QUESTION #36 See ye not all these things?

  QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED BIBLE STUDY

    Read Matthew 24 KJV: 

 

  See ye not all these things? (Matthew 24:2)

 

SIGNS OF THE END

Reference: Matthew 24, 25; Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:5-36

 

The Olivet Disclosure is the last major teaching section of Jesus, that he gave on the Mount of Olives, as recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Matthew 24 & 25; Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:5-36). It deals with the signs of Jesus’ return and events associated with it. Matthew has the longest version and begins with the disciples asking Jesus what will be the signs of His coming, and the end of the world (Matthew 24:3).

 

Jesus was leaving the temple when the disciples called His attention to the magnificent buildings of the temple. Jesus then asked his disciples, “See ye not all these things?” He told them that not one stone would be left upon another, they would all be thrown down. This prophecy was literally fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. The temple was burned. The gold in the temple melted in the fire and ran down into the cracks between the stones. As people later searched for the gold, they toppled every stone from its place. This destruction of Jerusalem was but a foreshadowing of what is yet to come.

 

The temple was destroyed, and yet Jesus still hasn’t returned as of today 2021 -- but the disciples didn’t and couldn’t have known that. They assumed that the destruction of the temple would be the climatic event of the end times. They didn’t realize that it would only be the beginning. Therefore, as we listen to what Jesus said by way of response, we have to remember that He is talking about a near future, and a far future, and we have to understand which is which.

 

Jesus begins His discourse with a warning, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ, and deceive many.” Jesus went on to say that there will be great tribulation, such as never has been seen, nor ever shall be. And expect those days be shortened no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Jesus warns a second time that there will arise false Christs and false prophets, showing such great signs and wonders that if it were possible the very elect would be deceived (Matthew 24:21-25). How can we protect our self from being deceived? We can know them (false prophets, false ministers, false religions) by their fruits (discussed earlier in this study - page 16).

 

There are a couple of key indicators in the text. Look for examples in verse 6 and 8. After talking about some things that would happen Jesus says, “but the end is not yet,” and “all these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”

 

The end is not yet. This is just the beginning. Jesus seems to be saying that a bunch of things are going to happen that are NOT the end times events the disciples were thinking they were. Things like wars, like the rise and fall of empires, things like massive disasters. Those things are not signals of the end -- rather they are pointers -- pointing to the end. They are the beginning of birth pains, but the end has not come - yet.

 

After these things we are to watch for a couple of indicators. Watch for the Great Commission to be completed in an environment of increasing persecution, tribulation, false religion and apostasy; then the end will come. Look at verse 14: 

 

·      “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the whole world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).

 

Following that, there will be a short season of intense persecution and tribulation after which:

 

·      Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Matthew 24:29-31).

 

That is the end.

 

Even so, come Lord Jesus!

 

Jesus ends the Olivet Disclosure with four parables. The first one concerns a wicked servant whose master punishes him upon his return home (Matthew 24:45-51). The next, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, encourages readiness and watchfulness (Matthew 25:1-13). The third parable, tells the story of three servants and their use (or misuse) of finances, teaches faithfulness in view of the fact that God’s servants must give an account of themselves one day (Matthew 25:14-30). Jesus ends His discourse by telling the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, which pictures the dividing of the saved from the unsaved on Judgement Day (Matthew 25:31-46). As in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus identifies Himself as the final Judge.

 

People are very interested in end time events. Some think that when they see these things taking place they will have time to get ready to meet the Lord. What they fail to realize is that the end can come at any time -- for them. The key is to be ready at all times!

 

Yes! Even so, come Lord Jesus!

 

Notes: