Bible Study - Return (4) - Trust GOD'S Timing - Matthew 24:32-41 - May 15, 2022

 

Bible Study – Return (4) – Trust GOD’S Timing – May 15, 2022

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “CHRIST’S Return: Living with the End in Mind.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 24:32-41.

JESUS is certain to return even though, only GOD knows when.

JESUS said it. JESUS never said anything without first hearing it from HIS FATHER, GOD and GOD is the only ONE WHO knows when the end comes.

JESUS taught HIS disciples about the end times then and in turn us today. HE gave signs for all people to look for. There have been many times, when those who knew GOD’S Word, thought that the end was near. It is vital that we focus on Verse 36, page 2, in our scripture. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 24:32-33:

The Parable of the Fig Tree

³² “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize^[j] that he^[k] is near—at the door. 

This scripture is the most pointed revelation of end times. The “fig tree” is a reference to Israel. Israel was recognized as an independent state May 14, 1948. JESUS was saying, keep your eyes on Israel and what takes place there regarding the fulfillment of prophesy. According to some Bible scholars, the temple will have to be rebuilt. That means the Muslim temple currently on the dome of the rock will need to be destroyed. Some speculate that an earthquake will make room for the Jewish Temple to be built. The Jewish temple will need to be built and the desecration of desolation will have to take place by the anti-Christ in the Jewish Temple.  

Some think that the Jewish temple can be built adjacent to the Muslim temple today.

This is all speculation.

Let’s read Matthew 24:34-35:

³⁴ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

JESUS used the word, “truly.” Truly carries the idea of pay careful attention to what I am about to tell you. This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. JESUS further under girds HIS statement with, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

JESUS statement, “this generation,” strikes a chord in our minds to attempt to figure out when the end will come. Some say 40 years or 70 years, a race of people or an entire group of people within a generation. Again, nothing specific.

Our next scripture makes it clear -----

Let’s read Matthew 24:36-41:

No One Knows the Day or Hour

³⁶ “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son^[l] —except the Father alone.

So, who knows when the end will come? It is NOT a human being, angels or JESUS. WHO does? GOD, our FATHER.

What will people be doing as the end comes? It will be business as usual.

 ³⁷ As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. ³⁸ For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. ³⁹ They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be. ⁴⁰ Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left. 

JESUS makes it clear that the activity upon earth will be business as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary was taking place until it becomes obvious that the end has come. When the end comes the Spiritual condition of every person will be clear and immediately those Spiritually born into GOD’S Family will be taken and those not Spiritually born will be left behind.

Does GOD take pleasure in choosing one person over another? NO! But GOD gives very person an opportunity to accept JESUS as his or her Savior. It is the Holy Spirit WHO knocks on the door of every heart and it is the person who opens his or her heart’s door and allows the Holy Spirit to come in or keeps his or her heart’s door closed.

In Revelation 3:20: ²⁰ See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Every person must open the door into his or her heart and invite JESUS to come into his or her life and dwell (abide) within. We are not robots but GOD gave every person the freedom to choose. We have to stumble over JESUS to go to Hell.

In the days of Noah, Noah preached to the people and they ignored his preaching. Noah told them that GOD was going to destroy the people of the world with a flood. Life carried on as usual until the rain began. When the rain began the people realized that Noah was preaching truth. It was then that the people wanted to come aboard the ark but “GOD shut the door.” When the signs JESUS has given become real, those who have been exposed to the truth will know that the end is coming. Some will recognize what is about to happen and others will ignore them.

Human nature has not changed since the days of Noah. Today, the message is the same, “today is the day of salvation.” JESUS may not come today but any person can go into eternity. Eternity is only a heartbeat away. When the end comes, as expressed in Genesis 7:16:

¹⁶ Those that entered, male and female of every creature, entered just as God had commanded him. Then the Lord shut him in. (GOD shut the door,)

Once the end occurs, a person’s destination is final – Heaven or Hell.

People, in general, do not like for Christians to mention Hell. Hell is not a human invention. When a person has been Spirit-born, he or she is eternally changed through the miracle of rebirth by the Holy Spirit and is bound for Heaven.

Switching gears, let’s consider Old Testament scripture regarding the end.

Let’s read Daniel 12:1-13:

The Time of the End

12 “Now at that [end] time Michael, the great [angelic] prince who stands guard over the children of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; but at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the ^[a]Book [of Life], will be rescued. ² Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence). ³ Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever. ⁴ But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the scroll until the end of time. Many will go back and forth and search anxiously [through the scroll], and knowledge [of the purpose of God as revealed by His prophets] will [greatly] increase.”

⁵ Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, there stood two others, the one [angel] on this bank of the river and the other [angel] on that bank of the river. ⁶ And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” ⁷ And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he held up his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and a half a time (three and a half years); and as soon as they finish shattering and crushing the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished. ⁸ As for me, I heard, but I did not understand; so, I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” ⁹ And the angel said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are concealed and sealed up until the end of time. ¹⁰ Many will be purged, purified (made white) and refined, but the wicked will behave wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are [spiritually] wise will understand. ¹¹ From the time that the regular sacrifice [that is, the daily burnt offering] is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up [ruining the temple for worship of the true God], there will be ^[b]1,290 days. ¹² How blessed [happy, fortunate, spiritually prosperous] and beloved is he who waits expectantly [enduring without wavering for the period of tribulation] and comes to the ^[c]1,335 days! ¹³ But as for you (Daniel), go your way until the end [of your ^[d]life]; for you will rest and rise again for your allotted inheritance at the end of the age.”

Footnotes

1. Daniel 12:1 See 10:21; Mal 3:16; Luke 10:20.
2. Daniel 12:11 1,290 is 30 days more than 3 1/2 years of 360 day years (1,260 days). The extra 30 days allows for the judgment that will take place after the second coming of Christ.
3. Daniel 12:12 The difference between this number and that in v 11 is 45 days, an interval that is not explained. The ancient rabbis speculated that when the Messiah comes, He will lead Israel into the wilderness and then disappear for 45 days to test their faith. The true believers will wait for Him, the rest will join other nations and eventually die there.
4. Daniel 12:13 Daniel was now over ninety years of age.

GOD told Daniel, ¹³ But as for you (Daniel), go your way until the end [of your ^[d]life]; for you will rest and rise again for your allotted inheritance at the end of the age.”

In essence, GOD told Daniel to go about the business of life because everything is in place. It is sealed.

What will be is in GOD’S hands and sealed until GOD determines to reveal and set in motion the end. Our part as Christians is to stay alert, watch, wait with great anticipation and share the Good News of Salvation through faith in JESUS. We as Spirit-born people are eternally secure as GOD’S Son or Daughter and we are to maintain a healthy relationship with GOD by following the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Life cannot get better than that – Rejoice!!!

Blessings!!!