1. The Signs of Christ’s Coming – Part 6 The Final Generation Matthew 24: 32 - 35 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. ” (24:34-35)

2. Timeline of Passover Week Monday – Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt to a Messiah’s welcome Tuesday – Jesus cleansed temple of sacrifice merchants and money changers Wednesday – He entered the city again and on the way He cursed the fig tree – The Judgment Parables While teaching in the temple courts, the religious leaders questioned the source of his authority Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders through the parable of the tenants Jesus condemns the multitudes through the parable of the wedding banquet Wednesday – Responses to Three Questions Jesus answers the question regarding payment of taxes to Caesar Jesus answers the question regarding the resurrection Jesus answers the question regarding the greatest commandment –Jesus questions the Pharisees – Whose son is Christ? –Jesus’ final public sermon – False Spiritual Leaders –Olivet Discourse - Jesus leaves the Temple, goes to the Mount of Olives and talks with His disciples about his second coming

3. Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24 – 25 Mount of Olives

4. The Olivet Discourse Matthew 24 – 25 – Commonly known as the Olivet Discourse – Delivered to the disciples on the Mount of Olives – Theme – Christ’s second coming – Prompted by disciples’ question in 24:3 – “Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” – Answer is the longest given to any question asked in the New Testament

5. The blessed hope of Christian The blessed hope of every Christian is the return of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:8) Believers anticipate the day when they will “all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” and their mortal and perishable bodies put on the imperishable and immortal (1 Cor. 15:51-53), when “death is swallowed up in victory” (I Cor. 15:54), and when “the saints will judge the world” (I Cor. 6:2). They look forward to the day when they will be “absent from the body and... at home with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8)

6. When is His second coming(vv. 32-35) The parable in Matt. 24:32-35 summarizes and illustrates what Jesus had just said to His disciples and acts as a transition to His answer to the disciples’ question in verse 3 about when His coming would be. In this parable and its explanation, four elements can be discerned: 1.An Uncomplicated Analogy “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” (Matt. 24:32) 2.An Unmistakable Application “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (Matt. 24:33-34) 3.An Unprecedented Alteration “Heaven and earth will pass away.” (Matt. 24:35a) 4.An Unchanging Authority “but my words will never pass away. (Matt. 24:35b)

7. 1. An Uncomplicated Analogy (v. 32) Parables had a two-fold purpose in Jesus’ ministry. – When unexplained, they concealed truth; when explained, they revealed truth. When Jesus gave a parable to the multitudes or to the unbelieving religious leaders without also giving an explanation, it was a riddle to them. – When He gave a parable to His disciples and explained it, it was a vivid illustration that made a truth clear and understandable. This parable is simple and uncomplicated. – Palestine had an abundance of fig trees. – He reminded them of a commonly known fact about a fig tree: “when its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” – Summer is when the ripened figs would be harvested. The harvest symbolizes a time of rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked. – In this present parable of the fig tree Jesus was simply illustrating to His disciples that, when the signs He had just been describing begin to happen, the time of His return will be very near. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.”(24:32)

8. Fig tree and twig

9. 2. An Unmistakable Application (v. 33-34) These things refer to what He has been talking about – the birth pains (vv. 4-14) – the abomination that causes desolation (v. 15) – the need to flee because of impending perils (vv. 16-28) – the catastrophic upheaval of the universe (v. 29). These things will indicate that it – the kingdom of God – is near, just as the budding fig tree indicates that summer, the harvest time, is near. “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (24:33-34)

10. 2. An Unmistakable Application (v. 33-34) This generation refers to the generation living during the end time. – The signs of Matthew 24-25 will be experienced within one generation, the generation living when Christ returns. Many people hold various opinions on the meaning of “this generation.” – Refers to the disciple’s generation. – Refers to the Jewish people – Refers to the Christ rejecting people of Jesus’ day Just as the budding of fig leaves means it is not long until summer, so the generation alive when the signs occur will not have long to wait for Christ’s appearance. – Those who witness the birth pains will witness the birth. “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (24:33-34)

11. 2. An Unmistakable Application (v. 33-34) Books of Daniel and Revelation make clear that the total time of the Tribulation will be only seven years, and the period of the Great Tribulation, in which the signs will appear, will only be 3-1/2 years. (Dan. 12:7 & Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6) This generation will be composed of Jew and Gentiles who are alive at the rapture but are not taken up because they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. Among that generation, however, will be many who will later come to salvation during the Tribulation. “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (24:33-34)

12. An Unprecedented Alteration (v. 35a) That expression first appears in 5:18, where it is not primarily used as a prophecy but as an analogy to express the enduring quality of the Word of God. The universe will fail, but what Jesus has said will not fail to come to complete fulfillment. “Heaven and earth will pass away.” (24:35a)

13. An Unchanging Authority (v. 35b) “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law” that is His Word, “to fail.” (Luke 16:17) It is not possible for the Word of God to be broken. (John 10:35), including what Jesus says about the end time. “but my words will never pass away. “(24:35b)

14. Conclusion When the “birth pain” signs begin on a worldwide scale, you will know that the return of Jesus Christ is near, just as when the fig twigs get tender, you know that summer is near. His coming will occur during the lifetime of the generation of people living at that time. His revealing of his glory will not be prolonged over a lengthy period of time; – it will be quick – it will be instantaneously visible to the whole world – and it will be awe-inspiring as never experienced before.