Chapters 21 to 27 of Matthew’s Gospel focus on the last week of Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem.
The signs of His coming.
Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled 40 years after His death in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed the Second Temple. The Bible teaches that there are two ways to test whether prophets are truly sent from God. First, the words of the prophet must be in line with scripture (Deuteronomy 18:20). Second, the words of the prophet must come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22). The fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy regarding the temple confirms that what He says about His second coming will surely happen.
The Mount of Olives is a significant place in the Old Testament. Zechariah 14:4 prophesies that on the Day of the Lord, the Messiah will stand on the Mount of Olives. The Lord will destroy His enemies and reign as King over all the earth. It is on this significant mountain that Jesus declares His second coming.
The 6 signs of the last days.
- False Christs will lead many astray.
- Great fear because of wars and rumors of wars.
- Famine and earthquakes.
- Christians will experience great tribulation and suffering.
- False prophets will lead many astray.
- Increase lawlessness and love will grow cold.
Jesus uses birth pains to describe the increasing intensity of suffering as the time of His second coming approaches. Jesus calls us to strengthen our faith so that we can stand firm until the end. The church is called to continue preaching the Gospel to the nations despite the increasing opposition.
Read Matthew 24:1-14
Read Zechariah 14:4. What is significant about the Mount of Olives?
What are the signs of the last days before Christ comes again?
In verse 13-14, what instruction does Jesus give His disciples in the last days?
The events during Jesus’ second coming.
Right before Jesus’ second coming, the anti-Christ will be revealed. Daniel 9:27 prophecies that the anti-Christ will first form an alliance with God’s people. But after a short while, he will prevent God’s people from worshiping God. The anti-Christ will usher the greatest time of terror for God’s people. Christians will not be raptured before the tribulation. The climax of suffering will be so intense that even the strongest believer will lose faith. We must be on guard against deception because many people will claim to be anointed saviors. Since Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, He will return from heaven.
Jesus promises that He will return with a mighty army to save His people going through the tribulation. The imagery of the sun, moon and stars point to God’s judgment against evil on the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:10, Joel 2:10). Just like in the days of Egypt, the Lord will deliver His people with great signs and wonders. All those who persecuted and killed God’s people will face God’s judgment. God’s people will experience heavy persecution during the tribulation but we will be saved.
Read Matthew 24:15-31
How does Jesus describe the tribulation?
What promise does Jesus give His people?
The time of Jesus’ second coming.
Jesus calls us not to be fearful of the tribulation because it signals that we are getting closer to His coming. His second coming will usher in a new age when there the universe will be recreated into something better (Revelation 21:1-5). We should be on guard against people who claim they know when Christ will come again because only God knows.
Jesus calls us to be watchful and always prepared because He will come at an unexpected time. We must be careful not to get caught up with our own life that we neglect God’s call of salvation. Jesus calls us to be faithful stewards of God’s blessings to care for others. Faithful stewards of earthly things will be made stewards of heavenly things.
Read Matthew 24:32-51
When will Jesus come again?
How should we live our lives in light of Jesus’ second coming?
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