Jesus was to prepare them, and us, for the hard realities of life in a world that rejects His authority.

Religion Cannot Save

Matthew 24:15-22

These verses have excited Christians into all kinds of discussion. But we need to remember that their context is of the disciples viewing the walls of the Temple, when Jesus told them that it would be destroyed. They asked Him when it would happen (Matthew 24:1-3), and what would be the signs of His coming as King. The rest of the chapter answers the questions, more or less in that order. Although the passage has stimulated a variety of opinions about Christ's coming, the primary interpretation is of the events around the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Faith Or Gullibility

Matthew 24:23-28

Belief which does not bring people under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, is not true faith in God's Word, but gullibility. The world, our own fleshly instincts and the devil intrinsically resist the idea of submission to Jesus. In the Last Days, especially when there is trouble in the world, messiahs and saviours of any and every description will lure people into their den and lead them further astray from the truth. These false prophets will not only seduce the unbelievers, but will attempt to distract and divert people who have trusted in Jesus Christ (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Cosmic Consequences

Matthew 24:29

Jesus was answering two questions: when will the Temple in Jerusalem be ruined, and what are the signs for the second coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). The Bible teaches that this world does not revolve around human beings, or their social, business, economic or political ambitions. Neither is it caught up in a series of random autonomous processes. The world and all the planetary systems were intentionally created through Christ, and continually sustained by Him, to serve His purpose (Hebrews 1:2-3).

The Unique Return of Jesus

Matthew 24:30-31 

The purpose of prophecy - is to bring people back to honour God's covenant and to declare His intentions … so that when He acts in power, people will know that it is His hand at work. Those who trust His Word in advance, will rejoice; and those who have resisted His Word, will be in great distress (Revelation 1:7). The first coming of Jesus was prophetically announced in different ways: Elizabeth (Luke 1:45), Simeon (Luke 2:29-32) and Anna (Luke 2:38) - they all rejoiced … while King Herod was furious in his distress (Matthew 2:16-18).

Obvious But Ignored

Matthew 24:32-35

Jesus used the fruiting cycle of a fig tree to illustrate the certainty of His prediction of the Temple’s destruction (it happened in AD70) and His Second Coming (Matthew 24:3). Fig trees, like all other plants, have a recognisable cycle of growth which produce the next generation. Each fruit, although we like to eat the fleshy parts, is really the container of the seeds which will eventually grow into new plants. In an agricultural community, getting the timing right makes the difference between a commercial profit and a loss.

Unprepared For Disaster

Matthew 24:36-39

Jesus was telling His disciples about His Second Coming. They had asked when it would happen (Matthew 24:3). It was a sensible question: if we know when something important is going to happen, we must get ready for it. For such occasions we can make a special effort, look good for an evening, be fresh in the morning, prepare an excellent presentation at work … some of the time. But God wants us to be ready to welcome Jesus every day. He is looking for an eternity-long relationship with us: not a special effort on one day.

The Great Separation

Matthew 24:40-42 

When Jesus returns everything will change. There will be a division between the righteous and the wicked (Matthew 13:49). Of course, no one is righteous; all are sinners. But all who trust in Jesus receive forgiveness of their sins and the righteousness of Christ (Philippians 3:9). And so, the separation will be between those who have received Christ and those who have resisted His rule over them (John 3:36).

Unpredictable Arrival

Matthew 24:43-44

Jesus was teaching about His Second Coming, which would be unexpected; the date and time would not be revealed in advance. Using the illustration of domestic burglary, Jesus said that householders are always shocked to find that thieves have ransacked their home. Why are they shocked? Do they not know that thieves exist and have operated in their town? Of course they know, but they do not believe that it will happen to them. This scenario is paradoxical, because Jesus is not a wicked thief; but His arrival will be as unforeseen as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Faithfulness Is Rewarded

Matthew 24:45-51

In this parable by Jesus about His Second Coming, He appealed to the disciples' sense of justice.  The story is about a man who sets up a business at his own expense.  He appointed a manager to direct and provide for the staff while he is away.  When the owner of the business returns the manager’s performance is assessed.  If that manager does his job well and respects the owner’s wishes, the faithful work will be rewarded.  However, if the manager has no respect for the owner, and behaved selfishly, and abuses the staff, the owner will not hesitate to punish the manager.  

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