Weekly Sermons

What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Matthew 24:1-14

In today’s passage we will see Jesus begin His message on end time events leading up to His second coming and physical Kingdom rule, what we call the Olivet Discourse, because He spoke from the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 24:1-14

The Basic O-I-A Approach to Bible Study:
Observation    -    What does the text say?
How would the first audience have understood this passage in context.

Interpretation    -    What does the text mean?
What timeless theological truths are presented?

Application    -    How does the text apply in my life today?
What does God want me to believe and act on from this text?

Jesus’ words in Matthew 24-25 have plenty of relevance for disciples of all ages, including us now with lots to apply, but in this most Jewish of the gospels Jesus reinforces what the prophets taught about the Tribulation, Antichrist’s rule, Jesus’ 2nd Coming and physical Kingdom rule.

Jesus confronts over-emphasizing the places we worship - V. 1-2

Jesus was the Shekinah glory presence of God (John 1:14). When He had walked in the Temple complex the glory of God re-visited it. He didn’t want His disciples making an idol of the Temple the way others had.

The disciples' questions - V. 3

Their first question asks when the Temple would be destroyed. The historical answer is 70 A.D. by the Roman Army (alluded to in Dan. 9:26 and Luke 21:24). Matthew focuses on Jesus’ answer to the 2nd Question.

I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears he will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. - John 16:12-13

“Birth pains” will lead into the coming Tribulation - V. 4-8

The key phrase is in verse 8 – the beginning of birth pains. When having a baby, every time the contractions get closer together, it increases the sense of anticipation that the baby is near (and anguish for the mother).

Only 1 war will signal the end of the Tribulation – the Battle of Armageddon that corresponds to Revelation 19. Don’t be over-zealous to try to figure out how other stage-setting wars fit in – ‘feel the tug’ that Jesus is coming.

Not only will there be increased seismic activity before the Tribulation, there are also several earthquakes within the time of the Tribulation before Jesus returns – “feel the tug” that Jesus is coming!

Life in the coming Tribulation - V. 9-12

During the first half of the Tribulation, Jews will have one big phony friend, the Antichrist, who will turn on them for the last half of the tribulation – more on that next week. What is true for Jews during the Tribulation will also be true for those who accept Jesus during the Tribulation.

After the born again church is raptured, there will still be lots of church structure left – but it will be devoid of spiritual power – and easy prey to the “go along to get along” mentality of the Antichrist and his False Prophet who will be squeezing religious leaders and institutions.

The timeless call to faithfulness and fruitfulness - V. 13-14

Those who are faithful to Christ until the end of the Tribulation will be alive when Christ returns and get to live during His coming 1,000 year reign. That is also a challenge for any saint of any age as we seek to be faithful until our personal “end” of this life.

Jesus’ point for us today applies regardless of whether or not we go through the coming Tribulation. As you seek to be a faithful and fruitful follower of Jesus Christ don’t be surprised when you encounter troubles – every time it happens “feel the tug” that Jesus is coming!