📅 January 22: Matthew 24: Signs of the End Times and the Coming of the Son of Man

Daily Bible Readings January
, , ,
1

Day22-mat24v0
Day22-mat24v01024×1024 90.5 KB

:date: January 22: Matthew 24: Signs of the End Times and the Coming of the Son of Man

Deciphering Eschatological Prophecies and the Promise of Christ’s Return

:earth_africa: Introduction

Today, we immerse ourselves in Matthew 24, a chapter rich in eschatological teaching. Here, Jesus discusses the signs of the end times and His eventual return, providing both warnings and hope.

:star2: Matthew 24: The Olivet Discourse

Jesus’ discourse on the Mount of Olives outlines the events leading to the end times, including false messiahs, wars, natural disasters, and persecution, culminating in His glorious return.

:scroll: Key Verse: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” — Matthew 24:42

:sparkles: Key Themes and Reflections:

Signs of the End Times: Jesus describes various signs and events, urging vigilance and discernment as the world moves towards its final destiny.

Perseverance in Faith: The chapter highlights the need for steadfastness in faith amidst trials, emphasizing that endurance leads to salvation.

The Certainty of Christ’s Return: Despite uncertainties about the timing, the promise of Christ’s return is a central tenet of Christian hope.

:bulb: Today’s Application:

Reflect on the transient nature of worldly events and the eternal significance of Christ’s teachings. Evaluate how prepared you are for Christ’s return and how you can live a life of readiness and faithfulness.

:mag: Hidden Gem:

Did you know? The illustration of the fig tree in Matthew 24:32–35 symbolizes the need to recognize the signs of the times and respond appropriately.

:thought_balloon: Reflective Q&A:

:earth_africa: Matthew 24: Eschatological Teachings

:question: Interpreting the Signs of the Times: How does Matthew 24 guide us in understanding and responding to current world events?

A: This chapter encourages us to view world events through the lens of scripture, discerning the signs without fear, and focusing on living a life that honors God as we anticipate Christ’s return.

:question: Living in Expectation of Christ’s Return: How can we live in a state of readiness for Christ’s return?

A: Living in expectation involves cultivating a deep relationship with Christ, engaging in consistent prayer, and being active in faith and service. It’s about being spiritually vigilant and morally responsible.

:speech_balloon: Join the Discussion:

How does the promise of Christ’s return shape your worldview and daily life? Share how you stay spiritually alert and ready in the comments below!

#Matthew24 #EndTimes #SecondComing #Faith #Vigilance #BibleStudy #SpiritualJourney

:date: See You Tomorrow in Matthew: Journey with us as we continue to explore the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.

:star2:Join the forum!

Discover more and deepen your understanding in our AIgniteScripture Community:

Free Members: Join lively discussions and access various biblical resources. Sign up here: 🌟 How to Join Page - Membership Options

Supporters Membership ($20/month or $200/year): Access in-depth insights, newsletters, and special forum areas. Join as a Supporter: 🌟 How to Join Page - Membership Options

:love_letter: Stay Updated with our AIgniteScripture Newsletter: Follow daily readings and insights. Subscribe now: https://newsletter.aignitescripture.com/

