Bible Study - Return (2) - Know What's Coming - Matthew 24:15-22 - May 1, 2022

 

Bible Study – Return (2) – Know What’s Coming – May 1, 2022

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled, “CHRIST’S Return: Living with the End in Mind.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 24:15-22.

Even in the darkest times, GOD has not abandoned HIS people.

Let’s begin with Matthew 24:14 from our last study, “¹⁴ This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world (inhabited) as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

GOD’S redemptive plan is not hidden from all who seek HIM. Even nature longs to be redeemed from death and decay. Why does GOD go to such detail to reach every person upon earth? It is because HE loves them with an everlasting love and JESUS willingly came to earth as the vital part of GOD’S redemptive plan to redeem all who place their faith in JESUS.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 24:15-16:

The Great Tribulation

¹⁵ “So when you see the abomination of desolation,^[c] spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place” (let the reader understand), ¹⁶ “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. 

What is “the abomination of desolation?” It was spoken by the Prophet Daniel in the Old Testament. It refers to a desecration (defilement) of the temple or altar in Jerusalem with pagan worship as predicted by the Prophet Daniel.

Here is where the Old Testament and the New Testament come together to help us to understand future events. The Old Testament writings foresaw an intertestamental historical event as they should be since GOD is the author of both the Old and New Testaments.

¹⁶ “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.” Judea refers to Jews. Of all the people groups, the Jews, are looking for and anticipating the coming of the promised Messiah. When they witness these things taking place, they are to take action because the end is at hand. There will be 144, 000 Jewish evangelists preaching salvation through faith in JESUS. 12,000 X 12 Tribes = 144,000 = Great Revival!!!  

[The “abomination of desolation” refers to a physical location. As an example, such a defilement occurred in 167 BC when the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes (215 BC-164 BC) ruled Palestine. In an effort to humiliate the Jews in Judea and Samaria, Antiochus erected an altar of Zeus in the Jerusalem temple. He also sacrificed pigs on the altar in Jerusalem (the worse kind of desecration). He even made practicing Judaism a capital offense. In 164 BC, the Jews, led by Judas (“the Hammer”) Maccabeus (ca 190 BC – 160 BC), liberated the city, destroyed the pagan idols, and reconsecrated the temple.  (Copied from Page 109, Bible Studies for Life, One Lifeway Plaza, Nashville, TN and much in this study is gleaned from that printed material.)]

Bible scholars differ on when the reference in Matthew occurred. Some, believe it happened when the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans. It is not certain this is the event prophesy was referring. That is how GOD wants it to be. GOD desires for Christians to stay on high alert and to be about HIS business. Christians are lights in a world of darkness. People are going into eternity every day because of physical death.

A few years after the 167 BC event and persecution of the Jews, the Jews were able to rededicate the temple and dedicate a new altar. This commemorated Hanukkah or the “Festival of Lights.”

Many believe there is yet to be a desecration when the anti-Christ attempts to declare himself God. That means the temple has to be rebuilt in Jerusalem for the anti-Christ to defile it. This is another sign to watch for.

What is the Good News of faith in JESUS? As a Spirit-born person, the Holy Spirit dwells within every person.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:

¹⁵ For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[e] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[f] one another with these words.

The Apostle Paul anticipated JESUS coming to earth, with those Spirit-born believers who are in Heaven coming with HIM and joining with the Spirit-born believers alive upon earth. All will receive their Glorified bodies and all be taken to Heaven in their Glorified bodies. Those not Spirit-born will be left behind. This gives rise to another issue, the millennium.

The Bible records that there will be a millennium or the thousand-year rule of CHRIST upon earth. When is it going to take place? Keep in mind that JESUS and all the redeemed are in Heaven in their Glorified bodies, if the rapture theory is correct. Here we have to consider Revelation.

Let’s read Revelation 20:1-15:

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven holding the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan,^[a] and bound him for a thousand years. ³ He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time.

Here is an “I think.” Consider Satan being bound for 1,000 years. He is not free to roam around earth seeking who he can devour.

In 1 Peter 5:8: ⁸ Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

GOD binds Satan/devil for 1,000 years. How do the people of the world function without the interference of Satan? I think it is to condemn Satan as the purveyor of evil in the world. It is the proof that sentences Satan and his operatives to an eternal Hell. Keep in mind that Hell was made for Satan, his angels and the unredeemed through faith in JESUS. The shed blood of JESUS is the only redemptive power to cleanse a person from his or her sin and receive the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family for eternity. It is free but requires each person to make a decision to either accept or reject JESUS as his or her Savior.

During this period there are the left-behind people who will sin because of their fallen nature. This highlights a person’s need for a Savior, JESUS. There is a level of functionality in the world without Satan but there is a need for JESUS to complete the Spirituality of the unredeemed mankind, who are living with those redeemed in their Glorified bodies who are functioning according to GOD’S plan.

The Saints Reign with Christ

⁴ Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed.

