Bible Study - Return (3) - Watch for CHRIST'S Return - Matthew 24:23-31 - May 8, 2022

 

Bible Study – Return (3) – Watch for CHRIST’S Return – May 8, 2022

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled, “CHRIST’S Return: Living with the End in Mind.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 24:23-31.

When CHRIST returns everyone will know it.

Satan is the master of deception and confusion. We as humans get very tired of being led to a certain belief only to discover that it is false. We quickly get discouraged and end up missing the truth.

JESUS was teaching HIS disciples then and HIS disciples today. Satan is a trickster and deception is in his bag of tricks. But Spirit-born people (the elect) have the Holy Spirit Who in dwells them to keep them focused on the truth. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 24:23-25:

²³ “If anyone tells you then, ‘See, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ Take note: I have told you in advance. 

JESUS was giving HIS disciples then and HIS disciples today a heads up. The old saying goes, to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

JESUS was talking about the end times and as we approach the end times there will be an increase in deception. Why? Satan desires to harvest as many followers for himself, as he can, before the end. Satan still believes he will win the battle for the souls of the people of earth.

What do we, who know the truth, need to keep in our hearts and minds? It is recorded in 1 John 4:4:

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS/Holy Spirit) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).

What, as a Spirit-born person do you know? The Apostle John recorded it in the first part of this scripture, “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[a] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

What else do we, who know the truth, know? Ephesians 4:7-8:

⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

JESUS defeated Satan and we, who know the truth, can enjoy that victory. We must suit up for battle each day as the Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 6. When a person is in battle, he or she will be shot at but protected by the equipment GOD/Holy Spirit provides.

In the end times Satan’s strategy is to cause confusion by putting out propaganda e.g., the Messiah is over there or in that place, run to see Him but when they go to that place, they see or find nothing. It is again, the old story when a person falsely cries, wolf, when there is no wolf, people ignore the cry when the real wolf shows up.

Brothers and sisters in CHRIST, study, know and apply GOD’S Word and be in prayer for the days are evil.

JESUS continues HIS teaching -----

Let’s read Matthew 24:26-29:

²⁶ So if they tell you, ‘See, he’s in the wilderness!’ don’t go out; or, ‘See, he’s in the storerooms!’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever the carcass is, there the vultures^[g] will gather.

Satan’s deception will be rampart. GOD will give those who know the truth visible signs – lightning follows a pattern and so does GOD. Where do we find truth? In GOD’S Word. How do we discover the truth of GOD’S Word? The Holy Spirit reveals truth. There is no decay in truth, therefore no vultures. When you see vultures, it is a clue that there is something dead. But a person must know the true living word to be able to separate truth from error.

Such deception will result in distress ---

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁹ “Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 

The word “distress” carries the idea of “pressing in.” When you press something together you squeeze together or bring what is being squeezed closer to each other. The entire earth will experience this squeezing.

Interesting – We know that the sun is our light source. If sun light is obscured it will influence the light of the moon since moon light is reflected light from the sun. Our universe is in balance and if there is a major shift in the universe, it impacts its balance. This will be a very visible event and will get the attention of earthlings.

This is exactly what GOD desires because the end times are not taking place in secret but are very visible to all. GOD’S message is, get ready because your time upon earth is nearing the end.

Let’s read Matthew 24:30-31:

³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth^[h] will mourn;^[i] and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Who is the “Son of Man?” Th Prophet Daniel used this reference in Daniel 17:13 - “I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.

In Daniel 18:17:

¹⁷ So he came near where I stood, and when he came, I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.”

The term, “Son of Man,” was a title that JESUS liked to use, when referring to Himself. JESUS was GOD’S only SON born as a human, yet divine.

When the peoples of earth see the sign of the Son of Man appear, they will know the truth and that the end has arrived. They will mourn because they realize they have been deceived and embraced a lie.

The word “sign” in verse 30 carries the idea “to designate something miraculous or merely unusual.” The key is that it will be notable and send the right message. The end has arrived!!! Those who are ready will be taken and those not ready will be left behind and for those left behind it will not be pleasant.

Then it all depends upon which millennial theory is correct. That is why I believe in the Pan-theory. It will all Pan out in the end The key is to be ready to meet JESUS whenever our FATHER gives the nod to JESUS to return.

JESUS teaches HIS Children to stay focused, to watch, wait and to keep our lamps burning because no one knows when the bridegroom is coming. JESUS said, “Stay alert and ready.” Do not get distracted by the tricks of Satan but keep your eyes upon JESUS.

Do you recall the event when JESUS was walking upon water and Peter wanted to join HIM? JESUS told Peter to come on and he did. As long as Peter kept his eyes upon JESUS, he walked upon water but as soon as he looked at the angry waves he began to sink. JESUS reached out to Peter and led him safely to the boat and safety.

JESUS is always there for HIS Children. Our part is to stay alert, focused, watch and pray because JESUS is coming to earth again. In last weeks lesson, we explored several millennial theories. But what does JESUS tell us? Stay alert, watch, wait, ready, pray and study GOD’S Word.

What does scripture reveal to us in Mathew 24:36 - ³⁶ “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son^[a] —except the Father alone.  Blessings!!!