2

Matthew 24
Known as the ‘Olivet Prophecy,’ this wonderful outline of the future of Jerusalem by the Lord Yahshua is recorded in three of the Gospel records (Mat. 24; Mk. 13 and Lk. 21). To get the full import of the message, all three should be considered together. In Mat. 23:38 Yahshua said “Behold your house is left unto you desolate,” and in ch. 24:1-2, he departed from the temple never to return. ‘Desolate indeed.’ The language of v. 2 rings of that in Lev. 14:44-45 which deals with the law of leprosy in an unclean house, “He shall break down the house.” • The chapter sets out: [1] Christ predicts the destruction of the temple: vv. 1-2. [2] Three significant questions: v. 3. [3] First answer: When will the end of the age come?: vv. 4-14. [4] Second answer: The sign of the Parousia-coming: vv. 15-28. [5] Third answer: The sign of when “these things” will be: vv. 29-36. [6] The final appearance: vv. 37-39. [7] The need for watchfulness: vv. 40-44. [8] Parable of the faithful and evil servants: vv. 45-51. • The word ‘verily’ in v. 2 is equivalent to the Hebrew ‘amen,’ a most remarkable word, and often employed by the Lord Yahshua in his discussions with the people. The word is directly related and almost identical to the Hebrew word for “believe” (aman’), or “faithful.” Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly,” an expression of absolute trust and confidence. In v. 3 certain of his disciples came to ask instruction from the Lord. • Mark 13:3 records that they were Peter, James, John and Andrew. They put three questions to Yahshua in v. 3. [1] “When shall these things be?” [2] “What shall be the sign of thy coming?” [3] “… And of the end of the world.” Verses 3, 14 and 21 all contain the word ‘world’ and each time it is a different word. Verse 3 has the Greek ‘aion’ which is the word for “age,” signifying a certain period of time. Verse 14 has ‘oikoumene’, the word for habitable. Verse 21 has ‘kosmos,’ the word for “order of things.” In answer the Lord gave a beautiful prophecy, which would have its effect within forty years, through the overthrow of Jerusalem in ad70. But more importantly, it is also typical of the destruction of ‘Babylon the Great’ (Rev. 18:2) which we believe is imminent. The generation of Yahshua’s day saw the destruction of the temple by the Roman Forces. Our generation will see the Gogian Confederacy with its power sitting on Mount Zion, albeit briefly (Dan. 11:45). The generation of Yahshua’s day was “an evil and adulterous generation” (Mat. 12:39). Our generation shall be as when Yahweh flooded the earth with water, as in the days of Noah, and covered Sodom with salt as in the days of Lot (Lk. 17:26-27). • The generation of Yahshua’s day heard God speak through His Son for He “hath in these last days spoken unto us by a Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds” (Heb. 1:2). The prophet Isaiah said of the days of the return of the Lord Yahshua Christ, “Yahweh shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies. I have long time holden My peace; I have been still, and refrained Myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once” (Isa. 42:13-14). “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” • Both Matthew chapters 24 and 25 are known as ‘The Olivet Prophecy,’ the background being chs. 19-23, the last days of our Lord prior to his crucifixion. The fascinating opening to this prophecy shows that the Lord Yahshua ‘departed from the temple’ having stated that their house would be left unto the nation desolate, and the disciples wanted to show him all of the outer buildings and structural basis of the temple as a guarantee of its permanence. Then in v. 2 Yahshua showed them the power of the Word and the Law, in relation to false worship. He explained that this building of man will become the subject of the Law of Leprosy (Lev. 14:44-46), declaring, “there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” The temple had become tainted with man’s philosophy not His Father’s Word. Having said that he would not again enter into the temple, he went out to the Mount of Olives. From this mount, on which the Lord and his disciples then sat, the whole of the city, and particularly the temple, were clearly seen. • It was the day before the slaying of the Passover sacrifice. In the prophecy of this chapter, there is a double reference: first, to the impending destruction of the temple, and as connected with this, the overthrow of the Jewish state and nation; secondly, to the end of the world. Both these events are included in the three questions of the disciples (v. 3), who seem to have connected them as inseparable from each other. The providential coming of the Son of man to destroy the city and temple, which was to be fulfilled in AD70 before that generation had passed away, shadows forth, therefore, his more awful and majestic personal coming at “the end of the world.” So far as the outward form of the prophecy is concerned, the first part is more occupied with the nearer event; the later, with the more distant. But it was not the Master’s purpose to reveal distinctly the separation of the two by a vast interval of time. • The signs of the approaching catastrophe – wars, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, persecution, false prophets, etc. – had a fulfilment, as the history of those times shows, in respect to its nearer fulfilment in the destruction of Jerusalem AD70. Another fulfilment remains for the last days, hence the importance to us “watch therefore” (v. 42). The overthrow of Jerusalem in AD70 is an historical fact recorded for posterity. In this remarkable event so accurately fulfilled, is the certainty of the second part of the prophecy also being fulfilled. Note certain statements: v. 8, “the beginning of sorrows” the word sorrows is the Greek odin (o-deen’), a pang or throe, especially of childbirth, and is also translated: pain, sorrow, travail. As such the travail pains were to grow in intensity, until they reached their climax at the end of the age. In v. 14, the Gospel preached in all the world (habitable) had a fulfilment in Paul’s day, for when in Rome, the centre of the habitable, his teaching spread far and wide (Col. 1:23). • The words in Mat. 24:29-30 could not be taken literally as Yahweh is the Power of heaven. Rather it has reference to the ‘political heavens and earth’. The world governmental scene today is dramatic, but is about to be replaced by the glorious reign of the Lord Yahshua and his illustrious saints. — Logos.