Waiting For The End Series

Series: When Does It End? [#1]

WAITING FOR THE END

Matthew 24:1-3

Introduction:

We are going to begin studying Matthew 24-25, which is called the Olivet Discourse. This is Jesus’ teachings about the end times. This would lead many to start asking questions such as, “Are you a pre-tribulation person, a post-tribulation person, an a-millennial person, or an I don’t have a clue what you are talking about person”? If you feel confused all of this, do not feel alone or strange. The study of eschatology- The study on end times; has been going on for a long time. Every time, there is a World War, or a great event in Israel’s History like the reestablishment of Israel as a state in 1948; predictions about the end come out. There were many who wondered about Y2K. Even more wondered about September 11, 2001. Many wonder about all of the natural disasters that happen. It brings up the question, “What is going to happen next”? The Apostles had the same questions.

Matthew 24:1-3 (NIV)

1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

The Apostles asked several questions that will be answered in later studies of Matthew 24-25. Tonight, I want to notice the 3 questions. The 1st question was actually asked by Jesus; but it was because He knew what they were thinking about the Temple.

1. Do you see all these things?

The Apostles were noticing how awesome the Temple was.

Mark 13:1 (NIV)

1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

The Temple was a massive complex of buildings including ritual baths, steps, the Market Place; a court for Gentiles, women, men and priests and then the massive Temple proper. Outside the courts were large porches or porticos. Now Jesus plainly predicts the destruction of the Temple. Not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Jesus peers into the future when Temple worship and Temple sacrifice stop.

Remember Jesus called it My Father’s House. The Jewish Temple was a marvel of the ancient world. The 2nd Temple had its beginnings during the time of Ezra after the exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem. The Temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes (in the 2nd Century BC) and then rebuilt by the Maccabees later. Major renovations to the Temple Mount and the Temple began under Herod The Great in about 20 B.C. and continued until 64 A.D.

The Mount of Olives sits just east of Jerusalem above the Kidron Valley. There you have a panoramic view of the entire Temple Mount. Jesus was trying to teach them to look at things through His eyes and not the world’s eyes. The Temple was destroyed. It was burned down; and in order to get the gold from the bricks that it had melted in, the Temple was disassembled stone by stone.

2. When will this happen?

Jesus begins to answer this question later in this chapter; but remember, no one knows when Jesus is returning and when this all ends.

3. What will be the sign?

Again, Jesus will talk about this later in this chapter. Jesus will tell us things that will be happening and that these things are just the beginning.

Conclusion:

The most important thing to remember is- Be ready.