Did the World Really End Yesterday?

Matthew 24

Bud Wrenn  5.22.11

Matthew 24:1-3 (NLT) ¹ As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings.   ² But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
³ Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

Matthew 16:27 (NLT)  For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds.

Key questions:  The Second Coming

1) What must happen first?

Matthew 24:5-9 (NLT)   For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray. [6] And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. [7] The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. [8] But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. [9] "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me. ..... [14] And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.

è Increased intensity of

Ø Spiritual Apostasy,

Ø International & religious conflicts,

Ø Natural disasters,

Ø Personal Individualism,

Ø Religious persecution,

Ø Worldwide Evangelism.

2) Where will it happen?

Acts 1:11-12 (NLT)   They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!"   [12] The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem.

èJerusalem:  Possibly the Mount of Olives

3) How will it happen?

Matthew 24:30-31 (NLT) And then at last, the sign of the coming of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the nations of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And he will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

è Truth revealed to those who rejected Christ.

è Salvation of those who followed Christ.

Rev. 19:11, 14-15 (NLT)     Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and then goes to war.... [14] The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses. [15] From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God.

è The military defeat of those who opposed God

4) Why will it happen?

John 14:3 (NLT)  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

è The ultimate uniting of Christ and His true followers.

Rev. 21:1-4 (NLT)   Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. [2] And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.

    [3] I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. [4] He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."

è Establishment of the rule of the Son in God's eternal Kingdom.

6) When will it happen?

Matthew 24:36 (NLT) ³⁶ “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

è Known only to God the Father

Matthew 24:29-30 (NLT)   "Immediately after those horrible days end,

        the sun will be darkened,

            the moon will not give light,

        the stars will fall from the sky,

            and the powers of heaven will be shaken.

[30] And then at last, the sign of the coming of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the nations of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

è The close of the Tribulation Period