This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power^[b] over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

The resurrection of the Christian dead and the rapture of Spirit-born Christians who are alive will happen in an instant at JESUS’ return. These are not subject to the second death but they will serve as priests of GOD and CHRIST for 1,000 years.

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

⁷ When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea. ⁹ They came up across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven^[c] and consumed them. ¹⁰ The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The Great White Throne Judgment

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. ¹² I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. ¹³ Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. ¹⁴ Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Folks, this is why our loving Savior, JESUS, GOD and those who know the truth desire for all people to know JESUS as their Savior. While we have life in us, there is redemptive hope through faith in JESUS.

Choose wisely my friends, choose wisely because your decision is eternal – Heaven or Hell. To choose Heaven, ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life believing that HE gave HIS sinless life by shedding HIS blood for you. When you ask JESUS into your life the miracle of Spiritual birth takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye and you are conceived Spiritually and become GOD’S Son or Daughter for eternity.

I believe the name of every person born is written in the Lambs Book of Life. Upon their death, if they have not accepted JESUS as their Savior, the person will see their name blotted out of the Lambs Book of Life.

Where do I get such an idea? Ephesians 1:4 - ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c]

There is much debate in the Christians circles how all of this will take place. Case and point, there are at least four diverse millennial views held by the evangelical Christian community:

There are the Premillennialists or belief that JESUS will return just before the literal millennium when CHRIST’S rule begins followed by the judgment. There are some who believe that JESUS will suddenly return, the dead in CHRIST will be raised, and then the millennium will begin followed by the final judgment.

Dispensational Premillennialists

They believe in a two-stage coming of JESUS. First there will be a “rapture.” Christians will be suddenly taken from earth to Heaven. Rapture carries the idea of sudden, “caught up” or “snatched up.”

In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:
¹⁵ For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[e] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[f] one another with these words.

Some believe that there will be a seven-year period for those left upon earth to wonder what happened? Supposedly, there will be a seven-year period of peace. This will be Satan’s lie to make those remaining upon earth believe that the bad people are gone and now everything is just fine. But dispensationalists believe there will be a split during this seven-year period e.g., three- and one-half years of peace and fellowship and the last three- and one-half years of great tribulation. It will be a violet period. The LORD JESUS returns to earth with those who departed/raptured when HE came to earth. This will begin the thousand-year rule of JESUS followed by the judgment.

There is the Postmillennial view which contends that JESUS will not return until after the millennium. This is an idea that after the rapture things will get better. There will be a period of peace and harmony and growth in Christianity. It is after that time; JESUS will return and institute final judgment. 

There is Amillennialism or the belief that “no literal one-thousand-year period” will happen before JESUS returns. They view an earthly kingdom before the judgement in a spiritual or symbolic manner. They interpret the various numbers, animals, and visions written in the Book of Revelation as having symbolic meanings.

Another view, I call the Pan-theory. This came from Dr. Alistair Walker a former pastor. – It is all going to pan out in the end. This is the view I like best.

What is important? Death is imminent. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart. Settle that now. As Christians we are to stay alert, watch and wait. No one knows when the bridegroom comes. Keep your lamps full of oil and ready to burn brightly before GOD shuts the door. The oil is the Holy Spirit.

Some Bible scholars think our next scripture focuses on the time when the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, 70 AD.

Let’s read Matthew 24:17-19:

¹⁷ A man on the housetop^[d] must not come down to get things out of his house, ¹⁸ and a man in the field must not go back to get his coat. ¹⁹ Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! 

What is the message? It is a sense of urgency when a person sees the signs of the end times being fulfilled not to hesitate but flee to shelter – prayer, GOD’S Word, make certain you are Spiritually complete. Do you recall the event of Lot and his wife fleeing Sodom? When the end comes, do not look back but look into the face of JESUS your strength and protector.

Let’s read Matthew 24:20-22:

²⁰ Pray that your escape may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. ²¹ For at that time there will be great distress,^[e] the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again. ²² Unless those days were cut short, no one would^[f] be saved. But those days will be cut short because of the elect.

The key is to stay alert, watch and pray. No one knows the instant when CHRIST will return. JESUS gave information in accordance with the customs of that period of time. Just know that there will be great distress, like never before seen or experienced. This distress will be like nothing earthlings have ever experienced.

Stay ready! Stay focused! The wakeup call will come for all who have received the Good News of JESUS. IT WILL BE THE MIDNIGHT CRY. WOW! AND ROBERT SINGS IT WITH GUSTO. As you flee, call upon the LORD. Rejoice for JESUS has risen and so have all who are Spirit-born. Share the Gospel message as you flee and are led to the safe arms of JESUS.

In fact, if those days were not cut short all would be wiped out.

GOD will prevent total devastation because of the “elect.”

Who are the “elect”? They are all, who know and serve JESUS as their Savior. They have special protection from GOD. The 144,000 Jews?

Christians, you are vital to GOD, JESUS and the earth. We read in 1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Blessings!!!