The Life of Jesus (30) Teachings Concerning Judgment The Lord’s Return (1) Matthew 24:36-25:13

In Matthew 24:1-35 Jesus pronounces judgment upon Jerusalem based upon their rejection of Him & God This chapter the playground of end of age speculations (premillenialism, 70 AD doctrine, etc.)

Matthew 24 - Background 24:1-2 – Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple 24:3, “When will these things be?” “What will be the signs of Your coming and of the end of the age.”

Matthew 24 – The Message 24:4-35 – the coming destruction of Jerusalem Answering the 1 st question! 24:36-51 – “But of that day and hour no one knows…” Answering the 2 nd question!

Destruction of Jerusalem & the world contrasted – Matt Jerusalem (AD 70)End of World (???) Time identified Lk. 21:20 “This generation”- 24:34 “Those days” – 24:19, 22 Events prior – specific Abomination – 24:15 Advance warning – fig tree – 24:32-33 Time to escape - 24:16-18 Judgment Local – Judea – 24:16

Matt. 24:4-35 – Jerusalem 24:34-35 – “this generation will not come to pass till all these things take place.” Generation ( 24:34 ) – “people living at the same time and belonging to the same reproductive age-class.” (L&N, 11.4), Col. 1:26, Matt. 1:17, 12:39-45

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:36-51 Jesus now begins to answer their second question, “Your coming at the end of the age?” Age ( 24:3 ) – a particular stage of history (L&N, ) Matt. 13:40, 49, 12:32

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:36 – “but of that day and hour no one knows”… BUT – indicates a contrast, Jesus answers 2 nd question

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:36 – “but of that day and hour no one knows”… “that day” – a specific day! Previous section – “those days” – 24:19, 22, 29 “that day & hour” – 24:42- 44, 50, 25:13

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:36 – “but of that day and hour no one knows”… The “second coming” is always singular – Matt. 11:22, 24; 12:36; 7:22, 1 Thess. 5:2,4, 2 Thess. 1:10, 2 Tim. 1:12, Jude 6, 2 Pet. 3:10

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:36 – “no one knows, not even the angels” Mark 13:32, “…nor the Son…” Jesus had an idea when Jerusalem would be destroyed. While on earth, neither He nor angels knew the time of the end

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:37-39 – “as in the days of Noah” Things were normal – eating & drinking, marriage – everyday occurrences IGNORING the warnings to be prepared! 2 Pet. 3:3-4, 10 No specific warnings!

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:40-41 – some taken, some left 2 men harvesting, 2 women at the mill. ONE taken, the other left behind. Sudden separation of godly and ungodly – Matt. 25:31-32, John 5:28-29

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:42-44 – as a thief in the night “Watch” – (present tense) continually We generally don’t know when a thief will come 2 Pet. 3:10-12, 1 Thess. 5:1-3, Rev. 16:15

Matt. 24:36-51 – “That day” 24:45-51 – Parable of faithful and evil servants – unexpected return Faithful servant always faithful and “prepared” Evil servant – abusive and wasteful Will be cut off. 24:51 – weeping and gnashing of teeth ( Matt. 8:12, 25:30, 22:13 ) – FINAL judgment!

Matt. 25:1-13 – “That day” 25:1-13 – The kingdom likened to 10 virgins 5 were wise (prepared), 5 were foolish (unprepared) Being “invited” could indicate those in the kingdom. If so, this teaches possibility of apostasy – Gal. 5:4, 1 Cor. 9:27, …

Matt. 25:1-13 – “That day” 25:1-13 – The kingdom likened to 10 virgins Those unprepared are left out and rejected, “I do not know you” – Matt. 7:21-23 Message: Watch – you don’t know when He will come.

Destruction of Jerusalem & the world contrasted – Matt Jerusalem (AD 70)End of World (???) Time identified Lk. 21:20 Time unknown – 24:36 “This generation”- 24:34 “Those days” – 24:19, 22 “That day & hour” – 24:36, 42-44, 25:13 Events prior – specific Abomination – 24:15 Events prior – typical Days of Noah – 24:37-39 Advance warning – fig tree – 24:32-33 NO warning – as a thief 24:43-44 Time to escape - 24:16-18 No time to escape - 24:40-41 Judgment Local – Judea – 24:16 Judgment universal – 25:31-32 CLEARLY, Jesus speaks of two different events!

Application: Premillenialism teaches Lord still to return to earth – signs indicate the time – BUT we see no warning! Realized eschatology (70 AD doctrine) – entire text the same event. Such not consistent with the text!

Application: The Lord will return – ARE YOU PREPARED? When He comes there will be NO second chances! Judgment will be final.

Israel has been judged, so will we. Are you ready?