Bible Study from Matthew 24:1-25
Do you ever wonder or worry about the end of time? I don’t dwell on it but yes, sometimes the thought does cross my mind.
In this lesson we read that Jesus tells the future about His second coming on the Mount of Olives.
In Matthew, Jesus tells about His return in several passages.
He gives His thoughts about false teachers and the end times in this reading of Matthew.
When He came down from the Mount of Olives He shared with the disciples what they should look for.
We too should remain watchful but not worry about the end times. Our days are better spent trying to live our lives for Christ. Read what the Scripture says below about the second coming of Christ and our future.
Jesus Tells the Future about His Second Coming on Mount Of Olives
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. – Matthew 24:3-14 NASB
Things to Come – Jesus Describes the End Times
Zechariah, the prophet, had predicted in the Old Testament (Zechariah 14:4) that the Christ would stand on the Mount of Olives and establish his kingdom.
The setting fits the questions the disciples asked about the end times, and when He would return.
Jesus described the signs to look for when the end of the age was near. He did not get into specific dates.
The emphasis was more about the disciples being prepared for His coming than about worrying about when these things would happen.
Jesus told the disciples to watch for the deceivers who would come.
He instructed them to live the way God wanted so they would be ready, no matter when the date came.
How about us? Are We Prepared for the Future Christ Predicted?
Contrary to what many believe, Christians in many parts of the world are facing persecution as we speak. Now, with the ISIS situation, we see this very clearly.
For example: Not very long ago in China a young woman in her twenties was arrested for printing an underground Christian newsletter.
She was taken to jail. While there she was subject to all sorts of punishment.
One such punishment was that she had to remove her shoes and walk all night long, back and forth in front of a door so that the guards could see her.
After walking barefoot for hours on a floor made of rock and cement she saw footprints on the stone floor. She realized they were made from blood on her feet!
She was eventually released from jail and forced to work in a factory. Her job was making Christmas tree lights to ship to the United States.
“and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”
Not to just single out China but, during the Olympic Games a group of Christians had their Bibles confiscated at the airport.
This was nothing more than an inconvenience, but it was subtle persecution just the same.
This is just a beginning of the many signs Jesus gave when He predicted the events of the future.
When Will Christ Return?
My answer is; I don’t know. We see signs every day but no one can be certain of the time and date. What did Jesus say about the end times? He says to watch for false prophets who claim to be Him. In Matthew 24:23-25, He says;
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him.
For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
Behold, I have told you in advance.” – Matthew 24:23-25 NASB
Jesus Tells the Future – We Should Remain Watchful
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0718079868″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51etzg9T2OL.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”106″]The lesson for us is to be watchful. Don’t worry so much about the exact time Christ will return.
We need to ready ourselves by striving to be the people God wants us to be. We already know who wins in the end.
Love in Christ
– Bob
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