TEXT:

‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ – Matthew 24:3

THOUGHT:

In this teaching on “A Returning Jesus”, we will see how Jesus answered the third question His disciples asked, “What will be the sign of the end of the age?” Today’s Teaching ends with how we can prepare for the return of Christ.

WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN OF THE END OF THE AGE?

Jesus guided His disciples as to when the end of the age would occur.

• Great trouble nationally can cause Christians to wrongly think the end has come – ‘All these things must come to pass but the end is not yet’– Matthew 24:6

The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple was bad enough, but there is worse to come. So it was with WW1. I am sure that many thought that was the end Jesus referred to, especially after the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Azusa Street, California in 1904 which spread to churches throughout the world and became the impetus for vigorous evangelism. But after that WW2 with even greater casualties and destruction. Since then many more wars yet still no return of Christ.

• There is a difference between the beginning and the end – ‘All these are the beginning of sorrows’ – Matthew 24:8

We are living in the in-between period. There is no clear indication in scripture that the Church age (the period since Christ ascended) would be so long, other than in Peter’s epistle. To answer the question, ‘Where is the promise of His coming’ he wrote ‘But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent’ – 2 Peter 3:4, 8-9 NLT.  It appears that the Gospel writers including the Apostles Peter and Paul had no real understanding as to how long it would be before Christ returned. Nearly two thousand years have passed and He still has not come!

• Christians need staying power to stay true to the end – ‘He who endures to the end shall be saved’ – Matthew 24:13

Many can start a race but not everyone will reach the finishing line. I am saddened by the number of people I meet who used to have a faith, used to go church regularly, used to evangelise but stopped!  Paul said, ‘I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ – 2 Timothy 4:7. If you are one of the ones who used to but, then it is time to get back to what you once believed.

• The end of this age as we know it will occur when Jesus returns literally to earth

We know where Jesus ascended from – the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12) and that is where He will return. – Zechariah 14:4. Nobody knows the exact date (of His return) so beware of anyone claiming they do.

HOW WE CAN PREPARE FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST

Jesus told His disciples to watch! There are several key aspects to watch out for.

• Watch out that we do not get offended – Matthew 24:10

A Christian can end up hating and betraying fellow believers. How terrible when Jesus said, ‘By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’ – John 13:35. Proverbs warns us, ‘It is harder to win back the friendship of an offended brother than to capture a fortified city. His anger shuts you out like iron bars’ – 18:19. How many Christians are not going to church because they got offended and did not go and sort it out?

• Watch out that your love does not grow cold because of lawlessness – Matthew 24:12

The indictment against God’s people found in the Book of Judges was, ‘Every man did that which was right in his own eyes’ – 21:25. Israel may not have had a king to lead them but they still had a holy God who had given His commandments to be obeyed. Do not leave your first love like the church at Ephesus did – Revelation 2:4. Christians are on earth to affect the world, not for the world to mould them!

• Watch out because you do not know the exact time of Christ’s return – Mark 13:33

Neither do any of us know how long we have left on this earth. Christians will either die and go to be with Christ, or Christ will return for us while we are still alive. Either way we need to be ready, not asleep spiritually.

• Watch out and pray that you may escape the wrath of God – Luke 21:36

We do not have to live in fear of the wrath of God, for we have passed from death to life. We can live in faith that we are saved. However this is not to be taken for granted nor lightly. We are not to see how close to the edge we can live but to stay away from it altogether!

Jesus gave His disciples as much information as He could. His humanity limited His omniscience while He was on earth. The apostles Peter and Paul had further revelation to stimulate and encourage believers and churches alike. The future is always harder to see than the past. This is why we need God’s gift of faith. Jesus said, ‘When the Son of man returns will He really find faith on the earth?’ – Luke 18:8. Another way of putting it, “Will He really find God’s faith in you?”

In conclusion, someone once gave this wise advice which we would all do well to follow.

“Make plans like Jesus is coming tomorrow, but live your life as if He is returning today!”